GARDENING GUIDE FOR PERTH, WESTERN AUSTRALIA

The Synodic Cycle (moon/lunar cycle) determines the pull/flow/direction of water. In relation to the phases of the moon (Earth's electromagnetic fields), science shows us that these subtle shifts in the direction of water flow means some plant types are better planted/sown in one phase compared to another i.e. leaf growth when water is flowing upwards with less resistance, or bulbs/roots developing when water is flowing downwards easier.
Basically, knowing the water flow direction (gravity) = successful plant germination and growth!
The image on the right (our calendar) shows the moon phases for the year for Perth, Western Australia. The colours show when different crops can be planted.
Further information, including a list of plants for each phase (colour) is added each month, with each phase as a separate image below. They are classified as leafy crops, fruiting crops, bulb and root crops and prep/plan (no crops).
  
November 21 – 27, 2023
Gardening guide for Perth, Western Australia (temperate climate zone)
Fruiting crops are the focus this week – we are excited to grow some new pumpkin varieties, and capsicums, chillies and eggplant in sunny positions. Tomatoes are already in but not too late to add if you haven’t done so already, plus corn, melons and a few late sunflowers. Hot, sunny days to continue, so regular watering schedule (we recommend 4/5am watering time) and regular fertilising for rapid, healthy plant growth!
November 14 - 20, 2023
Gardening guide for Perth, Western Australia (temperate climate zone)
Leafy green crops this week! Our front garden features many of the leafy greens, including herbs and lots of companion planting too – we’re using the square foot garden design in this garden, incorporating vegetables, herbs and flowers in each square foot of soil to maximise yield (and aesthetics). 
November 6 - 13, 2023
Gardening guide for Perth, Western Australia (temperate climate zone)
It's time for planning and prepping for the month ahead! Spring has been our busiest month, so it’s time to go over our Summer plans/notes and get ready for summer sowing, growing and harvesting! Site design/redesigning spaces (and adding other spaces), planning shade structures for the heat, designing/installing (and checking) reticulation, checking soil additions, reviewing our seed library, etc. Have a great week folks!

October 29 – November 5, 2023
Gardening guide for Perth, Western Australia (temperate climate zone)
Bulb and root crops are the theme this week. Asparagus crowns to divide and plant in a nice sunny location in the veggie patch. Rhubarb crowns too. Plus lots of spuds, sweet potato slips, taro, yam, ginger in a pot (instead of in-ground), choko for shade and sowing seeds (or adding the last of the Spring seedings, especially celery, beetroot and fennel.
October 22-28 2023
Gardening guide for Perth, Western Australia (temperate climate zone)
Fruiting crops are the focus this week – we are excited to grow some new pumpkin varieties, and for sunny/warm locations, capsicums, chillies and eggplants. Oh and tomatoes, corn, melons and sunflowers. Happy days!

October 15-21, 2023
Gardening guide for Perth, Western Australia (temperate climate zone)
Leafy green crops this week! Lots and lots (and lots) of leafy greens, including herbs, brassicas and lots of lettuce to fill in spaces everywhere. Warmer weather than last month, so time to plan bigger future yields for sharing …

October 7 -14, 2023
Gardening guide for Perth, Western Australia (temperate climate zone)
It's time for planning and prepping for the month ahead! Spring is our busiest month, so it’s time to go over our winter plans/notes and get ready for spring sowing, growing and harvesting! Site design/redesigning spaces (and adding other spaces), planning shade structures for upcoming heat, checking reticulation, soil additions, checking our seed library, etc. Have a great week folks!
September 30 – October 6, 2023
Gardening guide for Perth, Western Australia (temperate climate zone)
Bulb and root crops are the theme this week. Asparagus crowns to divide and plant in a nice sunny location in the veggie patch. Rhubarb too. Plus lots of spuds! Seedlings and seeds for spring ahead – the warmer weather for germination leads a transition to more activity in the garden each week ….

September 23-29, 2023
Gardening guide for Perth, Western Australia (temperate climate zone)
Fruiting crops are the focus this week – we are excited to grow some new pumpkin varieties, and for sunny/warm locations, capsicums, chillies and eggplants. Oh and tomatoes! Happy days! 


