Farmers’ Almanac Planting Calendar

Gardening by the Moon (according to the phases of the Moon) is an ancient concept and a fundamental part of the Farmers’ Almanac philosophy. For over 200 years, our print editions have included a Planting Calendar that uses phases and the position of the Moon to predict the best times to perform specific gardening tasks. FA readers have long sworn by this method of managing their gardens and crops.

The dates listed below are consistent across all growing zones. Please consider your regional weather and climate before following our suggestions. We also recommend that you talk with a local greenhouse or your agricultural extension office to determine the optimal time windows for using the dates below.

Be sure to check your frost dates and learn more about your plant hardiness zone (which may have changed slightly when the zones were updated in 2024).

Almanac Gardening Calendar Terms Explained

Above-ground crops: Crops that produce their yield above the soil (corn, peppers, squash, etc.)

Root Crops: Crops that produce their yield below the soil (potatoes, radishes, carrots, etc.)

Seedbeds: A bed of soil cultivated for planting seeds or seedlings before being transplanted.

Seedlings: Young plants—especially ones that grow from seeds (rather than from a cutting).

Transplanting: To uproot and replant a growing plant or an already well-established plant. (Transplanting suggestions are true for houseplants as well.)

The terms “Favorable,” “Good,” and “Best” are all considered beneficial days for planting. “Favorable” and  “Good” mean the same thing. However, “Best” is considered the optimal day for planting seeds. Learn about the associations between zodiac signs and planting in our Zodiac Calendar.

🌙 How Does the Moon Affect Plants on Earth?

Gardeners have looked to the Moon for planting guidance for thousands of years, long before modern calendars or weather forecasts existed. Those who practice gardening by the Moon believe that the same gravitational forces that move the oceans also influence moisture in the soil and within plants themselves.

Just as the Moon’s gravity causes ocean tides to rise and fall, lunar gardeners say it also subtly affects groundwater levels and sap flow in plants. When the Moon’s pull is strongest—during the New Moon and Full Moon—moisture is believed to be drawn upward, closer to the soil surface and into plant tissues.

🌊 Water, Gravity, and Growth

This theory suggests that seeds absorb the most water during the New and Full Moon phases, when gravitational forces are strongest. Because water is essential for seed swelling, cracking, and sprouting, these phases are considered especially favorable for germination.

RELATED: Full Moon Calendar

• New Moon → First Quarter:
  Moisture rises, encouraging leaf and stem growth. This is considered the best time to plant above-ground crops like lettuce, tomatoes, beans, and squash.
• Full Moon:
  Moisture remains high, and energy peaks. Seeds tend to germinate quickly, making this a powerful window for planting, transplanting, and encouraging vigorous growth.
• After the Full Moon (Waning Phase):
  Moisture slowly recedes downward. This period is traditionally favored for root crops, pruning, harvesting, and soil work.

🌱 Why Gardeners Still Follow It

While modern science hasn’t definitively proven lunar gardening effects in controlled studies, many gardeners swear by it—pointing to stronger seedlings, improved yields, and healthier plants over decades of observation.

Moon gardening doesn’t replace good soil, proper timing, or climate awareness—but instead acts as a natural rhythm, helping gardeners decide when to plant, not what to plant.

For many, it’s less about strict rules and more about working in harmony with natural cycles, slowing down, observing patterns, and trusting the long relationship between the Moon, the Earth, and growing things .

Learn more about Gardening by the Moon.

RELATED: Moon Phases Timeline — 2026

🌼 April Gardening To-Do List

With spring fully underway, April is the month to plant, tidy, and build momentum. The garden is waking up fast, and a little effort now goes a long way toward a lush, productive season.

Planting Time 🌱🌤️
Start warm-season crops indoors if you haven’t already, including tomatoes, peppers, squash, cucumbers, and annual flowers.
Direct-sow cool-season vegetables such as lettuce, spinach, carrots, radishes, beets, and peas if your soil is workable.
Plant potatoes, onion sets, and early herbs outdoors in prepared beds.

Beds, Borders & Cleanup 🧹🌷
Finish cutting back winter-worn perennials and ornamental grasses if needed.
Clear weeds before they get established and tidy up garden edges and pathways.
Work compost into beds to improve soil structure and feed spring growth.

