Our “Gardening by the Moon” calendar works according to the age-old practice that cycles of the Moon affect plant growth. It is a longtime Old Farmer’s Almanac tradition.

Keep in mind that the four gardening regions below are quite broad; we also offer a modern gardening calendar (not Moon-based) that gets down to zip code level. See our all-seasons gardening calendar.

What is Gardening by the Moon?

Gardening by the Moon is a great way to help plan your above and below ground crops. Here’s how it works:

• Plant flowers and vegetables that bear crops above ground during the light, or waxing, of the Moon: from the day the Moon is new to the day it is full.
• Plant flowering bulbs and vegetables that bear crops below ground during the dark, or waning, of the Moon: from the day after it is full to the day before it is new again.

Oldtime farmers swear that this practice results in larger, tastier harvest. The editor of The Old Farmer’s Almanac, Janice Stillman, explains more in our Gardening by the Moon video.

Which Region Are You?

Click YOUR region on the map below to see planting dates and Moon-favorable dates.