Gardening by the maramataka

This is potentially the busiest month for your gardening calendar and one where all regions will be working towards full planting, mulching, watering if there is insufficient rain, and pest and disease management. November 4 and period from November 7-9 are good days for kūmara planting. All kūmara for this season should be in by the maramataka phase Ōrongonui or November 20 – otherwise they will be small and/or unproductive. Encourage birds in the garden, as most fruiting plants and trees are now setting fruit and young vege plants are a magnet for many pests. November 8 is the Rākaunui or the full moon and in colder areas you will need to protect young emerging plants such as potatoes and taewa from overnight cold temperatures. Following this three-day period (November 8-10) the risk of frosts should be over. The new moon is on the 24th, so from November 20-25, avoid planting and focus on other activities that support your māra. Dr Nick Roskruge