Following the moon phases to schedule planting is a tradition as old as agriculture itself. Even today, many experienced gardeners plan their garden work according to the lunar calendar, achieving better results in terms of germination, growth, and harvest.
If you too want to make the most of the moon's influence on your crops, you're in the right place. In this guide, you'll find the complete 2026 lunar planting calendar, with all the moon phases month by month and advice on what to plant during each period of the year.
We will also tell you which vegetables to plant during a waxing moon and which during a waning moon, with direct links to the best garden seeds available in our shop.
In this article you will find:
- How the lunar calendar for planting works
- Waxing and waning moon: what to plant
- 🌱 January 2026
- 🌱 February 2026
- 🌱 March 2026
- 🌱 April 2026
- 🌱 May 2026
- 🌱 June 2026
- 🌱 July 2026
- 🌱 August 2026
- 🌱 September 2026
- 🌱 October 2026
- 🌱 November 2026
- 🌱 December 2026
- Planting density and sowing depth table
- Final tips for planting with the moon
How the lunar calendar for planting works
The lunar cycle lasts approximately 29.5 days and is divided into four main phases:
- 🌑 New Moon – The moon is not visible in the sky. This is when the waxing phase begins.
- 🌓 First Quarter – The moon is half illuminated and is in its waxing phase.
- 🌕 Full Moon – The moon is fully illuminated. From this moment, the waning phase begins.
- 🌗 Last Quarter – The moon is half illuminated and is in its waning phase.
In agriculture, what really matters is distinguishing between the two main periods of the cycle: the waxing moon (from New Moon to Full Moon) and the waning moon (from Full Moon to New Moon).
According to traditional farming knowledge, the moon influences the movement of sap in plants, just as it influences tides. Harnessing this knowledge can make a big difference in your garden's results.
Waxing and waning moon: what to plant
🌒 During the waxing moon (from New Moon to Full Moon)
During the waxing moon phase, sap tends to rise towards the aerial part of the plant, promoting the development of stems, leaves, flowers, and fruits. It is the ideal time to:
- Plant fruit vegetables: tomato, pepper, eggplant, zucchini, pumpkin, cucumber, watermelon, melon
- Plant leafy vegetables: lettuce, spinach, chard, basil, parsley, arugula
- Plant fresh legumes: beans, peas, fava beans
- Perform transplanting and grafting
🌘 During the waning moon (from Full Moon to New Moon)
In the waning phase, sap tends to concentrate in the underground part of the plant, promoting root system development. This is the best time for:
- Plant root and bulb vegetables: carrot, radish, turnip, beetroot, onion, garlic, leek, fennel
- Plant potatoes: seed potatoes
- Perform pruning, harvesting aromatic herbs for drying, and soil maintenance work
- Fertilize and prepare the soil
Now that you know the basic rules, let's look in detail at the 2026 lunar calendar with all the moon phases and recommended plantings month by month.
🌱 January 2026 – Planting and Moon Phases
January 2026 Moon Phases
| Date | Moon Phase |
|---|---|
| Saturday, January 3 | 🌕 Full Moon (11:04) |
| Saturday, January 10 | 🌗 Last Quarter (16:49) |
| Sunday, January 18 | 🌑 New Moon (20:53) |
| Monday, January 26 | 🌓 First Quarter (5:48) |
- Waning moon: from January 3 to 18
- Waxing moon: from January 18 to 31
What to plant in January
January is a month of rest for the garden, but not for the provident gardener! It's the right time to start preparing seedbeds in a warm place, so you'll have seedlings ready for spring.
In heated seedbeds (indoors)
Outdoors (in mild climate regions)
- Garlic (cloves) 🌘 waning moon
- Fava beans 🌒 waxing moon
- Peas 🌒 waxing moon
- Spinach 🌒 waxing moon
- Corn salad 🌒 waxing moon
💡 Tip: take advantage of this period to buy the seeds you'll need for the entire season. You'll have more choice and can better plan your crops.