September 15-22, 2023
Gardening guide for Perth, Western Australia (temperate climate zone)
Leafy green crops this week! Lots and lots of leafy greens, including herbs, brassicas and lots of lettuce to fill in  spaces everywhere…


September 7 -14, 2023
Gardening guide for Perth, Western Australia (temperate climate zone)
It's time for planning and prepping for the month ahead! Spring is our busiest month, so it’s time to go over our winter plans/notes and get ready for spring sowing, growing and harvesting!

August 31 – September 6, 2023
Gardening guide for Perth, Western Australia (temperate climate zone)
Bulb and root crops are the theme this week. Asparagus crowns to divide and plant in a nice sunny location in the veggie patch. Rhubarb too. Plus lots of spuds! Seedlings and seeds for spring ahead.


August 25 - 30, 2023
Gardening guide for Perth, Western Australia (temperate climate zone)
Fruiting crops are the focus this week. It’s still a bit too cold for direct sowing many fruiting crops in the garden at the moment (peas are still okay and grow fast) but the preparation for the warmer weather meant we can begin growing cucumbers, chillies, eggplant, pumpkin, squash, watermelon and zucchini in the greenhouse. It’s going to be productive in our patch in the next few months! We’re growing several types to cover the ground to help retain water in the soil.


August 17 - 24, 2023
Gardening guide for Perth, Western Australia (temperate climate zone)
Leafy green crops this week! There’s still some crops that can grow in the garden via seedlings (or seeds), but many more that can be sown in the greenhouse in punnets/trays, in preparation for the warm weather to come in the months ahead. Hooray for herbs, lettuce, silverbeet, brassicas and more!


August 9 - 16, 2023
Gardening guide for Perth, Western Australia (temperate climate zone)
It's time for planning and prepping for the month ahead! Rain is easing, but the cold mornings mean some small, delicate plants will still require protection from frost. We’re continuing to observe where water is collecting, flowing fast or causing issues on your property. Reduce run-off and slow/spread the water onto/in the soil instead is the goal! Check where leaf litter has fallen and set up further compost areas in these locations. Shredding paper and cardboard for the compost. Clean guttering, filters and reticulation in preparation for the warm weather in the months to come – we’re installing drip irrigation prior to planting out seedlings/sowing seeds. Review weather data. Plan pruning and sowing for the month ahead, i.e. checking seeds and ordering any if required. Gardening tasks are still later in the morning or early afternoon to enjoy the warm sunshine.


August 2 - 8, 2023
Gardening guide for Perth, Western Australia (temperate climate zone)
Bulb and root crops are the theme this week. We’re subdividing asparagus and moving them to a sunnier position (they were in more shade than they prefer last season). Potatoes can be grown directly in the ground or in containers (pots or bags), mounded/covered up by soil and straw as they produce each layer of leaves. We’re trying out some spare compost bins (lids left off the top) for growing potatoes this year. Seedlings and seeds for root vegetables listed can also be planted into the garden – or get some growing in the greenhouse (in trays/punnets) for planting into the garden in a few weeks. Spring onions are such a favourite crop we use those as border plants. Nothing better than growing your own beetroot for salads, sauerkraut, pickling and juicing!
July 26 - August 1, 2023
Gardening guide for Perth, Western Australia (temperate climate zone)
Fruiting crops are the focus this week. We are excited to incorporate a new area for growing berries, starting with punnets of strawberry seedlings in a tiered garden bed system. Broad beans, podding peas, snow peas and sugar snap peas can also be sown if not already done so in your patch. With the colder weather, less plants are sown this month but peas grow so quickly to cover the soil and grow up to reduce wind impact on smaller plants. Some squash varieties can also be sown in the greenhouse –it’s too cold for direct sowing those in the garden at the moment.


July 18 - 25, 2023
Gardening guide for Perth, Western Australia (temperate climate zone)
Leafy green crops this week! The ever easy lettuce can be sown in the garden or in punnets/trays for dividing and planting out in a few weeks. Spinach and parsley too. We’re also sowing silverbeet and rainbow chard in trays in the greenhouse, to look forward to planting into the garden soon.

