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selwyn gardening guide spring <strong>2023</strong> | 9<br />
Maramataka<br />
gardening according<br />
to the moon cycle<br />
For Māori, each day within the moon’s cycle has its own name and energies. For<br />
each day, particular activities are recommended as being most suitable to the moon’s<br />
energy and your immediate environment and therefore most likely to succeed. This<br />
includes recommendations about when to plant and harvest particular types of crops,<br />
based on the understanding that the gravitational pull of the moon is influencing not<br />
only the tides but also the water in the soil.<br />
This calendar is called the Maramataka (from “marama” moon, “taka” to turn).<br />
Different hapū and iwi have different variations of this relevant to their different<br />
locations and histories – at least 400 variants have been recorded across the country!<br />
– but the overarching themes are highly similar.<br />
What does this mean for you in your garden?<br />
1. New Moon<br />
The moon starts waxing (increasing). Lunar gravity pulls moisture in the soil up, and<br />
the moonlight is increasing. This is the best time to plant green leafy crops. Seeds<br />
sown during this period will also do well.<br />
2. First Quarter<br />
Although the gravitational pull becomes less, the moonlight becomes stronger,<br />
creating strong leaf growth and stronger sap flow. This is a great time to plant most<br />
seedlings, especially crops with seeds inside.<br />
3. Full Moon<br />
The energy is drawing down. Sap starts to flow downwards. The gravitation pull is<br />
high, creating more moisture in the soil, but the moonlight is decreasing, putting<br />
energy into the roots. It’s the best time to sow and plant all root vegetables.<br />
4. Last Quarter<br />
As the moon wanes into darkness, the light and gravitational pull are both at their<br />
lowest. This is a time for rest. Avoid seed sowing. It’s a good time to prune, transplant<br />
and harvest.<br />
TAKING IT FURTHER<br />
Try that for a few months and make your own observations. If you want to take<br />
it further, there are extensive online materials about Maramataka, that break the<br />
recommendations for gardening and harvesting activities down even more precisely,<br />
day by day. There’s also beautiful journals and resources available, and many phone<br />
apps, to record your observations.<br />
Then if you want to take it even further, start noticing how the phases of the moon<br />
affect you. Maramataka contains guidance for best use of your personal energies too.<br />
A whole world awaits…
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