Understanding Philippine Growing Seasons
The Philippines has two main seasons that shape your garden calendar. Understanding these is the foundation of knowing what to plant and when.
- Dry Season (Tag-init / Tag-araw) - December to May: Lower humidity, less rainfall, and more predictable sunlight. This is prime planting time for most vegetables, especially heat-sensitive ones like lettuce and cool-weather crops during the cooler months (December-February). The hottest period is March to May.
- Wet Season (Tag-ulan) - June to November: Heavy rainfall, high humidity, frequent typhoons (especially August-October), and increased pest and fungal pressure. Focus on water-tolerant crops and ensure excellent drainage in containers.
Metro Manila and nearby areas experience these seasons predictably, though climate patterns can shift by 2-3 weeks in any given year. Container gardeners have an advantage during wet season because pots can be moved under cover during heavy downpours.
Dry Season Planting Guide (December - May)
December - The Perfect Time to Start
December is the ideal month to begin a garden in the Philippines. The habagat (southwest monsoon) has ended, temperatures are cooler (24-29 degrees Celsius in Metro Manila), and you have months of manageable weather ahead.
- Plant: Lettuce, pechay, carrots, radish, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, beets, green peas, onions, garlic
- Harvest: Kangkong and pechay planted in October, late-season okra
- Garden tasks: Prepare soil for the new season. Mix fresh compost into containers. Plan your dry season garden layout. Start seedlings indoors for transplanting in January.
January - Cool Weather Crops Peak
The coolest month in the Philippines (22-28 degrees Celsius in Metro Manila). This is your window for crops that struggle in tropical heat.
- Plant: Lettuce (all varieties), spinach, celery, strawberries (in highland-like conditions), more pechay, snap peas, snow peas
- Harvest: Radish planted in December (25-35 days), early lettuce, pechay
- Garden tasks: Succession plant lettuce every 2 weeks for continuous harvest. Mulch containers to retain soil moisture as dry season intensifies.
February - Transition Month
Temperatures begin warming. Last chance for some cool-weather crops.
- Plant: Tomatoes (start seedlings), sili, eggplant, squash, ampalaya, sitaw, cucumber. Last planting window for lettuce until next November.
- Harvest: Lettuce, pechay, carrots planted in December (70-80 days), radish
- Garden tasks: Set up trellises for climbing crops (sitaw, ampalaya). Begin regular fertilizer schedule. Check for aphids as dry weather attracts them.
March - Heat Begins
Temperatures climb to 30-35 degrees Celsius. This is the start of the hot dry period.
- Plant: Kangkong, okra, sili labuyo, sweet potato (kamote) cuttings, malunggay cuttings, bitter gourd, patola (sponge gourd)
- Harvest: Tomatoes planted in February (first fruits), pechay, kangkong (continuous)
- Garden tasks: Increase watering frequency to twice daily (morning and late afternoon). Add mulch to all containers. Move sensitive plants to partial shade. Begin composting kitchen scraps for the wet season.
April - Peak Heat Management
One of the hottest months. Garden focus shifts to heat management and harvesting.
- Plant: Kangkong (thrives in heat), sweet potato, malunggay, saluyot, alugbati, mung beans. Heat-tolerant crops only.
- Harvest: Tomatoes, eggplant, sili, sitaw, squash, ampalaya
- Garden tasks: Water deeply and consistently. Use shade cloth (50-70% shade) for sensitive plants. Watch for spider mites which thrive in hot, dry conditions. Prepare containers for wet season crops.
May - End of Dry Season
The hottest month, with early rains possible toward the end. Transition period.
- Plant: Start wet-season crops in seedling trays - kangkong, okra, gabi (taro). Plant sunflowers for rainy season blooms.
- Harvest: Last dry season tomatoes, eggplant, sili, okra, squash
- Garden tasks: Clean and replenish soil in containers. Add fresh compost and vermicast. Improve drainage by adding rice hull to soil mix. Stake tall plants before monsoon winds arrive. Move containers under partial cover if possible.
Refresh your soil for the new season
New planting season? Replenish your containers with premium loam soil. Same-day delivery across Metro Manila via Lalamove.
