When to Plant Kiwifruit 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 Kiwifruit 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.
- Planting window
- Jul to Aug
- Sun
- Full sun
Kiwifruit is a vigorous deciduous climbing vine that needs a sturdy pergola or fence. Plants are male or female, so you need both. Plant dormant vines in winter.
Published · By GardenBuddy.au
Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Best Planting Window for Cold / Highland
- Jan -
- Feb -
- Mar -
- Apr -
- May -
- Jun -
- Jul P
- Aug P
- Sep -
- Oct -
- Nov -
- Dec -
P = Planting window
Winter chill is plentiful, but spring frost is the risk. Spring frost can destroy new growth and flower buds (our inference, see gaps). Daleys lists Kiwiberry (hardy kiwi) as tolerating very low winter temperatures and as a safer pick. Plant late winter. Harvest months are our estimate, later in cooler areas (Love the Garden).
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How to Grow Kiwifruit in Cold / Highland Australia
- Soil
- Free draining soil. Kiwifruit hate wet feet (Love the Garden). Acidic soil suits it.
- Salt
- Sensitive. Struggles with salty bore water or salty soil. Give it rainwater if you can.
- Sunlight
- Full sun (Love the Garden).
- Keep away from
- Waterlogged soil, Frost pockets
Cold / Highland Growing Tips for Kiwifruit
Recommended Varieties
- Hayward (standard, needs more chill)
- Dexter, Bruno, Sweetie, Waynes, H4 (lower chill, Daleys)
- Kiwiberry Issai (hardy, self fertile)
Key Challenges
- Spring frost on new shoots
- Short season
Pro Tips
- Try Kiwiberry
- Plant in a sheltered spot
Pests and problems for Kiwifruit in Cold / Highland
Harvesting Kiwifruit
What kiwifruit costs in the shops right now, retailer by retailer, updated daily.
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 Kiwifruit
When do you plant kiwifruit in Australia?
It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:
- Tropical (Cairns): not recommended
- Subtropical (Brisbane): Jun to Aug
- Warm Temperate (Sydney): Jun to Aug
- Cool Temperate (Melbourne): Jun to Aug
- Cold / Highland (Canberra): Jul to Aug
- Arid / Semi-Arid (Alice Springs): Jun to Aug
- Mediterranean (Perth): Jun to Aug
When should I plant Kiwifruit in Canberra?
Winter chill is plentiful, but spring frost is the risk. Spring frost can destroy new growth and flower buds (our inference, see gaps). Daleys lists Kiwiberry (hardy kiwi) as tolerating very low winter temperatures and as a safer pick. Plant late winter. Harvest months are our estimate, later in cooler areas (Love the Garden).
What are the best Kiwifruit varieties for Canberra?
Recommended varieties for the Cold / Highland zone include: Hayward (standard, needs more chill), Dexter, Bruno, Sweetie, Waynes, H4 (lower chill, Daleys), Kiwiberry Issai (hardy, self fertile).
Are kiwifruit salt tolerant?
No. Kiwifruit 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.