Australian Farmers Almanac: May 2026
Late autumn - blue moon, citrus season begins, winter preparation time
May 2026 Overview Late Autumn
May brings us properly into the cooler months. The morning mists are rolling in, frost is becoming a regular visitor in inland areas, and your citrus trees are starting to colour up beautifully. This is the month where we really transition from the growing season to what some folks call "maintenance mode."
Something special this month - we get two full moons. The second one on May 31 is what they call a Blue Moon. Not actually blue, but rare enough that the old phrase "once in a blue moon" means something.
The Eta Aquariids meteor shower peaks early in the month (May 6), with dust from Halley's Comet giving us up to 50 meteors per hour in dark skies.
May 2026 Climate Summary
| Zone | Max Temp | Min Temp | Rainfall | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subtropical | 23-25°C | 13-16°C | 60-85mm | Dry season. Mild days, cool nights. Light frost possible inland. |
| Tropical | 31-32°C | 20-22°C | 80-110mm | Dry season proper. Hot days, lower humidity. Best growing time. |
| Arid | 22-26°C | 9-14°C | 12-20mm | Cooling well. Cold nights, pleasant days. Frost regular inland. |
| Mediterranean | 17-20°C | 9-12°C | 55-80mm | Winter approaching. Rain regular. Frost common inland. |
| Warm Temperate | 19-22°C | 11-14°C | 100-140mm | Cooling noticeably. Frost becoming regular western areas. |
| Cool Temperate | 14-17°C | 6-9°C | 50-65mm | Cold nights, cool days. Regular frost. Fire danger may persist if dry. |
May 2026 Moon Phases & Astronomical Events
Eta Aquariids Meteor Shower - May 6
This shower produces about 50 meteors per hour at its peak, originating from debris left by Halley's Comet. Best viewing is from 2am until dawn. The Moon will be past full and waning, so conditions are reasonable. Look toward the east, low on the horizon.
Sunrise & Sunset
Days continue shortening toward the winter solstice. Here's how daylight changes across the month:
| City | May 1 | May 31 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brisbane (AEST) | 6:12am - 5:26pm (11h 14m) | 6:33am - 5:05pm (10h 32m) | -42 min |
| Sydney (AEST) | 6:28am - 5:21pm (10h 53m) | 6:52am - 4:56pm (10h 04m) | -49 min |
| Melbourne (AEST) | 7:06am - 5:29pm (10h 23m) | 7:33am - 5:08pm (9h 35m) | -48 min |
| Perth (AWST) | 6:32am - 5:59pm (11h 27m) | 6:55am - 5:21pm (10h 26m) | -61 min |
Trend: Noticeable shortening - Perth loses over an hour. Winter is coming fast.
May 2026 Planting Guide
Planting slows down this month but doesn't stop. Focus on hardy crops that handle the cold. It's also prime time for continuing garlic plantings in some zones.
Subtropical & Warm Temperate Zones
- Broad beans, peas, snow peas
- Lettuce, Asian greens, spinach, silverbeet
- Kale, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage
- Brussels sprouts
- Beetroot, carrots, radish, onions
- Garlic (continue planting)
- Citrus beginning - lemons, early mandarins
- Late apples
- Brassicas at their best
- Root vegetables
- Winter squash
Tropical Zone
This is your prime growing season. While the south is slowing down, tropical gardens are hitting their stride.
- Tomatoes, capsicum, eggplant at peak
- Beans, peas, corn
- Cucurbits thriving
- All leafy greens
- This is dry season = perfect growing
Mediterranean & Cool Temperate Zones
- Broad beans, peas (hardy to frost)
- Spinach, silverbeet, kale
- Onions, garlic
- Brassicas (established plants)
- Root vegetables
- Citrus starting (early varieties)
- Brassicas excellent
- Root vegetables
- Winter greens
May Moon Planting Calendar
| Period | Moon Phase | Best Activities |
|---|---|---|
| May 2-10 | Waning (Full to Last Quarter) | Root crops, garlic, onions. Good harvest window. |
| May 10-17 | Waning to New | Rest period. Soil improvement. Composting. Pest control. |
| May 17-23 | Waxing (New to First Quarter) | Leafy greens, hardy herbs. |
| May 23-31 | Waxing to Full (Blue Moon) | Peas, beans. Blue Moon considered powerful for planting. |
May 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
May 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.
May 2026 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
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