Position – Tamarind loves full sun and heat. It enjoys mild winter but is not suitable for the outdoors in colder weather without frost cover. Adult trees are resistant to temperatures down to -2ºC.
Size – Tamarind can grow to 25 mts tall with a spread of about seven mts. Space the trees between 5 to 15 mts apart.
Soil Type – Tamarind prefers deep loamy soil and thrives in neutral, gritty clay. Tamarind enjoys well-drained soil with a pH of between 4.5 and 9.
Water – Water the plants when the first 3cm of soil is dry. Established tamarind trees only require little water as they can tolerate extreme drought conditions.
Pruning – Regularly prune your tamarind tree to control its growth and shape. Remove dead and damaged wood from the plant.
Fertilising – Add regular compost to reduce the need for fertiliser. Young trees will do well with a 6-6-3 fertiliser once every three months.
Mulching – Spread a thick layer of mulch, about ten cms, around the tamarind tree at the beginning of spring. The mulch protects the roots of the trees, prevents weeds, and keeps the soil moist, mimicking the natural effects of a forest floor.
Harvesting – Tamarind fruits fall from the tree naturally or are harvested when ripe. Unripe fruits that fall from the tree aren’t collected immediately but are left on the ground until they are ripe.