Shop Soil →Wet Season Planting Guide (June - November)
June - Monsoon Arrives
The habagat begins. Regular afternoon rains become the norm. Shift to water-tolerant crops.
- Plant: Kangkong (water spinach), okra, gabi (taro), sweet potato, malunggay, saluyot, alugbati, mung beans
- Harvest: Kangkong (continuous), late ampalaya, sili
- Garden tasks: Check all drainage holes - clogged holes cause root rot during heavy rains. Elevate containers on pot feet or bricks. Apply fungicide preventatively for fungal diseases. Remove standing water from saucers.
July - Heavy Rains
Peak monsoon period begins. Rainfall is heavy and frequent in Metro Manila and nearby areas.
- Plant: Kangkong, taro, sweet potato. Indoor herbs (basil, mint) in windowsill pots. Microgreens indoors.
- Harvest: Kangkong, okra, malunggay leaves (continuous)
- Garden tasks: Move containers under eaves or covered areas during typhoons. Check for slugs and snails which thrive in wet conditions. Apply organic slug deterrent (crushed eggshells around stems). Prune damaged or yellowing leaves promptly to prevent fungal spread.
August - Typhoon Season Peak
Highest typhoon risk month. Garden survival is the priority.
- Plant: Only quick-harvest crops - kangkong, mung bean sprouts (indoor), microgreens (indoor). Not ideal for starting new outdoor plantings.
- Harvest: Kangkong, malunggay, sweet potato leaves (use as greens)
- Garden tasks: Typhoon preparedness - secure or bring in all lightweight containers. Group heavy pots in sheltered corners. Have shade cloth or plastic sheeting ready to protect plants from wind-driven rain. After each typhoon, flush soil with clean water to remove salt residue if wind came from the sea.
September - Continued Rains
Rains continue but typhoon frequency may decrease slightly. A good time to plan your dry season garden.
- Plant: Kangkong, pechay (with rain protection), sili seedlings for dry season harvest
- Harvest: Kangkong, malunggay, sweet potato tubers (if planted in June), gabi
- Garden tasks: Order soil and supplies for the dry season. Start composting in earnest - rainy season scraps break down faster. Begin seedling trays for November transplanting. Clean and repair containers.
October - Rains Tapering
Late monsoon rains. The transition back to dry season begins toward month end.
- Plant: Pechay, kangkong, start tomato and eggplant seedlings indoors for November transplant, green onions from scraps
- Harvest: Kangkong, pechay, sweet potato, taro, okra, sili
- Garden tasks: Prepare containers for dry season. Refresh soil - add compost and rice hull. Start hardening off seedlings started indoors. Last chance to divide and propagate herbs before the growing season.
November - New Season Begins
The amihan (northeast monsoon) arrives, bringing cooler, drier air. The best month for planting after December.
- Plant: Lettuce, pechay, tomato transplants, eggplant transplants, sili transplants, carrots, radish, beans, garlic (for February harvest), onions, herbs (basil, cilantro, rosemary)
- Harvest: Last wet-season kangkong, pechay, malunggay
- Garden tasks: Full garden reset. Replace spent soil in containers. Set up new soil mixes. Install trellises. Map out your dry season garden. Plant succession crops every 2 weeks starting now.
