Australian Farmers Almanac: January 2026
Your monthly guide to gardening, planting, and farming across all climate zones
Welcome to January 2026
Right, so we're kicking off 2026 and January is shaping up to be a proper scorcher for most of Australia. If you've got a garden (or you're silly enough to have started one), this is the month where things get real. The heat's relentless, the water bills are climbing, and your tomatoes are either thriving or turning into sun-dried versions of themselves.
I've pulled together everything you need to know for January 2026 across all six Australian climate zones. Whether you're in the tropical north getting hammered by monsoons or down in the Mediterranean zone praying for a cool change, there's something here for you.
Climate zones covered: Subtropical Tropical Arid Mediterranean Warm Temperate Cool Temperate
January 2026 Climate Overview by Zone
Here's what you're dealing with this month. No surprises - it's hot. But with La Niña in play, expect more moisture than usual. The devil's in the details.
| Zone | Max Temp | Min Temp | Rainfall | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subtropical | 29-32°C | 21-24°C | 155-215mm | Hot, humid, frequent storms. La Niña boosting wet season. |
| Tropical | 31-34°C | 24-26°C | 510-690mm | Peak monsoon. Heavy rain, flooding likely. Cyclone risk elevated. |
| Arid | 35-42°C | 20-25°C | 45-65mm | Extreme heat. Some storm relief possible from La Niña. |
| Mediterranean | 28-34°C | 16-20°C | 20-30mm | Hot, dry. Fire danger extreme. Heat waves common. |
| Warm Temperate | 26-29°C | 19-22°C | 125-175mm | Hot days, warm nights. Thunderstorms frequent. |
| Cool Temperate | 22-27°C | 12-16°C | 60-85mm | Pleasant compared to north. More rain than usual. |
January 2026 Astronomical Data
For those of you following moon planting (and honestly, my garlic does better when I pay attention to this stuff), here's what's happening overhead.
Moon Phases
Sunrise & Sunset
Days are getting shorter through January as we move past the summer solstice. Here's how daylight changes across the month:
| City | Jan 1 | Jan 31 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brisbane (AEST) | 4:51am - 6:43pm (13h 52m) | 5:10am - 6:36pm (13h 26m) | -26 min |
| Sydney (AEDT) | 5:46am - 8:09pm (14h 23m) | 6:09am - 8:04pm (13h 55m) | -28 min |
| Melbourne (AEDT) | 6:00am - 8:45pm (14h 45m) | 6:26am - 8:37pm (14h 11m) | -34 min |
| Perth (AWST) | 5:08am - 7:25pm (14h 17m) | 5:27am - 7:18pm (13h 51m) | -26 min |
Trend: Days shortening as we head toward autumn. Plan outdoor work for earlier starts.
January 2026 Planting Guide
Let's be honest - January isn't prime planting time for most of Australia. It's more about keeping what you've got alive. But there are still things you can get in the ground if you're keen (or stubborn).
Subtropical Zone (Brisbane, Gold Coast, Northern NSW)
- Sweet potato slips (perfect timing)
- Okra, snake beans, yard-long beans
- Heat-tolerant lettuce (under shade)
- Capsicum, chilli (transplants)
- Rosella, Ceylon spinach
- Tomatoes (if you've kept them alive)
- Zucchini, cucumber, squash
- Beans, corn, eggplant
- Mangoes, lychees, passionfruit
- Pineapples, bananas
Tropical Zone (Cairns, Darwin, NT)
- Sweet potato (main season)
- Snake beans, winged beans
- Kangkong (water spinach)
- Tropical greens only
- Green manure crops
- Mangoes (peak season!)
