How to grow Orange Tree in Australia

Difficulty: Intermediate
Sun: Full sun
Water: 20 litres a week, watered every 3 days
Spacing: 400 cm
Time to harvest: 730 days (about 2 years)
Time to germinate: 1 days
Soil pH: 6 to 7.5
Frost tolerance: Half hardy

Washington Navel and Valencia are the SEQ workhorses. Navels ripen winter to spring, Valencia holds on the tree into summer.

At a glance

Region	When to sow	Regional note
South East Queensland	March to September
Northern Rivers NSW	March to September
Sydney & Coastal NSW	March to September
Melbourne & Victoria	September to November	Plant Sep to Nov once frosts pass, in full sun against a north facing wall. Navels crop well in the warmer inner suburbs.
Adelaide & SA	March and April, September and October	Plant Mar to Apr or Sep to Oct, avoiding frosty midwinter and summer heat. Adelaide grows excellent navels; water deeply in summer.
Perth & WA	March to September
Tasmania	October and November	Marginal. Plant Oct to Nov against a warm north facing wall. Navels ripen slowly and stay tart after cool summers.
Canberra & ACT	November	Marginal. Plant in November after the last frost in a warm north facing spot, and wrap young trees in frost cloth over winter.
North Queensland	May to September	Plant May to Sep in the dry season with regular watering, so trees settle before the build up. Skins stay green in the tropics but the fruit is sweet.
Darwin & Top End	May to August	Plant May to Aug in the dry season with regular watering, so trees settle before the build up. Fruit is sweet but skins stay green.