July 2026 Farmers Almanac
Climate, garden and farm outlook for the Dayboro valley
Climate Overview
| Zone | Max | Min | Rainfall | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dayboro (subtropical) | 20-22°C | 9-11°C | 40-55mm | Dry season. Cold nights, mild days. Frost inland common. |
How Did We Do in July?
Once a month is done we grade the almanac against what the Dayboro weather station actually recorded. The numbers below are straight from the station, no fudging.
| Metric | We said | Station recorded | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rainfall total | 40-55mm | 7.8mm | Below range |
| Average daily max | 20-22°C | 23.4°C | Above range |
| Average daily min | 9-11°C | 7.9°C | Below range |
| Hottest day | not forecast | 28.1°C | Recorded |
| Coldest night | not forecast | 3.4°C | Recorded |
| Wet days (1mm or more) | not forecast | 2 | Recorded |
| Frost nights (min 2°C or below) | not forecast | 0 | Recorded |
0 of 3 forecast metrics landed inside the promised range for July.
Forecast figures are the Subtropical zone row above. Recorded figures are Dayboro station daily summaries over 31 days, rainfall as the calendar month total.
Astronomical Events
Moon Phases
Sunrise / Sunset
Days are getting longer again after the solstice. Here's the welcome change across the month:
| City | 1st | Last | Daylight change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brisbane (AEST) | 6:37am - 5:04pm (10h 27m) | 6:27am - 5:20pm (10h 53m) | +26 min |
| Sydney (AEST) | 6:59am - 4:54pm (9h 55m) | 6:45am - 5:11pm (10h 26m) | +31 min |
| Melbourne (AEST) | 7:36am - 5:09pm (9h 33m) | 7:19am - 5:30pm (10h 11m) | +38 min |
| Perth (AWST) | 7:17am - 5:22pm (10h 05m) | 7:04am - 5:41pm (10h 37m) | +32 min |
Trend: days getting longer. Brisbane gains 26 minutes over the month, and the valley follows within a minute or two.
Planting Guide
Outdoor planting slows down in July but it does not stop, this is Dayboro, not Tasmania. Peas, brassicas and root crops still go in the ground, and late in the month you start tomato, capsicum and eggplant seed indoors for spring.
Dayboro valley
- Peas, broad beans (protected)
- Spinach, silverbeet, kale
- Radish, beetroot, carrots
- Indoors/greenhouse late month:
- Tomato seedlings
- Capsicum, eggplant seedlings
- Order seed potatoes
- Citrus continues
- Brassicas at peak, Brussels sprouts prime
- Root vegetables (parsnips improved by frost)
- Leeks
- Winter greens
Livestock Guide
Late pregnancy management matters this month. Birth season is coming up fast.
Cattle
- Midwinter care
- Supplementation critical for pregnant cows
- Monitor for cold stress
- Prepare calving areas
Sheep & Goats
- Late pregnancy
- Vaccinate for clostridial diseases
- Lambing/kidding preparation
- Shelter critical
Poultry
- Production at annual low
- Continue supplemental lighting
- Check waterers on frosty mornings
- Order spring chicks
Bees
- Minimal intervention
- Check hive weight for stores
- Emergency feeding if needed
- Don't open on cold days
Self-Sufficiency Focus
Planning Season
July is planning season. The seed catalogues are out, the evenings are long, and you finally have time to work out what earned its keep last summer and what did not. Order spring seed now, the popular varieties are gone well before you need them.
Energy Management
Heating demand continues but solar output is slowly improving. By late July you'll notice a slight uptick in daily generation. This is often the peak month for firewood consumption. Check your stores and source more if needed.
Key Takeaways
- Coldest month: Frost mornings in the valley, cover the sensitive plants
- Day length increasing: Noticeable by mid month after the solstice
- Start seedlings indoors: Tomatoes, capsicum, eggplant late month
- Order seeds: Popular varieties sell out, don't wait
- Birth prep: Lambing and kidding season approaching
- Brussels sprouts: At their best after frost