- Rambutan, mangosteen
- Jackfruit, breadfruit
- Bananas, papaya
- Whatever survives the wet
Mediterranean & Arid Zones (Adelaide, Perth, Central Australia)
- Almost nothing - too hot
- Heat-tolerant greens under shade
- Plan your autumn garden instead
- Stone fruit at peak (peaches, nectarines)
- Grapes beginning
- Figs, melons
- Tomatoes if irrigated
Warm & Cool Temperate Zones (Sydney, Melbourne, Hobart)
- Beans (succession planting)
- Corn (last chance)
- Cucumber, zucchini (last)
- Heat-tolerant lettuce
- Order seeds for autumn
- Tomatoes at peak
- Stone fruit, berries
- Beans, corn, capsicum
- Cucurbits galore
January 2026 Moon Planting Calendar
If you follow biodynamic or traditional moon planting, here's your January schedule. The science is debated, but plenty of experienced gardeners swear by it. Worth a shot, I reckon.
| Period | Moon Phase | Best Activities |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 1-3 | Waxing to Full | Harvest and preserve. Good for above-ground crops if you must plant. |
| Jan 3-10 | Waning (Full to Last Quarter) | Root vegetables, bulbs. Good for pruning and pest control. |
| Jan 10-18 | Waning to New | Rest period. Soil improvement, composting, mulching. |
| Jan 18-26 | Waxing (New to First Quarter) | Leafy greens, herbs. Root development strong. |
| Jan 26-31 | Waxing to Full | Fruiting crops, above-ground vegetables. |
January 2026 Livestock Guide
Heat stress is the name of the game this month. Every animal on your property is going to be feeling it, and some will be feeling it more than others.
Cattle
- Heat stress management critical
- Multiple water points essential
- Shade access mandatory
- Avoid mustering in heat of day
- Watch for heat stroke signs
Sheep
- Recently shorn? Watch for sunburn
- Double water requirements
- Fly strike vigilance continues
- Shade critical for welfare
Poultry
- Egg production drops significantly
- Heat stress can be fatal
- Cool water every few hours
- Frozen treats help (watermelon)
- Good ventilation essential
Bees
- Peak activity for most zones
- Shade hives if possible
- Water source within 50m
- Super management ongoing
- Evening inspections only
January Self-Sufficiency Focus
Water Management
If you've got tanks, January is when they start working hard. The subtropical and tropical zones might get good top-ups from storm activity, but everyone else is drawing down. Water in the early morning (before 7am) to reduce evaporation. Mulch everything that's not moving.
Food Preservation
This is peak preserving season for stone fruit. If you're not making jam, bottling peaches, or drying apricots, you're missing out. Tomato passata season is in full swing too. Your future self will thank you come winter.
Energy Planning
Solar panels are earning their keep this month. If you've got a battery system, you're laughing. For everyone else, pre-cool your house in the morning and shift your heavy power use to off-peak times. Your electricity bill will thank you.
January 2026 Market Outlook
Based on Gann cycles and seasonal patterns, here's what to expect at the markets and shops this month.
| Category | Trend | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Stone Fruit | Abundant/Low prices | Peak season. Buy bulk for preserving. |
| Leafy Greens | Premium/High prices | Heat damage = limited supply. |
| Mangoes | Peak supply | Best prices of the year. |
| Energy | Peak pricing | Air con demand = high grid prices. |
January Pest & Disease Watch
The combination of heat and humidity (or just heat in the dry zones) brings its own set of problems. Here's what to watch for.
| Pest/Disease | Risk Level | Zones Affected | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fruit Fly | Very High | All except cool temperate | Traps essential. Bag ripening fruit. |
| Spider Mites | High | Mediterranean, Arid, Warm Temp | Check undersides of leaves. Hose off. |
| Fungal diseases | High | Subtropical, Tropical | Improve airflow. Copper spray preventive. |
| Powdery Mildew | Moderate | Warm & Cool Temperate | Milk spray (1:9 ratio). Morning only. |
January 2026: Key Takeaways
- Prepare for wet: La Niña means more rain than usual - check drainage and prepare for waterlogging
- Preserve the harvest: Stone fruit and tomatoes won't wait - process them now
- Watch your livestock: Heat stress kills - take it seriously
- Flood awareness: Eastern states expecting 150% normal rainfall - have a flood plan ready
- Plan ahead: Start ordering autumn seeds - you'll need them before you know it
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