🌱 February 2026 – Planting and Moon Phases
February 2026 Moon Phases
| Date | Moon Phase |
|---|---|
| Sunday, February 1 | 🌕 Full Moon (23:11) |
| Monday, February 9 | 🌗 Last Quarter (13:45) |
| Tuesday, February 17 | 🌑 New Moon (13:03) |
| Tuesday, February 24 | 🌓 First Quarter (13:29) |
- Waning moon: from February 1 to 17
- Waxing moon: from February 17 to 28
What to plant in February
In February, the garden begins to awaken. Days get longer, and especially in central and southern regions, the first outdoor plantings can begin. In the north, it's better to continue with protected seedbeds.
In seedbeds (indoors)
Outdoors
- Swiss chard 🌒 waxing moon
- Carrot 🌘 waning moon
- Onion 🌘 waning moon
- Fava beans 🌒 waxing moon
- Lettuce 🌒 waxing moon
- Peas 🌒 waxing moon
- Parsley 🌒 waxing moon
- Radish 🌘 waning moon
- Arugula 🌒 waxing moon
- Spinach 🌒 waxing moon
🌱 March 2026 – Planting and Moon Phases
March 2026 Moon Phases
| Date | Moon Phase |
|---|---|
| Tuesday, March 3 | 🌕 Full Moon (12:39) |
| Wednesday, March 11 | 🌗 Last Quarter (10:42) |
| Thursday, March 19 | 🌑 New Moon (2:26) |
| Wednesday, March 25 | 🌓 First Quarter (20:19) |
- Waning moon: from March 3 to 19
- Waxing moon: from March 19 to 31
What to plant in March
March is one of the busiest months for gardeners. The arrival of spring unlocks many plantings both in seedbeds and directly outdoors. It's time to get your hands dirty and start the season!
In seedbeds
Outdoors
- Beetroot 🌘 waning moon
- Chard 🌒 waxing moon
- Carrot 🌘 waning moon
- Chicory and Radicchio 🌘 waning moon
- Onion 🌘 waning moon
- Fava beans 🌒 waxing moon
- Lettuce 🌒 waxing moon
- Peas 🌒 waxing moon
- Parsley 🌒 waxing moon
- Radish 🌘 waning moon
- Arugula 🌒 waxing moon
- Spinach 🌒 waxing moon
- Corn salad 🌒 waxing moon
💡 Tip: If you live in an area prone to late frosts, protect outdoor plantings with non-woven fabric or cold frames. This way you can start cultivation a few weeks earlier.
🌱 April 2026 – Planting and Moon Phases
April 2026 Moon Phases
| Date | Moon Phase |
|---|---|
| Thursday, April 2 | 🌕 Full Moon (3:13) |
| Friday, April 10 | 🌗 Last Quarter (5:55) |
| Friday, April 17 | 🌑 New Moon (12:54) |
| Friday, April 24 | 🌓 First Quarter (3:33) |
- Waning moon: from April 2 to 17
- Waxing moon: from April 17 to 30
What to plant in April
April is the heart of the planting season. The soil is warm enough to accommodate most vegetables, and longer days accelerate germination. This is the month when the garden truly comes alive!
In seedbeds
Outdoors
- Beetroot 🌘 waning moon
- Basil 🌒 waxing moon
- Chard 🌒 waxing moon
- Carrot 🌘 waning moon
- Chicory and Radicchio 🌘 waning moon
- Beans 🌒 waxing moon
- Lettuce 🌒 waxing moon
- Peas 🌒 waxing moon
- Parsley 🌒 waxing moon
- Radish 🌘 waning moon
- Arugula 🌒 waxing moon
- Celery 🌘 waning moon
- Spinach 🌒 waxing moon
- Zucchini 🌒 waxing moon
💡 Tip: April is also the ideal month to transplant tomato, pepper, and eggplant seedlings you sowed in seedbeds in January-February into the open field. Remember to transplant during a waxing moon.
