When to Plant Avocado in Perth, Mediterranean Guide
What this month normally looks like in Mediterranean
In October the Mediterranean zone normally runs 22°C by day and 10°C overnight, with about 38 mm of rain over 6 or 7 wet days. The coldest October night on record across the zone was -0.2°C, so a late frost is not out of the question. Averages 1991 to 2026, 19 postcodes, SILO.
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This Avocado guide is written for the Mediterranean zone, which takes in Perth, Adelaide and Bunbury. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.
Not your zone? Cairns Brisbane Sydney Melbourne Canberra Alice Springs
Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.
- Planting window
- Sep to Nov
- Sun
- Full sun to part shade
- Soil pH
- 5.5–6.5
- Shop price
- $8.19/kg at one shop
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).
Published · By GardenBuddy.au
Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Best Planting Window for Mediterranean
- Jan -
- Feb -
- Mar -
- Apr -
- May -
- Jun -
- Jul -
- Aug -
- Sep P
- Oct P
- Nov P
- Dec -
P = Planting window
Plant grafted trees in spring in free-draining soil, sheltered from hot drying winds. Fruit is picked from autumn into early summer depending on variety; Adelaide needs a frost-free sheltered spot.
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How to Grow Avocado in Mediterranean Australia
- Soil
- Extremely well-drained, slightly acidic 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.
- Salt
- Sensitive. Struggles with salty bore water or salty soil. Give it rainwater if you can.
- pH Range
- 5.5-6.5
- Sunlight
- Full sun. Protect young trees from harsh afternoon sun with shade cloth for first 2 years.
- Good companions
- Nasturtium, Comfrey
- Keep away from
- Anything that needs regular digging around root zone. Avocado roots are shallow and easily damaged
Mediterranean Growing Tips for Avocado
Recommended Varieties
- Hass (A-type)
- Bacon (B-type)
- Fuerte (B-type)
- Reed (A-type)
Key Challenges
- Dry summers need consistent irrigation
- Some frost risk in Adelaide Hills
- Mediterranean fruit fly in WA
Pro Tips
- Perth's climate is excellent for avocados. Warm enough, mild winters.
- Adelaide is more marginal. Stick to sheltered north-facing positions.
- Irrigation management is key in dry mediterranean summers.
Pests and problems for Avocado in Mediterranean
- Queensland Fruit Fly Watch
- Phytophthora Root Rot DRAINAGE IS EVERYTHING. Plant on mounds in any soil heavier than sandy loam. Never over-water. Use resistant rootstocks (Dusa, Duke 7)... Watch
- Anthracnose Prune for open canopy. Pick fruit carefully without damage. Store in cool conditions. Healthy well-nourished trees have better resistance. Watch
- Mediterranean fruit fly Mediterranean fruit fly in WA Watch
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.
Storing and preserving avocado
How to keep it
- Freezing (puree). Mash ripe flesh with 1 tbsp lemon juice per avocado. Pack into containers leaving 1cm headspace. Freeze flat in zip-lock bags. Keeps: 4-6 months.
- Guacamole freezing. Make guacamole, press plastic wrap directly onto surface (no air), freeze in portions. Keeps: 3-4 months.
- Oil infusion. Avocado oil can be pressed at home with appropriate equipment but commercial pressing is more practical. Keeps: Variable.
What avocado costs in the shops right now, retailer by retailer, updated daily.
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 Avocado
When do you plant avocado in Australia?
It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:
- Tropical (Cairns): Oct to Nov
- Subtropical (Brisbane): Sep to Nov
- Warm Temperate (Sydney): Sep to Nov
- Cool Temperate (Melbourne): Oct to Nov
- Cold / Highland (Canberra): not recommended
- Arid / Semi-Arid (Alice Springs): Sep to Oct
- Mediterranean (Perth): Sep to Nov
When should I plant Avocado in Perth?
Plant grafted trees in spring in free-draining soil, sheltered from hot drying winds. Fruit is picked from autumn into early summer depending on variety; Adelaide needs a frost-free sheltered spot.
How do I know when Avocado are ready to harvest?
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.
What are the best Avocado varieties for Perth?
Recommended varieties for the Mediterranean zone include: Hass (A-type), Bacon (B-type), Fuerte (B-type), Reed (A-type).
What grows well with Avocado?
Good companion plants for Avocado include: Nasturtium, Comfrey.
Are avocado salt tolerant?
No. Avocado 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 Mediterranean zone, Perth is its reference city.