Feeding & Mulching ♻️🌿
Top-dress flower beds, shrubs, and vegetable gardens with compost or balanced fertilizer.
Apply a fresh layer of mulch around plants to help hold moisture and suppress weeds.
Avoid piling mulch directly against stems or trunks to prevent rot.

Watch the Weather 🌦️🧤
Keep an eye on late frosts, especially for fruit blossoms and tender seedlings.
Have row covers, cloches, or frost cloth ready for chilly nights.
Wait to move truly tender plants outdoors until temperatures are consistently mild.

Containers & Color 🌸🪴
Refresh containers with new potting mix and plant cool-tolerant flowers or herbs.
Divide overcrowded perennials to spread color around the garden and improve plant health.
Add pollinator-friendly blooms to support bees and butterflies early in the season 🐝

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🌿 May Gardening To-Do List

May is a busy, exciting month in the garden. As frost danger fades and growth surges, it’s time to plant generously, stay on top of maintenance, and enjoy the season taking shape.

Warm-Season Planting ☀️🍅
Transplant tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, and basil once the danger of frost has passed.
Direct-sow beans, squash, cucumbers, corn, and sunflowers as the soil warms.
Plant summer annuals, herbs, and hanging baskets to fill beds, borders, and patios with color.

Support Growing Plants 🪴📏
Stake or cage tomatoes early so roots aren’t disturbed later.
Provide trellises for peas, cucumbers, and climbing flowers before they sprawl.
Thin direct-sown seedlings so plants have room to mature properly.

Watering & Feeding 💧🌼
Water deeply rather than lightly to encourage strong root growth.
Feed heavy feeders like tomatoes, roses, and containers as needed.
Check pots and baskets often, since they dry out faster in warmer weather.

Weeding & Garden Care 🌾🧤
Stay ahead of weeds while they’re still small and easy to pull.
Deadhead spring blooms to keep plants tidy and encourage more flowers.
Inspect beds often for slug damage, aphids, and other early-season pests.

Harvest & Succession Planting 🥬🌱
Harvest fast-growing crops like lettuce, spinach, radishes, and herbs regularly.
Sow another round of greens, carrots, or beets for a steady harvest.
Make notes on what’s thriving so you can adjust as the season progresses.

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☀️ June Gardening To-Do List

June brings long days, fast growth, and the first real taste of summer abundance. This is the month to maintain momentum, protect plants from stress, and keep the garden producing beautifully.

Harvest & Replant 🥕🌿
Pick lettuce, peas, herbs, strawberries, and other early crops often to keep them coming.
Replace harvested spring crops with beans, basil, zinnias, or other summer performers.
Continue succession planting for vegetables like carrots, lettuce, and beans.

Water Wisely 💦🌞
Water early in the morning to reduce evaporation and help plants handle the heat.
Mulch vegetable beds and flower borders to keep roots cool and conserve moisture.
Watch containers closely, as they may need watering every day in hot weather.

Prune, Pinch & Deadhead ✂️🌸
Pinch back annuals and herbs to encourage bushier growth.
Deadhead spent flowers regularly for continued blooms.
Prune spring-flowering shrubs after blooming is finished, if shaping is needed.

Pest & Disease Patrol 🐛🔎
Inspect leaves for holes, mildew, discoloration, or sticky residue.
Catch problems early by removing damaged foliage and improving air circulation.
Look under leaves and around stems for insects before populations explode.

Summer Support 🍅🌻
Tie up tomatoes, cucumbers, and other fast-growing plants as they stretch upward.
Feed flowering annuals and vegetables as needed to support blooms and fruiting.
Take time to enjoy the garden—June is one of the most rewarding months of the year 🌼🐦

☀️ July Gardening To-Do List

July is the heart of summer, when gardens are full, colorful, and often producing at their peak. The focus now is on watering wisely, harvesting often, and helping plants stay healthy through the heat.

Harvest in Full Swing 🍅🥒
Pick vegetables like beans, zucchini, cucumbers, tomatoes, and peppers regularly to keep plants productive.
Harvest herbs often and dry or freeze extras for later use.
Gather flowers for bouquets and deadhead spent blooms to keep beds fresh and colorful.

Beat the Heat 💧🌞
Water deeply and early in the morning so plants can handle hot afternoons.
Check containers and hanging baskets daily, since they can dry out very quickly.
Add or refresh mulch to help soil stay cool and reduce evaporation.

