When to Plant Avocado in Canberra, Cold / Highland Guide
What this month normally looks like in Cold / Highland
In October the Cold / Highland zone normally runs 20°C by day and 7°C overnight, with about 58 mm of rain over 7 or 8 wet days. The coldest October night on record across the zone was -6.4°C, so a late frost is not out of the question. Averages 1991 to 2026, 15 postcodes, SILO.
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This Avocado guide is written for the Cold / Highland zone, which takes in Canberra, Cooma and Bright. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.
Not your zone? Cairns Brisbane Sydney Melbourne Alice Springs Perth
Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.
- Sun
- Full sun to part shade
- Soil pH
- 5.5–6.5
- Shop price
- $8.19/kg at one shop
Evergreen subtropical tree that has become Australia's most fashionable fruit. Three races: Mexican (cold-hardy, small fruit), Guatemalan (medium hardiness), and West Indian (tropical only).
Published · By GardenBuddy.au
Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Best Planting Window for Cold / Highland
Avocado is not recommended for Cold / Highland.
Not recommended. Avocados cannot survive highland winters.
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How to Grow Avocado in Cold / Highland Australia
- Soil
- Extremely well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral. Avocados CANNOT tolerate waterlogged roots. Phytophthora root rot is the #1 killer. Sandy loam ideal. Heavy clay is death. If you have clay, build a raised mound 50-60cm high.
- Salt
- Sensitive. Struggles with salty bore water or salty soil. Give it rainwater if you can.
- pH Range
- 5.5-6.5
- Sunlight
- Full sun. Protect young trees from harsh afternoon sun with shade cloth for first 2 years.
- Good companions
- Nasturtium, Comfrey
- Keep away from
- Anything that needs regular digging around root zone. Avocado roots are shallow and easily damaged
Cold / Highland Growing Tips for Avocado
Key Challenges
- Killing frosts
- Insufficient heat units
- No realistic variety options
Pro Tips
- Do not attempt avocados in cold highland zones. Grow apples and pears instead.
Pests and problems for Avocado in Cold / Highland
- Queensland Fruit Fly Watch
- Phytophthora Root Rot DRAINAGE IS EVERYTHING. Plant on mounds in any soil heavier than sandy loam. Never over-water. Use resistant rootstocks (Dusa, Duke 7)... Watch
- Anthracnose Prune for open canopy. Pick fruit carefully without damage. Store in cool conditions. Healthy well-nourished trees have better resistance. Watch
Harvesting Avocado
When ready: Avocados do NOT ripen on the tree. Harvest when fruit reaches full size and skin begins to lose glossy sheen (Hass turns slightly purple-black). Pick one and leave at room temperature. If it ripens evenly in 7-10 days without rubbery texture, the crop is ready.
How to harvest: Cut stem with secateurs leaving 1cm stub. Never pull fruit. Handle gently. Bruises show as brown flesh.
Storing and preserving avocado
How to keep it
- Freezing (puree). Mash ripe flesh with 1 tbsp lemon juice per avocado. Pack into containers leaving 1cm headspace. Freeze flat in zip-lock bags. Keeps: 4-6 months.
- Guacamole freezing. Make guacamole, press plastic wrap directly onto surface (no air), freeze in portions. Keeps: 3-4 months.
- Oil infusion. Avocado oil can be pressed at home with appropriate equipment but commercial pressing is more practical. Keeps: Variable.
What avocado costs in the shops right now, retailer by retailer, updated daily.
What members get
- Soil and weather from your nearest station
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- Price history and price alerts
- Pest risk alerts for your area
- Full salt and canning detail
Common Questions About Avocado
When do you plant avocado in Australia?
It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:
- Tropical (Cairns): Oct to Nov
- Subtropical (Brisbane): Sep to Nov
- Warm Temperate (Sydney): Sep to Nov
- Cool Temperate (Melbourne): Oct to Nov
- Cold / Highland (Canberra): not recommended
- Arid / Semi-Arid (Alice Springs): Sep to Oct
- Mediterranean (Perth): Sep to Nov
When should I plant Avocado in Canberra?
Not recommended. Avocados cannot survive highland winters.
How do I know when Avocado are ready to harvest?
Avocados do NOT ripen on the tree. Harvest when fruit reaches full size and skin begins to lose glossy sheen (Hass turns slightly purple-black). Pick one and leave at room temperature. If it ripens evenly in 7-10 days without rubbery texture, the crop is ready.
What grows well with Avocado?
Good companion plants for Avocado include: Nasturtium, Comfrey.
Are avocado salt tolerant?
No. Avocado 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 Cold / Highland zone, Canberra is its reference city.