When to Plant Blackberry in Brisbane, Subtropical Guide
What this month normally looks like in Subtropical
In October the Subtropical zone normally runs 27°C by day and 15°C overnight, with about 77 mm of rain over 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, 33 postcodes, SILO.
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This Blackberry 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.
- Planting window
- Jun to Aug
- Sun
- Full sun
- Soil pH
- about 6 (GrowVeg)
Wild blackberry (Rubus fruticosus agg.) is a Weed of National Significance and is declared in every state and territory. Grow only named thornless garden cultivars such as Chester or Thornfree.
Published · By GardenBuddy.au
Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Best Planting Window for Subtropical
- Jan -
- Feb -
- Mar -
- Apr -
- May -
- Jun P
- Jul P
- Aug P
- Sep -
- Oct -
- Nov -
- Dec -
P = Planting window
Warm winter climates are a poor fit (Fruit Tree Lane), so flowering and fruit set can be poor in the subtropics. Try a protected spot away from hot afternoon sun. Harvest months are our estimate.
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How to Grow Blackberry in Subtropical Australia
- Soil
- Fertile soil enriched with compost, pH about 6 (GrowVeg).
- Salt
- Sensitive. Struggles with salty bore water or salty soil. Give it rainwater if you can.
- pH Range
- about 6 (GrowVeg)
- Sunlight
- Full sun in cool areas. Shelter from hot afternoon sun in warm temperate areas (Fruit Tree Lane).
- Keep away from
- Bushland edges, Warm winter sites
Subtropical Growing Tips for Blackberry
Recommended Varieties
- Chester (later fruiting)
- Thornfree
- Waldo, Adrienne
Key Challenges
- Too little chill
- Hot afternoon sun
Pro Tips
- Protected spot
- Net against birds and fruit fly
Pests and problems for Blackberry in Subtropical
Harvesting Blackberry
How to harvest: Pick over a long season as the fruit ripens (GrowVeg).
What blackberry 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 Blackberry
When do you plant blackberry in Australia?
It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:
- Tropical (Cairns): not recommended
- Subtropical (Brisbane): Jun to Aug
- Warm Temperate (Sydney): Jun to Aug
- Cool Temperate (Melbourne): Jun to Aug
- Cold / Highland (Canberra): Jun to Aug
- Arid / Semi-Arid (Alice Springs): not recommended
- Mediterranean (Perth): Jun to Aug
When should I plant Blackberry in Brisbane?
Warm winter climates are a poor fit (Fruit Tree Lane), so flowering and fruit set can be poor in the subtropics. Try a protected spot away from hot afternoon sun. Harvest months are our estimate.
What are the best Blackberry varieties for Brisbane?
Recommended varieties for the Subtropical zone include: Chester (later fruiting), Thornfree, Waldo, Adrienne.
Are blackberry salt tolerant?
No. Blackberry 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 Subtropical zone, Brisbane is its reference city.