Midseason Maintenance ✂️🌿
Trim back leggy annuals and overgrown herbs to encourage fresh growth.
Remove yellowing leaves and any diseased plant material to keep the garden tidy and healthy.
Continue tying up tomatoes, beans, and other vigorous growers as needed.

Pest & Disease Watch 🐛🔎
Inspect plants often for signs of hornworms, beetles, aphids, mildew, and leaf spots.
Catch issues early by hand-picking pests, improving airflow, and removing damaged foliage.
Avoid overhead watering when possible to help reduce fungal problems.

Keep the Garden Going 🌱♻️
Sow another round of beans, carrots, beets, or summer lettuce in spots that have opened up.
Plan ahead for fall crops by starting seeds for broccoli, cabbage, kale, and other cool-season vegetables.
Make notes on which varieties are thriving in the heat so you can remember them next year.

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🌻 August Gardening To-Do List

August brings late-summer abundance, but also signs of transition. While the garden is still productive, this is the month to refresh tired spaces, prepare for fall, and keep everything going strong a little longer.

Late-Summer Harvest 🍆🌽
Continue harvesting tomatoes, beans, squash, cucumbers, peppers, corn, and herbs often.
Pick produce before it becomes oversized so plants stay focused on making more.
Preserve extra harvests by freezing, drying, canning, or sharing with neighbors and friends.

Start Fall Crops 🍂🌱
Direct-sow cool-season crops like spinach, lettuce, arugula, turnips, and radishes for autumn harvests.
Start transplants of broccoli, kale, cauliflower, and cabbage if your growing season allows.
Refresh empty beds with compost before replanting.

Refresh Tired Beds 🧹🌼
Pull out spent annuals or crops that are no longer producing well.
Cut back faded perennials and tidy up messy growth to keep the garden looking fresh.
Fill bare spots with late-season flowers or quick-growing vegetables.

Water & Feed Thoughtfully 💦🌿
Keep watering deeply during dry spells, especially for fruiting vegetables and newly planted fall crops.
Continue feeding containers and heavy-producing plants as needed.
Watch for signs of stress such as wilting, blossom drop, or scorched leaves during hot stretches.

Plan for the Season Ahead 📓🍁
Order fall bulbs like tulips, daffodils, and alliums for later planting.
Take note of what you’d like to move, divide, or change once cooler weather arrives.
Save seeds from favorite flowers or open-pollinated vegetables for next year’s garden.

Fun Garden Folklore

Have you ever heard any of these expressions? Know any others you’d like to add? What do you believe? Tell us in the comments!

• Never plant vegetables that sound alike together. For example: potatoes and tomatoes. According to our Companion Planting Chart, potatoes and tomatoes are not good companions. Both in the nightshade family, they covet the same soil nutrients, and are susceptible to the same diseases. So, it’s better to plant tomatoes and potatoes away from each other. Can you think of any others? Let us know in the comments!
• It’s time to plant when you can sit on your garden soil without pants on and not get cold. This seems to make sense (albeit we recommend sitting on the ground with pants on). Many plants need warm soil temperatures before they germinate and survive outside so if you can sit on the ground comfortably it might be time to plant.
• Planting peppers when you’re mad will make the peppers hotter. This is a curious notion, one that tempts us to head out to the garden, pepper plants in hand, after an argument!
• Never say “thank you” for a plant. If you do, some believe bad luck will come to you or that the plant will die. Instead, say something that compliments the gift – “Oh, this flower will look great in my garden.” 
• Don’t wear perfume in the garden unless you want to be pollinated by bees. Bees and mosquitoes are attracted to sweet smelling scents, so this one may be sound advice. 
• Always plant your potatoes and green beans on Good Friday. This really depends on where you live and when Good Friday lands – anywhere between March 20 and April 23. For many areas of the country, these dates are too early to put anything in the ground. Yet for warmer areas, Good Friday does align with the start of spring and could be a good reminder to go outside and plant. 

Join The Discussion!

What are your gardening plans this season?

Do you have any tips, tricks, or garden folklore from your family to pass down?

What questions do you have for the Farmers’ Almanac?

Share your thoughts, experiences, and challenges in the comments here!