When to Plant Grumichama 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.
Jump to section
This Grumichama 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
- 6.6–7.3
Grumichama, the Brazilian cherry, is a slow growing evergreen tree of 2 to 5 m with glossy leaves and sweet dark cherry like fruit in late spring (Daleys).
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
You might be able to grow it here under the right conditions. Daleys calls it frost hardy and the tree has survived minus 3 degrees (Morton), but a Happy Valley SA review found its site too cold and a Coburg VIC review needs wind protection. No source gives harvest months here, so none are listed. Plant in late spring in a warm sheltered spot.
Want a nudge when it is sowing time?
One email a week with what is worth planting in the Cool Temperate zone right now, Grumichama included, plus which veg has jumped in price at the supermarket. Free, and you can stop it in one click.
How to Grow Grumichama in Cool Temperate Australia
- Soil
- Fertile, free draining soil with compost and mulch (Daleys). Acid sand suits it better than limestone (Morton).
- Salt
- Sensitive. Struggles with salty bore water or salty soil. Give it rainwater if you can.
- pH Range
- 6.6-7.3
- Sunlight
- Full sun to light shade; shelter from wind (Daleys review).
- Keep away from
- Limestone or alkaline soil (Morton), Windy sites (Daleys review)
Cool Temperate Growing Tips for Grumichama
Recommended Varieties
- Dwarf black in a pot (Daleys)
Key Challenges
- Cold wet winters
- Leaf spot (Daleys review)
Pro Tips
- Pot of 35 L or more under cover in winter (Daleys)
Pests and problems for Grumichama in Cool Temperate
Harvesting Grumichama
When ready: Fruit turns from red to glossy black and softens, about 30 days after flowering (Morton).
How to harvest: Pick by hand daily as fruit blackens; half ripe fruit suits jam and pies (Morton).
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 Grumichama
When do you plant grumichama in Australia?
It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:
- Tropical (Cairns): Jan to Mar, Nov to Dec
- Subtropical (Brisbane): Jan to Mar, Sep to Dec
- Warm Temperate (Sydney): Sep to Nov
- Cool Temperate (Melbourne): Oct to Nov
- Cold / Highland (Canberra): not recommended
- Arid / Semi-Arid (Alice Springs): not recommended
- Mediterranean (Perth): Sep to Nov
When should I plant Grumichama in Melbourne?
You might be able to grow it here under the right conditions. Daleys calls it frost hardy and the tree has survived minus 3 degrees (Morton), but a Happy Valley SA review found its site too cold and a Coburg VIC review needs wind protection. No source gives harvest months here, so none are listed. Plant in late spring in a warm sheltered spot.
How do I know when Grumichama are ready to harvest?
Fruit turns from red to glossy black and softens, about 30 days after flowering (Morton).
What are the best Grumichama varieties for Melbourne?
Recommended varieties for the Cool Temperate zone include: Dwarf black in a pot (Daleys).
Are grumichama salt tolerant?
No. Grumichama 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.