When to Plant Yuzu 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 Yuzu 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
- Sep to Nov
- Days to harvest
- about 156 weeks
- Sun
- Full sun
- Soil pH
- 6.0–7.5
Yuzu is a cold hardy, thorny citrus tree grown for its very fragrant rind and tart juice, which are used in Japanese cooking. It suits sunny spots with well drained soil, and it also grows well in a large pot.
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 P
- Oct P
- Nov P
- Dec -
P = Planting window
Plant in spring into a sunny, sheltered spot. Notably cold hardy down to -9°C once established.
Want a nudge when it is sowing time?
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How to Grow Yuzu in Cool Temperate Australia
- Soil
- Rich, organic-rich well-drained loamy soil
- Salt
- Sensitive. Struggles with salty bore water or salty soil. Give it rainwater if you can.
- pH Range
- 6.0-7.5
- Sunlight
- Full sun, at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sun a day
- Spacing
- 200-300cm apart, 350cm between rows
- Watering
- Water deeply and less often, letting the top of the soil dry between waterings.
Cool Temperate Growing Tips for Yuzu
Key Challenges
- Aphids: Sap-sucking, virus transmission
- Queensland Fruit Fly: Destroys ripe fruit
- Spined Citrus Bug: Native green shield bug with distinctive shoulder spines
- Scale Insects: Sap sucking reduces vigour
Pro Tips
- Apply a balanced organic citrus fertiliser three times a year in spring, summer, and early autumn, supplementing with zinc and iron trace elements
- Apply a 5 to 10 cm layer of organic mulch around the dripline, keeping it 10 cm clear of the main trunk to prevent collar rot
- Stake young trees loosely with flexible ties to protect the main graft union and trunk against wind damage
Pests and problems for Yuzu in Cool Temperate
- Aphids Aphids: Sap-sucking, virus transmission Watch
- Root Rot (Phytophthora) Plant on a raised mound with compost and gypsum in clay soils, or use a large pot with good drainage. Watch
- Queensland Fruit Fly Queensland Fruit Fly: Destroys ripe fruit Watch
- Spined Citrus Bug Spined Citrus Bug: Native green shield bug with distinctive shoulder spines Watch
- Scale Insects Scale Insects: Sap sucking reduces vigour Watch
Harvesting Yuzu
When ready: Rind transitions from green to bright golden yellow in late autumn or early winter, releasing a distinct aromatic fragrance
How to harvest: Clip fruit stem cleanly close to the rind using sharp secateurs to avoid tearing skin on sharp thorns
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 Yuzu
When do you plant yuzu in Australia?
It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:
- Tropical (Cairns): Sep to Nov
- Subtropical (Brisbane): Sep to Nov
- Warm Temperate (Sydney): Sep to Nov
- Cool Temperate (Melbourne): Sep to Nov
- Cold / Highland (Canberra): Sep to Nov
- Arid / Semi-Arid (Alice Springs): Sep to Nov
- Mediterranean (Perth): Sep to Nov
When should I plant Yuzu in Melbourne?
Plant in spring into a sunny, sheltered spot. Notably cold hardy down to -9°C once established.
How do I know when Yuzu are ready to harvest?
Rind transitions from green to bright golden yellow in late autumn or early winter, releasing a distinct aromatic fragrance
Are yuzu salt tolerant?
No. Yuzu 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.