When to Plant Avocado in Brisbane, Subtropical Guide

Plant September to November. Right now in September you can plant.

Published · Last reviewed · By Garden Buddy
Growing advice is reviewed by hand. Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.

This Avocado guide is written for the Subtropical zone, which takes in Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.

Not your zone? Cairns Sydney Melbourne Canberra Alice Springs Perth

Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.

Avocado

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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). Most commercial varieties are Guatemalan or Guatemalan-Mexican hybrids. Hass dominates but is not the only option. Trees can become VERY large (15m+) if not managed. Grafted trees fruit in 3-5 years; seedlings are a genetic lottery and take 7-15 years.

Best Planting Window for Subtropical

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
- - - - - - - - P P P -

P = Planting window

Plant September-November. SEQ is prime avocado country. Warm enough for good production, enough winter cool for fruit quality.

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How to Grow Avocado in Subtropical Australia

When to Plant

Plant September-November. SEQ is prime avocado country. Warm enough for good production, enough winter cool for fruit quality.

Soil
Extremely well-drained, slightly acidite 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.
pH Range
5.5-6.5
Sunlight
Full sun. Protect young trees from harsh afternoon sun with shade cloth for first 2 years.

Companion plants: Comfrey, Sweet potato ground cover, Nasturtium

Avoid planting near: Anything that needs regular digging around root zone. Avocado roots are shallow and easily damaged

Subtropical Growing Tips for Avocado

Recommended Varieties

  • Hass (A-type)
  • Shepard (B-type)
  • Wurtz (A-type, dwarf)
  • Bacon (B-type)
  • Reed (A-type)

Key Challenges

  • Summer storms can cause waterlogging
  • Phytophthora in poorly drained sites
  • Fruit fly

Pro Tips

  • This is ideal avocado country. Plant an A-type and B-type together.
  • Hass and Shepard is the classic combination for cross-pollination.
  • Raise planting mound 50cm above surrounding grade in anything other than perfect sandy loam.

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.

Where to next

What avocado costs in the shops right now, retailer by retailer, updated daily.

Also worth sowing in the subtropical zone this September: Lemongrass, Ginger, Beetroot and Chilli Peppers.

The pest most likely to find your avocado: Rats and Mice.

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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:

Which zone am I in?

Type your postcode into the box under the heading and the page 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 Subtropical zone, Brisbane is its reference city.