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The nights get cooler and the days grow shorter, we step into a beautiful season of transition in Te Tai Tokerau. Autumn in Northland offers a unique opportunity for growers – especially those who grow according to maramataka and the natural rhythms of the whenua – to prepare the land, nourish the soil, and plant crops that will sustain whānau through winter and beyond.
At Awatea Organics, we follow the principles of regenerative gardening, rongoā, and traditional Māori knowledge to ensure everything we grow is in harmony with Papatūānuku. So what should you be planting now? Let’s dig in.
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1. Leafy Greens – Nourishing, Quick-Growing, and Cold-Tolerant
Northland’s warm soils and humid air mean leafy greens do really well throughout autumn. Try succession planting every 2–3 weeks to keep a continuous supply.
Plant now:
Lettuce (romaine, oak leaf, butterhead)
Spinach
Silverbeet
Kale
Rocket
Mustard greens
Watercress ( if near wetland or running water)
Tips:
Mulch well to keep the soil moist and protect tender greens from heavy rains.
Add a compost tea or worm juice to boost nitrogen for leaf growth.
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2. Root Vegetables – Filling and Resilient
Root crops sown now will be ready to harvest during Matariki and winter. These are staple kai for storage and soups.
Plant now:
Carrots (purple, orange, or heritage varieties)
Beetroot
Radishes
Turnips
Daikon
Spring onions
Florence fennel (bulb)
Tips:
Sow directly into the ground (roots don’t transplant well).
Keep soil loose and weed-free to encourage straight roots.
Use companion planting with marigold or nasturtium to deter pests.
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3. Brassicas – Prep for a Winter Harvest
While brassicas take a bit longer, planting them in autumn ensures a hearty winter kai. These are nutrient-dense and great for immune support.
Plant now (in trays or direct):
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Cabbage (red, green, or savoy)
Brussels sprouts (plant early in autumn)
Bok choy and tatsoi (fast-growing Asian greens)
Tips:
Watch for white butterfly caterpillars – use netting or homemade garlic spray.
Mix crushed eggshells or diatomaceous earth around the base to deter slugs and snails.
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4. Legumes – Soil-Builders and Protein-Rich Crops
Autumn is the last chance to plant fast-growing beans before the cold really sets in.
Plant now:
Bush beans (dwarf)
Snow peas and sugar snap peas
Broad beans (fava beans – great for winter!)
Tips:
Use trellises or bamboo stakes for climbing varieties.
Legumes fix nitrogen in the soil – plant alongside brassicas or leafy greens.
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5. Herbs and Rongoā Plants – Healing from the Ground Up
Herbs thrive in autumn, and some traditional rongoā plants also benefit from being established before winter.
Plant now:
Coriander
Parsley
Dill
Thyme
Mint (in pots so it doesn’t take over)
Kawakawa (semi-shade, rich soil)
Kūmarahou (plant in well-drained, slightly acidic soil)
Tips:
Herbs grow well in pots, raised beds, or along garden edges.
Regular harvesting helps encourage growth.
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6. Cover Crops – Feed the Soil
If you have garden beds resting this season, sow cover crops (also called green manure) to enrich the soil and reduce weeds.
Good cover crops for Northland:
Mustard
Buckwheat
Lupin
Clover
Oats or ryegrass
Tips:
Cut and dig in before flowering.
Adds organic matter and improves microbial life in your soil.
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7. Kūmara – Finishing Strong
If you planted kūmara in spring, now is the time to monitor and prepare for harvest (usually around late April–May, depending on maramataka). Make sure vines are dry and the leaves start to yellow.
Tip: Harvest on a dry day and leave the kūmara in the sun to cure for 3–5 days. Store in a cool, dark, airy place.
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Final Tips for Northland Growers This Season:
Mulch heavily: Autumn rain can compact soil and cause erosion. A good layer of mulch will help retain moisture and reduce weeds.
Watch for pests: Northland stays warm longer than the rest of the motu, so pests linger into autumn. Try neem, garlic spray, or companion planting to manage them naturally.
Feed the soil: Add compost, seaweed, or worm castings. Healthy soil = healthy kai.
Plan for winter: Start drawing up your winter crop plan, sharpen your tools, and repair beds, tunnels, or greenhouses now before the cold hits.
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Kua tae te wā – It’s time to grow!
The māra is a place of healing, connection, and abundance. Autumn invites us to slow down and invest in our soil, our hauora, and our whakapapa. Whether you’re growing kai for your whānau or to sell at the local market, growing with intention this season will prepare you well for the colder months ahead.
Maramataka planting dates for March–May (Ngahuru – Autumn)
NOTE: This is a general guide based on traditional northern maramataka phases. Always observe your local taiao (environment) and adjust to your own rohe.
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MARCH – Poutū-te-rangi
March is a time of harvesting summer crops and preparing the soil. It’s still warm enough to sow autumn crops and begin succession planting.
Key Phases:
Whiro to Tamatea (Dark Moon, Unsettled):
Activities: Weed, rest, plan, prepare compost.
Avoid: Planting seeds – low germination.
Ōturu, Rākaunui (Full Moon):
Activities: Best for planting leafy greens, herbs, and short crops. Excellent growth energy.
Rākaumatohi to Tangaroa a Mua (Waning Moon):
Activities: Root crops, transplanting, pest control.
Tangaroa a Roto to Mutuwhenua (End of Month):
Activities: Excellent for planting all crops, especially resilient autumn greens and legumes.
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APRIL – Paenga-whāwhā
Cooler nights settle in. Time to plant your brassicas and establish winter kai. Kūmara should be ready for harvesting.
Key Phases:
Whiro (New Moon):
Activities: Clean tools, dig beds, compost, moonlight garden walks for planning.
Avoid planting.
Ōturu & Rākaunui (Full Moon):
Activities: Plant spinach, rocket, kale, herbs like coriander and parsley.
Tangaroa a Mua – Tangaroa Whakapau:
Activities: Root vegetables (carrots, beets, radishes), broad beans, spring onions.
Tip: Add seaweed tea for root nourishment.
Mutuwhenua:
Activities: Harvest kūmara if the vines have yellowed. Let them cure in the sun.
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MAY – Haratua
Winter is approaching. This is the last good month for most crops before the cold. Focus on soil building, pest-proofing, and planting hardy varieties.
Key Phases:
Whiro – Tamatea:
Activities: Mulch, compost, repair garden structures.
Avoid: Most planting.
Rākaunui:
Activities: Sow final crops of spinach, kale, and coriander.
Tip: Use cloches or tunnels to protect seedlings.
Tangaroa (Waning Moon):
Activities: Great time for garlic, broad beans, and green manure crops.
Tip: This is the best time to establish your cover crops and feed the soil for spring.
At Awatea Organics, we’re here to support you. Follow us on social media for daily updates, seed saving tips, and behind-the-scenes looks at our Northland māra.
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