Vegetable Planting Calendar in the Philippines

Knowing which vegetable planting calendar to follow in the Philippines makes the difference between a struggling garden and a productive one. Filipino gardeners can grow vegetables every month of the year, but choosing the right crop for the current season is critical. This guide covers over 25 common vegetables with their ideal planting windows mapped across all 12 months.

For the complete month-by-month breakdown including herbs and ornamentals, see our master planting calendar.

How to Read This Vegetable Calendar

The table below uses a simple colour system to show when each vegetable grows best in the Philippines:

• Best means this is the optimal planting window. Expect the highest yields and easiest growing conditions.
• OK means you can still plant, but yields may be lower or extra care is needed (shade cloth, extra watering, etc.).
• Avoid means conditions are too challenging for reliable results. Focus on other crops during these months.

Complete Vegetable Planting Calendar

Leafy Green Vegetables

Leafy greens are the fastest and easiest vegetables to grow in the Philippines. Most are ready for harvest in under 30 days, making them perfect for beginners and small-space gardeners.

Cool-Season Leafy Greens (Best: November to February)

• Lettuce needs cool temperatures to form tight heads. Grows best from November to February in the lowlands. Harvest in 30 to 45 days. Bolts (goes to seed) quickly in heat.
• Repolyo (Cabbage) requires 60 to 90 days to mature. Plant in November for a January harvest. Needs rich, well-drained soil with regular feeding.
• Carrots need loose, sandy soil for straight roots. Direct sow from November to January for the sweetest roots. Takes 70 to 80 days to harvest.

Year-Round Leafy Greens

• Kangkong is the ultimate year-round green. Grows in soil or water in any season. Cut above the second node and it regrows for multiple harvests.
• Pechay tolerates more heat than lettuce, making it plantable almost year-round. Avoid only the hottest months of April and May.
• Malunggay produces nutrient-dense leaves continuously once established. One tree supplies a family with greens every week.

Wet-Season Leafy Greens (Best: May to October)

• Alugbati thrives in heat and humidity. This vine produces thick, nutritious leaves throughout the wet season. Train it on a trellis for easy picking.
• Saluyot grows vigorously during the rainy months. Rich in iron and calcium. Pick young tips every 2 weeks to encourage bushy growth.
• Kulitis (Amaranth) is a heat-loving leafy green that grows fast during the wet season. Harvest in 25 to 30 days by cutting the top 15cm of the plant.

Fruiting Vegetables

Fruiting vegetables need full sun and warm temperatures to produce flowers and fruit. Most do best during the dry season when consistent sunshine drives fruit development.

• Kamatis (Tomato) produces its best fruit from December to March. Start seeds 6 to 8 weeks before transplanting. Stake or cage plants for support. Avoid planting during heavy rains as excess moisture causes blossom end rot and fruit cracking.
• Talong (Eggplant) thrives in heat and produces for months once established. Plant from November to April for best results. Harvest fruit when skin is still shiny and firm.
• Sili (Chili) grows year-round but produces heaviest fruit loads during the dry season. A single plant can produce for over 12 months with proper care and feeding.
• Okra loves heat and produces pods quickly (55 to 60 days from planting). Best planted from February to June. Harvest pods every 2 days when they are 7 to 10cm long for the most tender results.
• Bell Pepper prefers the cool dry season for sweetest fruit. Plant from November to February. Needs well-drained soil and consistent watering.

Root Crops

Root crops need loose, well-drained soil to develop properly. Avoid heavy clay soils. Add sand and rice hull to improve soil structure for root vegetables.

• Kamote (Sweet Potato) grows from vine cuttings planted directly in moist soil. Thrives during the wet season. Harvest tubers 90 to 120 days after planting when leaves begin to yellow.
• Gabi (Taro) needs consistently moist soil and does best during the rainy months from May to September. Plant corms 10cm deep. Harvest in 6 to 8 months.
• Labanos (Radish) is a fast-growing root crop ready in 25 to 30 days. Plant during the cool dry season for the crispest roots. Direct sow seeds 1cm deep.
• Singkamas (Jicama) grows during the dry season and matures in 4 to 5 months. Needs a trellis for its climbing vine. Harvest the tuberous root when the vine starts to die back.
• Luya (Ginger) thrives in the wet season with warm temperatures and regular moisture. Plant rhizome pieces in May or June and harvest in 8 to 10 months.

Legumes and Vine Vegetables

Climbing vegetables maximise small spaces by growing vertically. They need sturdy trellises and regular harvesting to keep producing.

• Sitaw (String Beans) is the most popular vine vegetable in Philippine gardens. Grows year-round but produces best from February to July. Harvest pods daily when they reach 30 to 40cm for continuous production.
• Ampalaya (Bitter Gourd) needs strong trellises and full sun. Plant from February to May for best yields. Harvest fruit when still green and firm, about 2 weeks after flowering.
• Kalabasa (Squash) is a heavy feeder that needs rich soil and space. Best planted from February to May. Each vine can produce 5 to 8 large fruits. Harvest when skin is hard and dull.
• Patola (Sponge Gourd) grows quickly on trellises during the dry season. Plant from February to May. Harvest young fruit for eating or let mature for use as a natural sponge.
• Munggo (Mung Bean) fixes nitrogen in the soil, improving it for future crops. Plant from March to June. Harvest dried pods in 60 to 70 days.

Vegetable Planting Tips by Season

Dry Season Tips (November to May)

1. Mulch beds with 5cm of dried leaves or rice hull to conserve moisture
2. Water deeply in the morning rather than lightly throughout the day
3. Use shade cloth (50%) over cool-season crops when temperatures exceed 33 degrees Celsius
4. Start seeds in trays and transplant rather than direct sowing to conserve water

Wet Season Tips (June to October)

1. Raise beds or containers to prevent waterlogging and root rot
2. Apply organic fungicide preventatively every 2 weeks during heavy rain periods
3. Use well-draining soil mixes with extra rice hull or perlite
4. Harvest vegetables promptly to prevent rot and pest damage

Frequently Asked Questions