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Farmers almanac
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.
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May 2026 Farmers Almanac
Planting, moon and climate guide for the Cold Highland zone
Climate Overview
| Zone | Max | Min | Rainfall | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cold Highland | 17°C avg | 2°C avg | 34mm avg | Cold nights, regular frosts. Short mild days. |
Astronomical Events
Moon Phases
Sunrise / Sunset
Days continue shortening toward the winter solstice. Here’s how daylight changes across the month:
| City | 1st | 15th | Last | Daylight change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canberra (AEST) | 6:39am – 5:20pm (10h 40m) | 6:51am – 5:08pm (10h 17m) | 7:02am – 4:59pm (9h 57m) | -43 min |
Trend: Noticeable shortening – Perth loses over an hour. Winter is coming fast.
Planting Guide
Cold Highland Zone
Planting windows from the GardenBuddy zone planting master (109 crops tracked for this zone). Harvest months are the verified zone harvest window where we have one, otherwise calculated from typical days to maturity.
- Blueberry (potted plant)
- Broad Beans (sow direct)
- Garlic (cloves)
- Horseradish (root cuttings)
- Mustard greens (transplant)
- Onion (sow direct, seed tray)
- Peas (sow direct, seed tray)
- Rhubarb (crowns)
- Rocket (sow direct)
- Snow Peas (sow direct)
- Spinach (sow direct, seed tray, transplant)
- Spring Onion (transplant)
- Apple
- Beetroot
- Broccoli
- Cabbage
- Carrot
- Celeriac
- Chives
- Collards
- Coriander
- Daikon
- Endive
- Fennel
- Horseradish
- Jerusalem Artichokes
- Kale
- Kohlrabi
- Leeks
- Lemon
- Lettuce
- Lime
- Mandarin
- Mizuna
- Mustard greens
- Pak Choy
- Parsley
- Parsnip
- Passionfruit
- Pecan
- Persimmon
- Radish
- Rocket
- Rosemary
- Rutabaga
- Sage
- Salsify
- Silverbeet
- Spinach
- Spring Onion
- Sweet Potato
- Thyme
- Turnip
- Yacon
- Yam/Oca
Moon Planting Calendar
| Phase | Dates | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Waxing (First Quarter to Full) | May 1-2 | Fruiting crops – tomatoes, beans, cucurbits. Strongest above-ground planting energy. |
| Waning (Full to Last Quarter) | May 2-10 | Root vegetables, garlic, onions, bulbs. Pruning. |
| Waning (Last Quarter to New) | May 10-17 | Soil preparation, composting, pest control. Rest period. |
| Waxing (New to First Quarter) | May 17-23 | Leafy greens and herbs. Sow above-ground crops that fruit outside the plant. |
| Waxing (First Quarter to Full) | May 23-31 | Fruiting crops – tomatoes, beans, cucurbits. Strongest above-ground planting energy. |
Livestock Guide
Post-joining management kicks in. Days are getting shorter and poultry laying drops off without a bit of extra light.
Cattle
- Joining complete
- Pregnancy testing booking
- Autumn sales
- Supplementation if pasture declining
Sheep & Goats
- Post-joining management
- Early pregnancy care
- Supplementation if needed
- Winter shelter preparation
Poultry
- Production declining with daylight
- Consider supplemental lighting (14+ hours)
- Coop insulation, deep litter
- Stock up winter feed
Bees
- Minimal disturbance
- Emergency feeding only if light
- Monitor for robbing
- Hive insulation if cold area
Self-Sufficiency Focus
Citrus Season Begins
The first citrus is colouring up. Lemons and early mandarins are ready in warmer zones. This is the start of months of vitamin C goodness. If you’ve got surplus, think about preserved lemons, marmalade, or just sharing with the neighbours.
Energy Planning
Heating needs are emerging in cooler zones. Solar output is declining but still reasonable. If you’ve got a wood heater, make sure your firewood supply is sorted and dry. Check insulation and draft-proof before the real cold hits in June.
Key Takeaways
- Blue Moon: Two full moons this month – May 2 and May 31
- Eta Aquariids: Meteor shower peaks May 6 – watch from 2am
- Citrus season: First fruit colouring – lemons and early mandarins
- Frost regular: Protect tender plants in frost-prone areas
- Garlic continues: Last plantings for most zones
- Heating prep: Get firewood sorted, check insulation