Few things beat the satisfaction of picking fruit straight from your own backyard. There’s something almost magical about wandering outside on a warm morning, plucking something ripe and sun-warmed off a tree you planted yourself, and eating it on the spot. Planting a fruit forest is one of the simplest pleasures a garden can offer, and it’s also one of the most rewarding projects you can take on at home.
Whether you’re starting completely fresh with a bare patch of lawn or adding new layers to an orchard you’ve already got going, October is prime planting time in our region. The soil has warmed enough to encourage vigorous root growth, days are stretching longer, and there’s usually enough rain to help new plantings settle without constant attention. Best of all, the real heat of summer is still a little way off, giving young trees a crucial head start before December and January temperatures test them.
Tropical giants: Mangoes, loquat and jackfruit
Mangoes, loquats and jackfruit are a fantastic trio to add to your food forest this month. Mangoes reward patient gardeners with juicy, fragrant fruit and thrive in our warm coastal climate, while loquats are a brilliant low-maintenance option, often fruiting earlier than many other backyard trees. Jackfruit, with its enormous, one-of-a-kind fruit, is a true statement piece for any food forest and loves the heat and humidity our region offers. Planting all three now gives them the best possible start, letting them settle in and grow strong well ahead of summer.
Cooler-climate classics
Don’t overlook the more traditional options either. Apples and olives can go in now too, bringing a bit of cooler-climate variety to your coastal patch while conditions are still mild enough for their roots to settle in comfortably before the heat arrives. We stock tropical varieties, grafted to grow in our climate, including Tropic Sweet and Tropical Anna. These may take a little more patience and care in a warmer climate, but the payoff of home-grown apples or a small olive harvest is well worth it.
Beating the summer heat
Avocados are another excellent October pick. Plant now and they’ll be well-rooted before the heat of December and January puts them to the test, giving them the best possible chance of thriving through their first summer rather than struggling against it.
Native flavour
If you’re keen to bring some local character into your fruit forest, spring is the season for it. Davidson plums, finger limes and round native limes and native mint all transition beautifully into the garden this month. These natives are perfectly in tune with the local climate, and they thrive on the gentler spring rain typical of October, rather than the heavier deluges that can arrive later with the wet season.
Something a little exotic
Finally, if you’re after something more unusual to round out your fruit forest, October is also a fine time to plant jaboticaba. This striking Brazilian native produces tangy-sweet, grape-lychee flavoured fruit that grows in curious clusters straight from the trunk. It provides a real talking point for visitors and a genuine treat once it starts fruiting.
Whatever mix you choose, October’s mild, moist conditions make it one of the best times of year to establish new fruit trees. Get planting now, and you’ll be well on your way to a backyard full of homegrown flavour by the time summer really hits.
Ask one of our horticulturalists to help with your selection if you are not sure. We are happy to help!
