If the fragrant golden flesh and melt-in-your-mouth sweetness of ripe mangoes are impossible for you to resist on a hot summer day, then it’s time to grow your own. A mango tree quickly becomes a treasure in the garden that all mango lovers in the family will cherish for years to come and best of all they are easy to care for. Do not be put off by their potential size, there are compact dwarf varieties available and with just a little annual pruning even popular standard mango trees can be kept small and productive in suburban gardens.
Getting started
Mangoes love warmth and thrive in tropical and subtropical climates. However they will grow well in temperate regions too provided they are planted in a sunny sheltered position protected from frost and strong winds. Full sun and excellent drainage are essential. If you are working with heavy clay build a raised mound using free-draining soil to give roots the best start.
Plant from spring to early summer when the soil is warm. Mix plenty of compost into the planting hole and finish with a generous 5 to 7 cm layer of sugar cane mulch to lock in moisture stabilise soil temperature and suppress weeds. Water young trees regularly in their first year. Once established mangoes are relatively drought tolerant but they will enjoy a deep soak during extended dry spells. Feed with organic fertiliser in spring and again after harvest. For more detailed mango growing advice see the resources at ABC Gardening Australia.
Training and pruning your mango tree
It’s important when you grow your own mangoes to start shaping your mango tree early. Cut it back to about 1 metre to encourage low branching then tip prune new growth over the next couple of summers to create a strong bushy framework. Once established lightly prune each summer after harvest. Remove vigorous upright shoots, shorten long branches and open the canopy slightly to improve airflow and reduce disease risk.
Flowering, fruit and harvest
Mangoes crop best following a dry spell. Prolonged wet weather during flowering and fruit set can encourage anthracnose, a fungal disease that damages leaves flowers and fruit. Keeping trees low means you can protect developing flowers during rainy periods using a simple temporary clear plastic cover removed once conditions improve.
Grafted mango trees usually begin producing fruit after three to four years. Northern growers may harvest as early as October while southern gardeners often pick from February into autumn. Do not allow fruit to fully ripen on the tree, fruit fly and flying fox damage are common. Pick when fruit is full sized and showing a slight blush. Cut or snap fruit off with a short stem attached to prevent sap burn. For fruit out of reach a plastic bottle fitted to a pole pruner makes an excellent catcher.
Ripening and preserving
Ripen mangoes in the shade loosely covered with a sheet to deter fruit fly. Ripe fruit will keep for about a week in the fridge. When you are blessed with a big harvest freeze sliced cheeks flat for smoothies and desserts or dehydrate for chewy kid friendly snacks.
Popular mango varieties to try
| Variety | Description | Mature Size |
| Kensington Pride (Bowen) | Classic Aussie favourite with aromatic, sweet fruit | Up to 8m |
| R2E2 | Huge, colourful fruit with a mild flavour | 6-8m |
| Palmer | Late-fruiting dwarf with colourful, sweet fruit | 3-4m |
| Irwin | Purple to red-orange skin with rich, sweet flesh | About 3m |
| Valencia Pride | Long, juicy late fruit, fast growing | Up to 8m |
| Florigon | Melting texture with tropical-sweet flavour | 5-7m |
| Nam Doc Mai | Popular green-eating variety | About 6m |
