When to Plant Avocado in Sydney, Warm Temperate Guide
What this month normally looks like in Warm Temperate
In October the Warm Temperate zone normally runs 24°C by day and 13°C overnight, with about 66 mm of rain over 7 or 8 wet days. The coldest October night on record across the zone was -1.5°C, so a late frost is not out of the question. Averages 1991 to 2026, 153 postcodes, SILO.
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This Avocado guide is written for the Warm Temperate zone, which takes in Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.
Not your zone? Cairns Brisbane Melbourne Canberra Alice Springs Perth
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 Warm Temperate
- Jan -
- Feb -
- Mar -
- Apr -
- May -
- Jun -
- Jul -
- Aug -
- Sep P
- Oct P
- Nov P
- Dec -
P = Planting window
Plant in spring into very free-draining soil in a warm, sheltered spot. Hass is picked from about September into summer, while Bacon and Fuerte are winter types, and flowers are damaged by frost inland.
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How to Grow Avocado in Warm Temperate 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
Warm Temperate Growing Tips for Avocado
Recommended Varieties
- Hass (A-type)
- Bacon (B-type, most cold-hardy)
- Fuerte (B-type)
- Wurtz (A-type, dwarf)
Key Challenges
- Winter cold can damage young trees (frost below -2°C kills branch tips)
- Slower growth than subtropical
- Takes longer to reach production
Pro Tips
- Sydney is the southern limit for reliable Hass production on the east coast.
- Plant against a north-facing brick wall for thermal mass and frost protection.
- Bacon is the most cold-hardy variety. Can handle brief frost to -4°C once established.
Pests and problems for Avocado in Warm Temperate
- 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
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.
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- Soil and weather from your nearest station
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- Price history and price alerts
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- 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 Sydney?
Plant in spring into very free-draining soil in a warm, sheltered spot. Hass is picked from about September into summer, while Bacon and Fuerte are winter types, and flowers are damaged by frost inland.
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 Sydney?
Recommended varieties for the Warm Temperate zone include: Hass (A-type), Bacon (B-type, most cold-hardy), Fuerte (B-type), Wurtz (A-type, dwarf).
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 Warm Temperate zone, Sydney is its reference city.