Seasonal garden guides for Australian climates
Moon planting
The moon’s phases and its associated gravitational pull has a significant effect on the behaviour of tidal oceans, so it’s easy to understand how the moon can have a similar effect on the moisture in our soils and plants. By planning what you sow to coincide with the phases of the moon best suited to the type of vegetable and how you’re planting, you’ll give yourself a higher chance of success as well as increase your yields.
NEW MOON
In the new moon phase, light increases and lunar gravity pulls water higher. In the garden, this means balanced plant growth. A new moon phase is ideal for sowing plants with edible leaves and seed heads.
1–8 May
30 May–7 June
29 June–6 July
FIRST QUARTER
Light increases further in the second quarter as the moon grows fuller. There is less
gravitational pull, making this time ideal for leaf growth. A second quarter phase is the best time for sowing plants that fruit.
9–15 May
8–13 June
7–13 July
FULL MOON
After the full moon, as it wanes and light decreases, gravitational pull returns downwards, making this the best week in the month for sowing root crops, bulbs and crowns. It’s also a good time for transplanting.
16-22 May
14–20 June
14–19 July
LAST QUARTER
In the fourth quarter, both the amount of light and the gravitational pull decrease further. Therefore the fourth quarter moon phase is
best used for harvesting, fertilising, making compost and general garden maintenance.
23–29 May
21–28 June
20–28 July
