When to Plant Macadamia 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 Macadamia 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
- Mar to Apr, Oct to Nov
- Sun
- Full sun to part shade
- Soil pH
- 5.0–6.5
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.
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 P
- Apr P
- May -
- Jun -
- Jul -
- Aug -
- Sep -
- Oct P
- Nov P
- Dec -
P = Planting window
Grows and crops in sheltered, frost-free Melbourne gardens, though trees stay smaller than further north. Young trees are damaged below about minus 1C, so avoid Tasmania, Ballarat and frosty valleys.
Want a nudge when it is sowing time?
One email a week with what is worth planting in the Cool Temperate zone right now, Macadamia included, plus which veg has jumped in price at the supermarket. Free, and you can stop it in one click.
How to Grow Macadamia in Cool Temperate Australia
- 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.
- Salt
- Moderately sensitive. Copes with a little salt, but the harvest drops on salty bore water.
- pH Range
- 5.0-6.5
- Sunlight
- Full sun for best production. Tolerates light shade.
- Good companions
- Native understorey plants, Coffee (traditional intercrop in Hawaii)
- Keep away from
- Buildings too close (large tree)
Cool Temperate Growing Tips for Macadamia
Recommended Varieties
- M. tetraphylla only
Key Challenges
- Frost damage to flowers
- Slow growth
- May not produce commercially viable crops
Pro Tips
- Marginal for Melbourne. M. tetraphylla may grow as an ornamental but nut production will be limited.
- Inner city heat islands might succeed.
Pests and problems for Macadamia in Cool Temperate
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.
Storing and preserving macadamia
How to keep it
- Freezing (kernel). Crack, vacuum seal or zip-lock bag kernels. Keeps: 12-24 months.
- In-shell storage. Dry husked nuts for 2-3 weeks in shade. Store in hessian bags in cool, dry, ventilated area. Keeps: 12+ months in-shell.
- Roasting. Crack shells (vice, hammer, or dedicated cracker, very hard shell). Roast kernels at 130°C for 15-20 minutes until golden. Keeps: 1 month room temp, 6 months refrigerated.
- Oil pressing. Cold press kernels for premium macadamia oil. Requires press equipment. Keeps: 12 months sealed, refrigerate after opening.
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 Macadamia
When do you plant macadamia in Australia?
It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:
- Tropical (Cairns): Jan, Nov to Dec
- Subtropical (Brisbane): Sep to Nov
- Warm Temperate (Sydney): Sep to Nov
- Cool Temperate (Melbourne): Mar to Apr, Oct to Nov
- Cold / Highland (Canberra): not recommended
- Arid / Semi-Arid (Alice Springs): not recommended
- Mediterranean (Perth): Sep to Nov
When should I plant Macadamia in Melbourne?
Grows and crops in sheltered, frost-free Melbourne gardens, though trees stay smaller than further north. Young trees are damaged below about minus 1C, so avoid Tasmania, Ballarat and frosty valleys.
How do I know when Macadamia are ready to harvest?
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.
What are the best Macadamia varieties for Melbourne?
Recommended varieties for the Cool Temperate zone include: M. tetraphylla only.
What grows well with Macadamia?
Good companion plants for Macadamia include: Native understorey plants, Coffee (traditional intercrop in Hawaii).
Are macadamia salt tolerant?
Only a little. Macadamia are moderately sensitive to salt, so the harvest drops on salty bore water. Mix salty water with rainwater, and mulch the bed.
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.