July 10 - 17, 2023 
Gardening guide for Perth, Western Australia (temperate climate zone)
It's time for planning and prepping for the month ahead! With the heavy rainfall upon us, the deep litter mulch system in the chicken coop requires emptying - we remove about 30cm of mulch/straw/chicken poo to compost for a few months, replacing with a fresh layer of mulch to prevent muddy chicken feet. Observe where water is collecting, flowing fast or causing issues on your property. Reduce run-off and slow/spread the water onto/in the soil instead is the goal!
Check where leaf litter has fallen and set up further compost areas in these locations.
Review weather data.
Plan pruning and sowing for the month ahead, i.e. checking seeds and ordering any if required.
Or just stay warm and rest this week if it's too wet outside

July 4 - 9, 2023 
Gardening guide for Perth, Western Australia (temperate climate zone)
Bulb and root crops are the theme this week. Potatoes can be grown directly in the ground or in containers, mounded/covered up as they produce leaves. We’re also sowing some seeds in the greenhouse this week, to then divide up seedlings for planting into the garden in a few weeks.
June 27 - July 3, 2023
Gardening guide for Perth, Western Australia (temperate climate zone)
Fruiting crops are the focus this week. We are excited to incorporate a new area for growing berries, starting with punnets of strawberry seedlings in a tiered garden bed system. Broad beans, podding peas, snow peas and sugar snap peas can also be sown if not already done so in your patch. With the colder weather, less plants are sown this month but peas grow so quickly to cover the soil...
 

June 19 - 26, 2023
Gardening guide for Perth, Western Australia (temperate climate zone)
Leafy green crops this week! The ever easy lettuce can be sown in the garden or in punnets/trays for dividing and planting out in a few weeks. Spinach and parsley too.


June 12 - 18, 2023
Gardening guide for Perth, Western Australia (temperate climate zone)
It's time for planning and prepping for the month ahead! With the heavy rainfall upon us, the deep litter mulch system in the chicken coop requires emptying - we remove about 30cm of mulch/straw/chicken poo to compost for a few months, replacing with a fresh layer of mulch to prevent muddy chicken feet.
Check where leaf litter has fallen and set up further compost areas. Plan pruning and sowing for the month ahead, i.e. checking seeds and ordering any if required. Or just stay warm and rest this week if it's too wet outside
...


June 5 - 11, 2023
Gardening guide for Perth, Western Australia (temperate climate zone)
Bulb and root crops are the theme this week. It is the last opportunity for garlic to be sown this month, so the sooner the better as they will take longer to reach harvest but a good crop to interplant or to fill an area of your vegetable garden that will not be disturbed for a few months. Radishes are a winter staple and one of the quickest plants to grow from seed to harvest. We enjoy small radishes (round or long shaped) and also daikon radishes for pickling.



May 28 - June 4, 2023
Gardening guide for Perth, Western Australia (temperate climate zone)
Fruiting crops are the focus this week. We are excited to incorporate a new area for growing berries, starting with punnets of strawberry seedlings in a tiered garden bed system. Broad beans, podding peas, snow peas and sugar snap peas can also be sown if not already done so in your patch. With the colder weather, less plants are sown this month but peas grow so quickly to cover the soil...


May 20 - 27, 2023
Gardening guide for Perth, Western Australia (temperate climate zone)
Leafy green crops this week! Lettuce is sown monthly but adding some mustard, herbs like parsley and coriander and pak choy. Chives are perfect for edging/bordering or left in pots to grow big and flower. Rocket can get very big so we don't plant as much, but generally growing 5-7 vegetable species in each garden plot - with space for a few to grow flowers to attract pollinators/predators or to save seed for next year. Overplanting now to thin out later to help cover the soil as plants are small and to increase productivity in the area

May 13 - 19, 2023
Gardening guide for Perth, Western Australia (temperate climate zone)
Planning continues this week. Site measurements, scale drawings, garden plot designs (as our vegetable zones are spread around our property at the moment). Crop rotation and general tidy up, checking on compost, worm farms, fertilising if required and checking what seeds are needed for June so they can be purchased ahead if required. Pruning some overgrowth and generally a week of planning, reviewing and designing!

May 6 - 12, 2023
Gardening guide for Perth, Western Australia (temperate climate zone)
Bulb and root crops this week - garlic to go in again (if not already done so). A quick crop of radishes (one of our favourites to grow, since they are the quickest to harvest and perfect with the lettuces planted last month too). Daikon radishes take longer but lovely for fermenting kimchi and pickled to serve with pork...

