When to Plant Grapefruit in Melbourne, Cool Temperate Guide
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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This Grapefruit 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
- Soil pH
- 6.0–7.0
- Shop price
- $3.90/kg at one shop
Large citrus tree that needs warm conditions and ample space. Produces heavy crops of tart-sweet fruit that hang on the tree for months (natural storage). Needs more heat than most citrus to develop sweetness.
Published · By GardenBuddy.au
Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.
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
Needs the warmest, most sheltered spot, such as against a north-facing wall. Fruit takes over a year to ripen and stays sharper than in warmer districts.
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How to Grow Grapefruit in Cool Temperate Australia
- Soil
- Well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral. Avoid heavy waterlogged clay. Sandy loam ideal. All citrus hate wet feet.
- Salt
- Sensitive. Struggles with salty bore water or salty soil. Give it rainwater if you can.
- pH Range
- 6.0-7.0
- Sunlight
- Full sun, minimum 8 hours. More sun = sweeter fruit. North-facing position ideal.
- Good companions
- Nasturtium, Marigold, Comfrey
- Keep away from
- Grass to trunk (competition)
Cool Temperate Growing Tips for Grapefruit
Recommended Varieties
- Wheeny (most cold-tolerant)
- Marsh
Key Challenges
- Insufficient heat for sweetness
- Fruit very tart
- Frost risk
- Citrus gall wasp
Pro Tips
- Grapefruit is marginal in Melbourne. Fruit will be extremely sour most years.
- If you want sour grapefruit for marmalade, it works. For eating, it's disappointing.
- Consider a lemon or mandarin instead.
Pests and problems for Grapefruit in Cool Temperate
Harvesting Grapefruit
When ready: Skin turns yellow (white varieties) or develops pink blush (red varieties). Fruit feels heavy for size. Taste test is the best indicator. Grapefruit sweetens the longer it stays on tree (can hang 6+ months).
How to harvest: Cut with secateurs or twist-pull. Don't tear bark. Harvest in dry weather.
Storing and preserving grapefruit
How to keep it
- Dehydrated slices. Slice 3-4mm thin. Dehydrate at 55°C for 10-14 hours. Use in drinks, cooking, decoration. Keeps: 12 months.
- Marmalade. Slice fruit including peel. Soak overnight. Cook with sugar (1:1 by weight) to setting point. Jar hot. Keeps: 12 months.
- Juicing. Juice and freeze in ice cube trays, then bag. Or pasteurise at 72°C for bottling. Keeps: 12 months frozen.
- Candied peel. Boil peel strips 3 times (changing water) to remove bitterness. Simmer in sugar syrup until translucent. Dry on rack. Keeps: 3 months.
What grapefruit costs in the shops right now, retailer by retailer, updated daily.
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- Soil and weather from your nearest station
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Common Questions About Grapefruit
When do you plant grapefruit in Australia?
It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:
- Tropical (Cairns): Oct to Dec
- Subtropical (Brisbane): Sep to Nov
- Warm Temperate (Sydney): Mar to Apr, Sep to Nov
- Cool Temperate (Melbourne): Oct to Nov
- Cold / Highland (Canberra): not recommended
- Arid / Semi-Arid (Alice Springs): Mar to Apr, Sep to Oct
- Mediterranean (Perth): Apr to May, Sep to Nov
When should I plant Grapefruit in Melbourne?
Needs the warmest, most sheltered spot, such as against a north-facing wall. Fruit takes over a year to ripen and stays sharper than in warmer districts.
How do I know when Grapefruit are ready to harvest?
Skin turns yellow (white varieties) or develops pink blush (red varieties). Fruit feels heavy for size. Taste test is the best indicator. Grapefruit sweetens the longer it stays on tree (can hang 6+ months).
What are the best Grapefruit varieties for Melbourne?
Recommended varieties for the Cool Temperate zone include: Wheeny (most cold-tolerant), Marsh.
What grows well with Grapefruit?
Good companion plants for Grapefruit include: Nasturtium, Marigold, Comfrey.
Are grapefruit salt tolerant?
No. Grapefruit 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.