Complete 12-Month Planting Calendar
| Month | Season | Plant These | Harvest These | Key Task |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| December | Dry (cool) | Lettuce, pechay, carrots, radish, cabbage, garlic | Late kangkong, pechay | Prepare soil, start seedlings |
| January | Dry (coolest) | Lettuce, spinach, celery, snap peas, pechay | Radish, lettuce, pechay | Succession plant lettuce |
| February | Dry (warming) | Tomatoes, sili, eggplant, squash, ampalaya, sitaw | Lettuce, carrots, pechay | Set up trellises |
| March | Dry (hot) | Kangkong, okra, sili, malunggay, bitter gourd | Tomatoes, pechay, kangkong | Increase watering, add mulch |
| April | Dry (hottest) | Kangkong, sweet potato, malunggay, mung beans | Tomatoes, eggplant, sili, sitaw | Use shade cloth, deep watering |
| May | Dry-Wet transition | Wet-season seedlings, kangkong, sunflowers | Last tomatoes, squash, sili | Refresh soil, improve drainage |
| June | Wet | Kangkong, okra, taro, sweet potato, mung beans | Kangkong, ampalaya, sili | Check drainage, elevate pots |
| July | Wet (heavy) | Kangkong, taro, indoor herbs, microgreens | Kangkong, okra, malunggay | Fungal prevention, slug control |
| August | Wet (typhoon) | Quick crops only - kangkong, sprouts, microgreens | Kangkong, malunggay | Typhoon prep, secure containers |
| September | Wet | Kangkong, pechay (with cover), sili seedlings | Kangkong, sweet potato, taro | Plan dry season, start seedlings |
| October | Wet (tapering) | Pechay, green onions, start indoor seedlings | Kangkong, pechay, okra, sili | Prepare dry season containers |
| November | Dry begins | Lettuce, tomatoes, eggplant, carrots, radish, herbs | Kangkong, pechay, malunggay | Full garden reset, fresh soil |
Crops You Can Plant Year-Round in the Philippines
Several vegetables and herbs grow well regardless of season in Metro Manila and nearby areas:
- Kangkong (Water Spinach): The most versatile Philippine vegetable. Thrives in both wet and dry conditions. Plant any month. View growing guide
- Pechay: Grows in 25-35 days year-round. During wet season, provide overhead cover to prevent leaf damage from heavy rain. View growing guide
- Sili (Chili Peppers): Once established, produces continuously for 6-12 months regardless of season. View growing guide
- Malunggay (Moringa): Grows aggressively in all conditions. Cut back during typhoon season to prevent wind damage. View growing guide
- Green Onions: Regrow from scraps year-round indoors or outdoors.
- Herbs (Basil, Mint): Grow indoors year-round. Outdoor basil may struggle during heavy monsoon months but recovers quickly.
Seasonal Garden Management Tips
Dry Season Tips (December - May)
- Water early morning (6-7 AM) and late afternoon (4-5 PM) during hot months
- Apply 2-3 inches of mulch (rice hull, dried leaves, or coco coir) to reduce water loss
- Use shade cloth (50% shade) for lettuce, herbs, and seedlings during March-May
- Fertilize every 2 weeks with diluted liquid fertilizer or top-dress with vermicast
- Check for spider mites and aphids weekly - both thrive in hot, dry conditions
Wet Season Tips (June - November)
- Elevate all containers on pot feet, bricks, or shelving to prevent waterlogging
- Ensure every pot has at least 3-5 drainage holes that are not clogged
- Remove saucers from under pots to prevent standing water
- Apply organic fungicide preventatively every 2 weeks
- Check for slugs, snails, and fungal spots daily during peak rain months
- Have a covered area (eaves, carport, or temporary shelter) to move plants during typhoons
- Reduce fertilizer during heavy rains - nutrients wash out quickly, and over-fertilizing stressed plants causes more harm
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best month to start a garden in the Philippines?
November and December are the best months to start a garden in the Philippines. The rainy season is ending, temperatures are cooler, and you have the entire dry season ahead for most crops to establish and produce. However, you can start container gardening any month of the year with the right plant selection.
What vegetables grow during the wet season in the Philippines?
Kangkong, sweet potato (kamote), taro (gabi), malunggay, and okra thrive during the wet season (June to November). These plants can handle heavy rains and high humidity. Avoid planting tomatoes, lettuce, and carrots during peak rainy months as they are prone to rot and fungal disease.
Can I plant vegetables year-round in the Philippines?
Yes, many vegetables can be planted year-round in the Philippines, including kangkong, pechay, sili, and most herbs. However, some crops perform significantly better in specific seasons. Lettuce and cool-weather crops do best from November to February, while water-loving plants like kangkong and taro excel during the wet season.
What is the difference between wet season and dry season gardening?
Wet season (June to November) brings heavy rains, high humidity, and more pest pressure. Focus on water-tolerant crops and ensure good drainage. Dry season (December to May) offers more control over watering and is ideal for most vegetables, especially heat-sensitive ones like lettuce (in the cooler months). Both seasons require different watering, mulching, and pest management strategies.