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Gardening by the maramataka

It is the month of Mahuru or Whiringa-ā-nuku. The new moon or Whitireia as we know it in Taranaki (Whiro in some other regions) appears on September 7 and we are almost fully into the kōanga (spring). Rākaunui, or the full moon, occurs on the 14th.

Knowing these nights is important in preparing for the planting season. If you live in the northern part of Te Ika-a-Māui (North Island), then your environment has a warmer winter period so a faster return to suitable soil and air temperatures for most plants. Crops that need chilling might not do so well but others that love the warm soils will prosper.

Further south, the incremental warming of the soils and air temperatures is evident by the behaviour of the seasonal trees as they whakapuāwai or begin to blossom; tarata in the north, kōwhai in the central regions leading to tī kōuka further south.

The colder regions present some spectacular flowering of introduced trees and bulbs with many natives being inconspicuous until summer. But the native biology, bees, birds and insects give us the telltale signs of spring through their renewed activity and move to prepare for their young.

The best days for early planting should follow soil preparation for planting on the 9th and planting on September 21 and 22 in the north. In colder regions, delay planting until October.

Dr Nick Roskruge

LETTERS

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2021-09-01T07:00:00.0000000Z

2021-09-01T07:00:00.0000000Z

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