🌱 May 2026 – Sowing and Lunar Phases
Lunar phases in May 2026
| Date | Lunar Phase |
|---|---|
| Friday, May 1 | 🌕 Full Moon (18:25) |
| Saturday, May 9 | 🌗 Last Quarter (22:14) |
| Saturday, May 16 | 🌑 New Moon (21:03) |
| Saturday, May 23 | 🌓 First Quarter (12:12) |
| Sunday, May 31 | 🌕 Full Moon (9:47) |
- Waning moon: from May 1 to 16
- Waxing moon: from May 16 to 31
What to sow in May
May is the golden month for the vegetable garden! The risk of frost is practically over everywhere in Italy, and you can finally sow almost all vegetables directly in the open field, including those that are most heat-demanding.
In open field
- Watermelon 🌒 waxing moon
- Beetroot 🌘 waning moon
- Basil 🌒 waxing moon
- Swiss Chard 🌒 waxing moon
- Carrot 🌘 waning moon
- Cucumber 🌒 waxing moon
- Chicory and Radicchio 🌘 waning moon
- Beans (bush and pole) 🌒 waxing moon
- Lettuce 🌒 waxing moon
- Melon 🌒 waxing moon
- Parsley 🌒 waxing moon
- Radish 🌘 waning moon
- Arugula 🌒 waxing moon
- Celery 🌘 waning moon
- Pumpkin 🌒 waxing moon
- Zucchini 🌒 waxing moon
Please note: in May 2026 there are two Full Moons (May 1 and 31). This means that you will have a particularly long period of waxing moon in the second half of the month, perfect for sowing fruit vegetables.
🌱 June 2026 – Sowing and Lunar Phases
Lunar phases in June 2026
| Date | Lunar Phase |
|---|---|
| Monday, June 8 | 🌗 Last Quarter (11:03) |
| Monday, June 15 | 🌑 New Moon (3:56) |
| Sunday, June 21 | 🌓 First Quarter (22:56) |
| Tuesday, June 30 | 🌕 Full Moon (0:58) |
- Waning moon: from June 1 to 15 (continues from the Full Moon on May 31)
- Waxing moon: from June 15 to 30
What to sow in June
With the arrival of summer, sowing focuses on short-cycle summer vegetables and second sowings of vegetables that will provide staggered harvests until autumn. Remember to water regularly, especially fresh sowings.
In open field
- Beetroot 🌘 waning moon
- Basil 🌒 waxing moon
- Swiss Chard 🌒 waxing moon
- Carrot 🌘 waning moon
- Cucumber 🌒 waxing moon
- Chicory and Radicchio 🌘 waning moon
- Beans (bush and pole) 🌒 waxing moon
- Endive and Escarole 🌒 waxing moon
- Lettuce 🌒 waxing moon
- Parsley 🌒 waxing moon
- Radish 🌘 waning moon
- Arugula 🌒 waxing moon
- Celery 🌘 waning moon
- Zucchini 🌒 waxing moon
🌱 July 2026 – Sowing and Lunar Phases
Lunar phases in July 2026
| Date | Lunar Phase |
|---|---|
| Tuesday, July 7 | 🌗 Last Quarter (20:31) |
| Tuesday, July 14 | 🌑 New Moon (10:45) |
| Tuesday, July 21 | 🌓 First Quarter (12:06) |
| Wednesday, July 29 | 🌕 Full Moon (15:37) |
- Waning moon: from July 1 to 14
- Waxing moon: from July 14 to 29
- Waning moon: from July 29 to 31
What to sow in July
July is the month of harvest par excellence, but it is also time to think about autumn and winter harvests. By sowing the right vegetables now, you will have a productive garden until the end of the year.
In open field
- Beetroot 🌘 waning moon
-