One almanac per growing zone, published every month. Pick your zone and month below for the full picture: what to plant now, what should be coming ready to harvest, the moon planting calendar, sunrise and sunset for your zone, and the climate averages you can expect from Bureau of Meteorology records.
Past months are free for everyone, so you can read back and judge the almanac for yourself. The current month and everything ahead of it is for GardenBuddy members.
March 2026 Farmers Almanac
Planting, moon and climate guide for the Arid zone
Climate Overview
| Zone | Max | Min | Rainfall | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arid | 30-36°C | 17-22°C | 25-35mm | Cooling but still warm. Summer storms possible. Fire risk easing. |
Astronomical Events
Moon Phases
Sunrise / Sunset
The equinox (March 21 AEST) brings roughly equal day and night. Here’s how daylight changes across the month:
| City | 1st | 15th | Last | Daylight change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alice Springs (ACST) | 6:29am – 7:03pm (12h 34m) | 6:35am – 6:50pm (12h 14m) | 6:42am – 6:34pm (11h 52m) | -42 min |
Trend: Significant shortening – Melbourne loses over an hour. Autumn is well underway.
Planting Guide
Arid Zone
Planting windows from the GardenBuddy zone planting master (99 crops tracked for this zone). The harvest list is calculated: crops whose typical days to maturity land this month when planted inside their zone window.
- Amaranth (sow direct, seed tray, transplant)
- Asparagus Pea (sow direct)
- Avocado (transplant)
- Basil (transplant)
- Beans – climbing (transplant)
- Beans – dwarf (transplant)
- Beetroot (sow direct, seed tray, transplant)
- Blueberry (transplant)
- Broccoli (seed tray, transplant)
- Cabbage (seed tray, transplant)
- Capsicum (transplant)
- Carrot (sow direct)
- Chinese cabbage (seed tray, transplant)
- Chives (transplant)
- Collards (sow direct, seed tray)
- Daikon (sow direct)
- Endive (sow direct, seed tray, transplant)
- Kale (seed tray)
- Kohlrabi (sow direct, seed tray, transplant)
- Leeks (sow direct)
- Lettuce (sow direct, seed tray, transplant)
- Mustard greens (seed tray)
- Oregano (sow direct, seed tray, transplant)
- Pak Choy (seed tray)
- Parsley (sow direct, seed tray, transplant)
- Peas (seed tray)
- Pumpkin (transplant)
- Radish (sow direct)
- Rocket (sow direct)
- Rockmelon (transplant)
- Rutabaga (sow direct, seed tray, transplant)
- Salsify (sow direct)
- Silverbeet (sow direct, seed tray, transplant)
- Squash (transplant)
- Sunflower (sow direct, transplant)
- Tomato (transplant)
- Turnip (sow direct)
- Watermelon (transplant)
- Zucchini (sow direct, seed tray, transplant)
- Amaranth
- Artichokes
- Asparagus Pea
- Avocado
- Basil
- Beans – climbing
- Beans – dwarf
- Borage
- Cabbage
- Capsicum
- Carrot
- Chilli peppers
- Chives
- Cucumber
- Daikon
- Eggplant
- Fig
- Lemongrass
- NZ Spinach
- Okra
- Oregano
- Parsley
- Pomegranate
- Potato
- Pumpkin
- Radish
- Rockmelon
- Salsify
- Silverbeet
- Squash
- Sunflower
- Sweet Corn
- Sweet Potato
- Tomato
- Watermelon
- Zucchini
Moon Planting Calendar
The lunar eclipse on March 3 adds extra significance for traditional moon planters. Many believe eclipse energy amplifies planting success.
| Phase | Dates | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Waxing (First Quarter to Full) | Mar 1-3 | Fruiting crops – tomatoes, beans, cucurbits. Strongest above-ground planting energy. |
| Waning (Full to Last Quarter) | Mar 3-11 | Root vegetables, garlic, onions, bulbs. Pruning. |
| Waning (Last Quarter to New) | Mar 11-19 | Soil preparation, composting, pest control. Rest period. |
| Waxing (New to First Quarter) | Mar 19-26 | Leafy greens and herbs. Sow above-ground crops that fruit outside the plant. |
| Waxing (First Quarter to Full) | Mar 26-31 | Fruiting crops – tomatoes, beans, cucurbits. Strongest above-ground planting energy. |
Livestock Guide
Autumn is joining season for most stock. Conditions are mending after summer and it’s time to get animals in shape for the ram or bull.
Cattle
- Autumn joining begins
- Bulls in with cows
- Condition improving with cooler weather
- Parasite treatment
- Wean late calves
Sheep & Goats
- Pre-joining preparation
- Flushing begins
- Condition assessment
- Ram/buck soundness testing
- Joining commences late month
Poultry
- Egg production improving
- Moult finishing in older birds
- Coop deep clean
- Breeding program planning
Bees
- Autumn honey harvest
- Check winter stores
- Mite treatment window
- Reduce entrances if robbing occurs
Self-Sufficiency Focus
Water Management
Tank levels should be healthy after the wet season in eastern zones. Mediterranean and arid zones are waiting for the autumn break – first significant rain often comes late March to early April. If you’re relying on rainwater, now’s the time to check your collection systems before winter.
Food Preservation
Apple and pear season is here. These store well, but if you’ve got a glut, think about bottling, drying, or cider making. Olive harvest starts in Mediterranean zones – if you’ve got a tree, get them processed promptly.
Energy Planning
The shoulder season is here – minimal heating or cooling needed for most. This is the cheapest energy month of the year. Solar output is still strong but declining. Good time for system maintenance and battery checks before winter.
Key Takeaways
- Watch the eclipse: March 3 – don’t miss the total lunar eclipse. Grab a chair, settle in around 9:30pm.
- Plant garlic: This is the month. Get it in the ground. Your future self will thank you.
- Autumn planting bonanza: Nearly everything for cool season can go in now.
- Breeding season: Livestock breeding kicks off – get animals in condition.
- Equinox energy: March 21 (AEST) is a major cycle date – watch markets and make the most of planting.
- Order bare root trees: Fruit tree planting season approaches – order now.