When to Plant Avocado in Melbourne, Cool Temperate Guide

Plant now in Cool Temperate
What this month normally looks like in Cool Temperate

In October the Cool Temperate zone normally runs 19°C by day and 8°C overnight, with about 67 mm of rain over 9 or 10 wet days. The coldest October night on record across the zone was -3.0°C, so a late frost is not out of the question. Averages 1991 to 2026, 28 postcodes, SILO.

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  1. Planting calendar
  2. How to grow
  3. Local tips and varieties
  4. Pests and problems
  5. Harvesting
  6. Storing and preserving
  7. Other zones and related crops
  8. Common questions

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This Avocado guide is written for the Cool Temperate zone, which takes in Melbourne, Hobart and Geelong. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.

Not your zone? Cairns Brisbane Sydney Canberra Alice Springs Perth

Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.

Planting window
Oct to Nov
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.

Avocado

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Best Planting Window for Cool Temperate

  • Jan -
  • Feb -
  • Mar -
  • Apr -
  • May -
  • Jun -
  • Jul -
  • Aug -
  • Sep -
  • Oct P
  • Nov P
  • Dec -

P = Planting window

Only for frost-free, sheltered, well-drained spots in Melbourne. Choose cold-tolerant types such as Bacon or Fuerte, with Hass as a pollinator. Unlikely to crop in Tasmania, Ballarat or frosty valleys.

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How to Grow Avocado in Cool Temperate 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

Members see the exact salt threshold, how much harvest it loses as salt rises, and what to grow instead. See what members get

Cool Temperate Growing Tips for Avocado

Recommended Varieties

  • Bacon (most cold-hardy)
  • Fuerte (borderline)

Key Challenges

  • Frost kills young trees outright
  • Insufficient warmth for fruit development
  • Very slow growth

Pro Tips

  • Marginal to unsuitable for most of Melbourne. Inner city heat islands may succeed with Bacon.
  • Container growing possible. Bring inside for winter.
  • Honestly, this is a battle against climate. Consider buying avocados from Bundaberg instead.

Pests and problems for Avocado in Cool Temperate

Members see each pest score and pest risk alerts for your area. See what members get

Browse the full pest library →

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.

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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

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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:

When should I plant Avocado in Melbourne?

Only for frost-free, sheltered, well-drained spots in Melbourne. Choose cold-tolerant types such as Bacon or Fuerte, with Hass as a pollinator. Unlikely to crop in Tasmania, Ballarat or frosty valleys.

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 are the best Avocado varieties for Melbourne?

Recommended varieties for the Cool Temperate zone include: Bacon (most cold-hardy), Fuerte (borderline).

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 Cool Temperate zone, Melbourne is its reference city.