When to Plant Tamarillo in Alice Springs, Arid / Semi-Arid Guide
What this month normally looks like in Arid / Semi-Arid
In October the Arid / Semi-Arid zone normally runs 32°C by day and 16°C overnight, with about 19 mm of rain over 2 or 3 wet days. The coldest October night on record across the zone was 1.9°C, so a late frost is not out of the question. Averages 1991 to 2026, 10 postcodes, SILO.
Jump to section
This Tamarillo guide is written for the Arid / Semi-Arid zone, which takes in Alice Springs, Broken Hill and Port Augusta. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.
Not your zone? Cairns Brisbane Sydney Melbourne Canberra Perth
Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.
- Planting window
- Aug to Dec
- Days to harvest
- about 86 weeks
- Sun
- Full sun to part shade
- Soil pH
- 5.8–7.0
Tamarillo, the tree tomato, is a fast growing small tree that fruits from about 18 months and lives 2 to 5 years (Green Harvest).
Published · By GardenBuddy.au
Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Planting Calendar for Arid / Semi-Arid
- Jan -
- Feb -
- Mar -
- Apr -
- May -
- Jun -
- Jul -
- Aug S
- Sep S
- Oct T
- Nov T
- Dec T
S = Seed Tray T = Transplant D = Direct Sow
Want a nudge when it is sowing time?
One email a week with what is worth planting in the Arid / Semi-Arid zone right now, Tamarillo included, plus which veg has jumped in price at the supermarket. Free, and you can stop it in one click.
How to Grow Tamarillo in Arid / Semi-Arid Australia
- Soil
- Rich, free draining; will not take wet feet (Green Harvest, Seed Collection).
- Salt
- Sensitive. Struggles with salty bore water or salty soil. Give it rainwater if you can.
- pH Range
- 5.8-7.0
- Sunlight
- Full sun; partial shade in the tropics (Yates).
- Keep away from
- Beds that had wilt in tomatoes or potatoes (Seed Collection), Windy spots
Arid / Semi-Arid Growing Tips for Tamarillo
Key Challenges
- Wind
- Hot sun
- Dry air
Pro Tips
- Shade cloth
- Steady water
Pests and problems for Tamarillo in Arid / Semi-Arid
Harvesting Tamarillo
When ready: Full red or gold colour and a slight give; fruit forms in autumn (Yates).
How to harvest: Twist or cut with a short stalk.
Storing and preserving tamarillo
How to keep it
- Freezing. Scald, peel, freeze halves or puree. Keeps: 8 to 12 months.
- Chutney or sauce. Tested recipe base, water bath for altitude (NCHFP). Keeps: 1 year.
What members get
- Soil and weather from your nearest station
- An email when it's time to sow
- Your own garden plan, including planning from a photo
- Price history and price alerts
- Pest risk alerts for your area
- Full salt and canning detail
Common Questions About Tamarillo
When do you plant tamarillo in Australia?
It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:
- Tropical (Cairns): all year
- Subtropical (Brisbane): Jan, Aug to Dec
- Warm Temperate (Sydney): Aug to Nov
- Cool Temperate (Melbourne): Sep to Nov
- Cold / Highland (Canberra): not recommended
- Arid / Semi-Arid (Alice Springs): Aug to Dec
- Mediterranean (Perth): Aug to Nov
Can you grow tamarillo all year round in Alice Springs?
No. In the Arid / Semi-Arid zone the planting months are Aug to Dec. Outside that window it either bolts, sulks or gets cut down by the weather.
When should I plant Tamarillo in Alice Springs?
You might be able to grow it here under the right conditions. The Seed Collection chart allows arid sowing from August or September to December, but the plant wants shelter from wind and hot afternoon sun (Yates, Green Harvest) and steady water. Fruit forms in autumn (Yates).
How do I know when Tamarillo are ready to harvest?
Full red or gold colour and a slight give; fruit forms in autumn (Yates).
Are tamarillo salt tolerant?
No. Tamarillo are salt-sensitive, one of the more sensitive veggies. Use rainwater if your bore water is salty, or grow them in a raised bed of fresh mix if your soil is.
Which zone am I in?
Type your postcode into the box near the top of the page and it tells you, and links this crop in your own zone if it differs. Or look it up on the grow zone map. This page is the Arid / Semi-Arid zone, Alice Springs is its reference city.