How to grow Mulberry in Australia
Plant in full sun in well-drained soil, where this tough tree tolerates a wide range of conditions. Water young trees regularly to establish, then it handles dry spells well once mature.
At a glance
- Sun: Full sun
- Water: 15 litres a week, watered every 4 days
- Spacing: 500 cm
- Time to harvest: 365 days (about 1 year)
- Time to germinate: 1 days
- Soil pH: 6 to 7.5
- Frost tolerance: Frost hardy
When to sow by region
| Region | When to sow | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| South East Queensland | June to August | |
| Northern Rivers NSW | June to August | |
| Sydney & Coastal NSW | June to August | |
| Melbourne & Victoria | June to August | Dormant season sow Jun to Aug. Hardy; thrives in Melbourne. Extends vs SEQ. |
| Adelaide & SA | June to August | |
| Perth & WA | June to August | |
| Tasmania | June to August | Plant bare-root Jun to Aug. Hardy and reliable in Tasmania. |
| Canberra & ACT | June to August | Mulberry is cold-hardy; plant winter; benefits from severe winter chill; self-fertile; excellent producer in Canberra. |
| North Queensland | May to July | Dry season May to Jul. Mulberry is perennial; establish in dry season. |
| Darwin & Top End | May to July | Dry season May to Jul. Mulberry is perennial; establish in dry season. |
Varieties
- Black English
- Shahtoot (King White)
- Dwarf Mulberry
Harvest and storage
Harvest tip
Harvest when the fruit turns fully dark and drops at the lightest touch. Gently pull ripe berries, or shake the branches onto a sheet, picking daily as they ripen.