April 28 - May 5, 2023
Gardening guide for Perth, Western Australia (temperate climate zone)
Fruiting crops this week - they're perfect sown in the garden, or into trays or punnets for the greenhouse (you can plant last month's broad bean/pea seedlings if not already done so)





April 21-27, 2023
Gardening guide for Perth, Western Australia (temperate climate zone)
Leafy greens are the focus this week. Seeds into the garden (or greenhouse in trays/punnets) and lots of seedlings! Herbs, leafy green vegetables including brassicas (these attract white butterflies, so plan for netting options too). A little bit of time preparing now for a successful harvest for the months to come.

April 14-20, 2023
Gardening guide for Perth, Western Australia (temperate climate zone)
The focus this week is repairing, planning and resting. Checking rainfall impact (erosion? Flooding areas? Drainage? Soil infiltration?)
Seedlings are protected and labelled.
Pest control i.e. removing snails after rain.
Planning and prepping area/s for the pea/bean seedlings to be planted.
Planning jobs for this month (and next).

April 7-13, 2023
Gardening guide for Perth, Western Australia (temperate climate zone)
Bulb and root crop focus this week. Soaking garlic cloves overnight (or at least an hour or two) in diluted seaweed solution will aid quicker growth. Plant seedlings in the garden and sow seeds in the garden (or into punnets/trays in the greenhouse to divide before planting in a few weeks). Most bulb/root crops are best sown directly into the soil (like carrots and radishes).

March 29 - April 6, 2023
Gardening guide for Perth, Western Australia (temperate climate zone)
Peas please! Popping pea seeds directly into our garden (they can be sown in seed trays if you prefer).  This week that includes broad beans, shelling peas, climbing peas (i.e. telephone), snow peas and sugar snap peas too, which are just perfect for the lunchbox and speedy stir-fries!


March 23-28, 2023
Gardening guide for Perth, Western Australia (temperate climate zone)
Another busy week in the potting area sowing brassicas, herbs and other leafy greens!

March 15-22, 2023
Gardening guide for Perth, Western Australia (temperate climate zone)
Updates to the seed library, prepping lists for maintenance/building for this month (and next), tidying up the worm farm area, compost and more ....

March 8 - 14, 2023
Gardening guide for Perth, Western Australia (temperate climate zone)
This week is a busy one! Garlic beds are prepared ready for sowing cloves, some bulb/root seedlings for the garden (and the rest, seeds sown in the garden and the greenhouse).

February 28 - March 7, 2023
Gardening guide for Perth, Western Australia (temperate climate zone)
Autumn has arrived! The weather is still very hot, so just a few peas into the greenhouse this week, so they can sprout and grow a little before being planted into the main garden...
February 21-27, 2023
Gardening guide for Perth, Western Australia (temperate climate zone)
Planting leafy green seedlings in the garden (under shade cloth to protect from the summer heat) and sowing seeds in the greenhouse to monitor sprouting and watering. Sowing prep for Autumn around the corner!  


February 14-20, 2023
Gardening guide for Perth, Western Australia (temperate climate zone)
This week we're in maintenance and planning mode ... checking water, compost systems, feeding the soil organic matter and planning the next garden area (around our chicken coop). It's still hot so we're looking forward to autumn planting!
February 6-13, 2023
Gardening guide for Perth, Western Australia (temperate climate zone)

This week we're sowing/planting bulb and root crops!


January 29 - February 5, 2023
Gardening guide for Perth, Western Australia (temperate climate zone)
Planting seedlings in the garden (under shade cloth to protect from the summer heat) and sowing seeds in the greenhouse to monitor sprouting and watering. Careful garden design for future harvests. 


January 22-28, 2023
Gardening guide for Perth, Western Australia (temperate climate zone)
Planting leafy green seedlings in the garden (under shade cloth to protect from the summer heat) and sowing seeds in the greenhouse to monitor sprouting and watering. Careful garden design for future harvests.

January 15-21, 2023 
Gardening guide for Perth, Western Australia (temperate climate zone)
Maintenance week in the garden- we’re setting up shade, weeding, compost and planning next few weeks of garden tasks
January 7-14, 2023
Gardening guide for Perth, Western Australia (temperate climate zone) 

December 30, 2022 - January 6, 2023
Gardening guide for Perth, Western Australia (temperate climate zone)