When to Plant Avocado in Melbourne, Cool Temperate Guide

Plant November to December. Right now in September it is out of season. The next planting month is November.

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

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.

Avocado

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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). Most commercial varieties are Guatemalan or Guatemalan-Mexican hybrids. Hass dominates but is not the only option. Trees can become VERY large (15m+) if not managed. Grafted trees fruit in 3-5 years; seedlings are a genetic lottery and take 7-15 years.

Best Planting Window for Cool Temperate

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

P = Planting window

Only attempt in warmest microclimates. Plant November-December.

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How to Grow Avocado in Cool Temperate Australia

When to Plant

Only attempt in warmest microclimates. Plant November-December.

Soil
Extremely well-drained, slightly acidite 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.
pH Range
5.5-6.5
Sunlight
Full sun. Protect young trees from harsh afternoon sun with shade cloth for first 2 years.

Companion plants: Comfrey, Sweet potato ground cover, Nasturtium

Avoid planting near: Anything that needs regular digging around root zone. Avocado roots are shallow and easily damaged

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.

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.

Where to next

What avocado costs in the shops right now, retailer by retailer, updated daily.

Also worth sowing in the cool temperate zone this September: Ginger, Sweet Corn, Chilli Peppers and Snow Peas.

The pest most likely to find your avocado: Rats and Mice.

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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:

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 Cool Temperate zone, Melbourne is its reference city.