When to Plant Macadamia in Canberra, Cold / Highland Guide

Not recommended for the Cold / Highland zone. The window below explains why.

Published · Last reviewed · By Garden Buddy
Growing advice is reviewed by hand. Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.

This Macadamia 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.

Macadamia

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Australia's only commercially significant native food plant. Large evergreen tree native to QLD/NSW rainforest. Two species: M. integrifolia (smooth shell, commercial) and M. tetraphylla (rough shell, smaller tree, more cold-tolerant). Grafted trees begin producing in 5-7 years but don't reach full production until 12-15 years. Long-lived (100+ years). Beautiful ornamental shade tree with glossy leaves and pendulous white/pink flower racemes. The nuts have the hardest shell of any commercial nut.

Best Planting Window for Cold / Highland

Macadamia is not recommended for Cold / Highland.

Not suitable.

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How to Grow Macadamia in Cold / Highland Australia

When to Plant

Not suitable.

Soil
Well-drained, slightly acidic, volcanic or basaltic soils ideal (reflecting native habitat). Can grow in sandy soils with organic amendment. Cannot tolerate waterlogged conditions.
pH Range
5.0-6.5
Sunlight
Full sun for best production. Tolerates light shade.

Companion plants: Native understorey plants, Coffee (traditional intercrop in Hawaii)

Avoid planting near: Buildings too close (large tree)

Cold / Highland Growing Tips for Macadamia

Key Challenges

  • Frost kills trees

Pro Tips

  • Do not plant macadamias in cold highland zones.

Harvesting Macadamia

When ready: Nuts fall from tree when mature (natural abscission). Husk splits or starts to brown. Harvest from ground. Do not pick from tree. Harvest every 2-3 weeks during drop season.

How to harvest: Collect fallen nuts from ground. Remove husk within 24 hours (prevents mould). Dry in-shell nuts in single layer in shade for 2-3 weeks.

Where to next

Also worth sowing in the cold and highland zone this September: Sweet Corn, Beetroot, Chilli Peppers and Snow Peas.

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Common Questions About Macadamia

When do you plant macadamia in Australia?

It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:

Which zone am I in?

Type your postcode into the box under the heading and the page 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.