Moon Gardening Calendar October 2026: Best Days to Plant

One of the biggest challenges for beginner gardeners is knowing what to plant and when. For many people wanting to develop their green thumb, it can be tricky to know where to start. Not to mention, deciding what to plant can feel overwhelming. That’s where moon gardening comes in.

Whether you’re a firm believer in lunar gardening or simply looking for a structured planting schedule, following the moon’s phases can help take the guesswork out of gardening.

What is moon gardening?

Moon gardening offers a simple schedule set around the moon’s cycle that can remove decision fatigue and give beginners the confidence to get started.

Jump to gardening tips for Libra season

The best time to plant according to the October 2026 moon cycle

So what is the best time to plant according to the moon in October 2026? First, it depends on what you want to plant.

The moon enters Scorpio at 1:21 am on October 12, making this the best day to plant your above-ground crops. Sow seeds and plant seedlings that produce above-ground crops. Also, plant out flowering shrubs, annuals and fruit trees.

For below-ground crops, wait until October 21 when the moon enters Pisces at 10:35 pm.

Download our free moon gardening calendar

While the above dates are considered the month’s best planting dates, they aren’t the only ones to mark in your calendar. Download the free Better Homes and Gardens moon gardening calendar by astrologer Milton Black to find all best planting days and when to weed, prune, and transplant. Plus, the dates you should avoid planting anything altogether because of where the sun is sitting.

Gardening tips for Libra season

Venus, Libra’s ruling planet of love, colour, peace and harmony, spends this month in the intense sign of Scorpio. Your need for peace, tranquillity and physical love will be absolute and deeply felt. For a Libra, there’s no greater pleasure than sharing something beautiful with someone you love, and this month you’ll attract plenty of affection and passion.

Bring that same energy to your garden by planting daring flowers that will enhance how people feel about you. You’ll find that a pot of angelica and juniper combines sweet scents that attract love at first bite, especially if you combine them in cooking. It’s like a magnet, drawing a little extra love into every dish you share.

Astrologer Milton Black Astrologer

Milton Black has been writing a monthly moon gardening guide and calendar for Better Homes and Gardens Australia magazine since 2003. Milton is widely regarded as one of Australia's leading astrologers and has been featured across national radio and television since 1974. You can find out more about his work at www.miltonblack.com.au.