Haere mai! Welcome to my first “what you ought to do in your garden according to Maramataka Maōri for this month” guide. I will eventually think of a more nifty title!

Now, when I say February, I actually mean Huitanguru, the ninth month of the Māori year, which begins on the night of the New Moon (Whiro), this year that is the 12th February. I follow the Ātiawa version of Maramataka.

Please take mind that these are not hard and fast rules by any means, take into consideration your climate and what the weather is doing. You know your garden best and this ain’t gospel! If you have not read anything of mine regarding Maramataka I recommend you read this article here.

So without further ado, let’s get into it!

Whiro, 12th February

This is a time to plan; think about where you’re going to put all the seeds you sowed during last quarter or what you will sow for your autumn and winter crops. Generally though, whilst the moon is hidden, duck down yourself, put your feet up and relax.

Haohaoata, 14th February

If you weren’t able to get seeds sown during last quarter (did coincide with kids going back to school after all – or in our case, Unschoolers Camp in Foxton) today is the day to do it. Think not just about what you want to grow to eat but also cover crops/green manure crops like mustard (especially where solancae/nightshade family were growing) buckwheat and phacelia. It seems early but flowers and herbs for Autumn and Spring need to be sown now too – think hollyhock, calendula, chamomile and sweet pea. Coriander and dill.

Tamatea angaanga, 18th February

If the weather is playing nice (it can be unpredictable at this moon phase) it’s a good day for harvesting crops/seeds etc that require drying and storing (read, herbs, beans, corn, garlic/onion, potatoes).

Huna, 22 February

If you want to go woo woo – this is a beautiful night to give your appreciation to the ocean and the god of the sea, atua Tangaroa.

Māwharu, 23 February

The best day (very early morning or early evening) for foliar feeding your plants.

Rākaunui + Rākaumatohi, 27th (full moon) + 28th February

Full moon energy a go-go! A good day to plant plants out ~ especially root veges like carrot, beetroot, parsnips, turnips and swedes. Have you got any spring bulbs yet? Plant them during these two days.

Oike, 1st March

A give back moon, give your love (aroha) and appreciation to Papatūānuku and all that she gives you ~ what can you give back apart from caring for your patch of earth?

Korekore, 3rd March – 5th March

Take it easy my friends because we’re coming up to last quarter and if you want to be well set up for Autumn, Winter and Spring…Last quarter is going to be well busy!

Tangaroa piri a mua (Last Quarter), 6th March

Hold onto your hats people, we have five days of productive activity before we get near the next New Moon…

If you’ve got it in you, this is what you need to be doing for this months last quarter;

• Sow seeds, think of your greens; spinach, chard, miners lettuce, corn salad.
• Prick out seedlings, transplant and weed.
• Harvest, dry and store seeds, including your beans.
• Should have all your onion, garlic and shallots out and storing well. Check they’re all in a dry place and not going soft in any places.
• Spray roses with seaweed, make sure the roots are well moist and give ’em a liquid feed.
• Sow anemones and ranuculi for winter flowering.
• Finish planting all your spring bulbs (esp if in cool climate NZ)
• Water and feed your dahlias
• Take geranium cuttings
• If you haven’t already; prune apricots, peaches and plums, best to do this after your trees have fruited and before the cold sets in, to avoid silver leaf.

Get this all done by Thursday the 11th March you’ll be away laughing and relaxing for the New Moon period.

Hope you have found this useful! xx