When to Plant Grumichama 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 Grumichama 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
- 6.6–7.3
Grumichama, the Brazilian cherry, is a slow growing evergreen tree of 2 to 5 m with glossy leaves and sweet dark cherry like fruit in late spring (Daleys).
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
Daleys lists it for warm temperate gardens and calls it frost hardy; reviews come from Carlingford and Engadine NSW, the Illawarra and Tamworth. Harvest October to December. Planting months are our estimate: spring.
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How to Grow Grumichama in Warm Temperate Australia
- Soil
- Fertile, free draining soil with compost and mulch (Daleys). Acid sand suits it better than limestone (Morton).
- Salt
- Sensitive. Struggles with salty bore water or salty soil. Give it rainwater if you can.
- pH Range
- 6.6-7.3
- Sunlight
- Full sun to light shade; shelter from wind (Daleys review).
- Keep away from
- Limestone or alkaline soil (Morton), Windy sites (Daleys review)
Warm Temperate Growing Tips for Grumichama
Recommended Varieties
- Black grumichama (Daleys)
Key Challenges
- Fruit fly in some years (Daleys review)
- Wind
Pro Tips
- Frost hardy once established (Daleys)
- Shelter from wind (Daleys review)
Pests and problems for Grumichama in Warm Temperate
Harvesting Grumichama
When ready: Fruit turns from red to glossy black and softens, about 30 days after flowering (Morton).
How to harvest: Pick by hand daily as fruit blackens; half ripe fruit suits jam and pies (Morton).
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 Grumichama
When do you plant grumichama in Australia?
It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:
- Tropical (Cairns): Jan to Mar, Nov to Dec
- Subtropical (Brisbane): Jan to Mar, Sep to Dec
- Warm Temperate (Sydney): Sep to Nov
- Cool Temperate (Melbourne): Oct to Nov
- Cold / Highland (Canberra): not recommended
- Arid / Semi-Arid (Alice Springs): not recommended
- Mediterranean (Perth): Sep to Nov
When should I plant Grumichama in Sydney?
Daleys lists it for warm temperate gardens and calls it frost hardy; reviews come from Carlingford and Engadine NSW, the Illawarra and Tamworth. Harvest October to December. Planting months are our estimate: spring.
How do I know when Grumichama are ready to harvest?
Fruit turns from red to glossy black and softens, about 30 days after flowering (Morton).
What are the best Grumichama varieties for Sydney?
Recommended varieties for the Warm Temperate zone include: Black grumichama (Daleys).
Are grumichama salt tolerant?
No. Grumichama 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.