Trees, plants, pots, and everything you need to cultivate your garden and passion.
Gods and Goddesses from various cultures who are connected to gardening, agriculture, or the earth.
- Demeter: Goddess of agriculture, grain, and harvest. She is associated with the fertility of the earth and the growth of plants.
- Persephone: Daughter of Demeter, associated with the growth of vegetation, especially during the spring and summer.
- Ceres: Roman equivalent of Demeter, goddess of agriculture, grain, and fertility.
- Pomona: Goddess of fruit trees, gardens, and orchards.
- Freyja: Goddess of fertility, love, and beauty. Though more widely known for her associations with love and beauty, she also has a connection to the fertility of the earth.
- Freyr: God of fertility, prosperity, and good harvests, often invoked for fruitful land and bountiful crops.
- Osiris: God of the afterlife and agriculture, associated with the flooding of the Nile and the growth of crops.
- Isis: Goddess of magic and nature, often associated with fertility and the nurturing of the land.
- Rongo-mā-Tāne: God of peace and cultivated plants. He is responsible for the growth of crops and the fertility of the soil.
- Tāne Mahuta: God of forests and birds, also associated with all forms of plant life.
- Prithvi: Earth goddess, representing the earth as fertile and nurturing.
- Bhoomi: Another earth goddess, similar to Prithvi, often associated with the land and agriculture.
- Tailtiu: Goddess of agriculture, associated with the fertility of the land.
- Brigid: Goddess of fertility, healing, and poetry, also linked to the earth and agricultural productivity.
- Tlaloc: God of rain, fertility, and water, essential for crop growth.
- Xochiquetzal: Goddess of flowers, love, and fertility, connected to gardening and the beauty of plants.
- Pachamama: Earth goddess, worshipped as the provider of food and fertility, essential for agriculture and gardening.
- Mokosh: Goddess of fertility, earth, and women, often associated with the nurturing and productivity of the land.
- Rod: God of fertility and family, linked to the earth’s abundance and agricultural success.
- Inari: Deity of rice, fertility, and prosperity, often depicted as connected to agriculture and the earth.
- Toyouke-Ōmikami: Goddess of agriculture and food, responsible for the bounty of the harvest.
- Enki: God of water, wisdom, and creation, connected to the life-giving properties of water in agriculture.
- Ninlil: Goddess of the air and grain, associated with the fertility of the earth and crop growth.
- Ala (Igbo): Goddess of fertility, the earth, and morality, revered for her role in the growth of crops.
- Asase Yaa (Akan): Earth goddess, responsible for the fertility of the land and agricultural success.
- Corn Mother (Various Tribes): A central figure in many Native American cultures, representing the earth’s fertility and the life-giving properties of maize.
- Selu (Cherokee): Corn goddess, associated with the growth and harvest of crops, especially corn.
Planting Guide
Bag Sizes and Dimensions
Useful guide to plant container sizes. Below is a guide to our bag sizes:
| Litre | Planter Bag (PB) |
|---|---|
| 1L | PB3/4 |
| 1.5L | PB2 |
| 2L | PB3 |
| 3L | PB5 |
| 5L | PB6.5 |
| 8L | PB12 |
| 10L | PB18 |
| 17L | PB28 |
| 25L | PB40 |
| 35L | PB60 |
| 45L | PB95 |
Planting Instructions
Digging the Hole
- Dig a hole wider and to the same depth as the planter bag.
- Break up the soil at the bottom and mix in some topsoil to aid aeration and root development.
- Gently trim any roots that are bound around or under the rootball.
- Position the tree in the hole, ensuring the top of the rootball is level with the surrounding soil.
- Refill the hole, firming the soil as you go to avoid air pockets.
- Note: For a clay base break up and add gypsum for aeration.
Staking the Tree
- Stake all trees, ideally using two stakes placed beyond the rootball.
- Tie the tree with a non-abrasive material, like an old bike tube, allowing for slight movement to encourage root strength.
- Larger trees may require three or more stakes.
- Keep trees staked for at least a year, or longer for larger trees.
Watering Guidelines
- Water slowly with a bucket or a dribbling hose immediately after planting.
- Water regularly during warmer months, gradually reducing frequency as the roots establish.
- Monitor soil moisture, particularly during hot summers; newly planted trees may need extra watering.
- In winter, deciduous trees require minimal watering, while evergreens need year-round monitoring.
Mulching
- Apply 3-4 inches of mulch around the root zone to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
Fertilizing
- Use a slow-release fertilizer to provide essential nutrients.
Ok so sometimes it takes a little more than this… it always pays to discuss the requirements of each plant with Christine or Bob before planting – just to make sure all the factors that can be evaluated before giving your plant a new home are covered.
Key Māori Wisdom in Growing Plants:
Maramataka (Māori Lunar Calendar):
- The Maramataka is the traditional Māori lunar calendar, guiding the timing of planting, harvesting, fishing, and other activities. It divides the lunar month into phases, each phase indicating the best time for different activities. For example, the period of Whiro is considered an unsuitable time for planting, while Rākaunui (the full moon) is ideal for sowing seeds, as it is believed that plants absorb the most energy during this time.
Mauri (Life Force):
- Mauri is the life force present in all living things. For the Māori, maintaining the mauri of the land and plants is crucial. Practices such as karakia (prayers or incantations) are performed to protect and enhance the mauri of the soil and plants. These rituals express gratitude and ensure that the plants grow strong and healthy.
Kaitiakitanga (Guardianship):
- The concept of kaitiakitanga involves guardianship of the environment. Māori traditionally see themselves as caretakers of the land, ensuring that their agricultural practices do not harm the environment. This includes sustainable farming methods, such as rotating crops and allowing the land to rest (similar to fallowing in other cultures), ensuring that the soil remains fertile and healthy.
Whenua (Land) as a Living Entity:
- Whenua (land) is not just a resource but a living entity that provides for the people. The Māori treat the land with respect, knowing that it sustains them. They believe that if the land is treated well, it will, in turn, provide bountifully.
Ngā Atua (Gods of Nature):
- Different gods or atua are associated with various elements of nature. For example, Tāne Mahuta is the god of the forest and all living creatures within it, while Rongo-mā-Tāne is the god of cultivated plants. Māori might invoke these gods through karakia to seek their blessings for a fruitful harvest.
Practical Applications:
- Respectful Harvesting: Only taking what is needed, ensuring that the plant or tree can continue to grow and thrive.
- Observing Natural Signs: Watching for natural indicators like the flowering of certain plants or the behavior of animals, which can signify the best times to plant or harvest.
- Sustainable Practices: Using natural methods for pest control, crop rotation, and soil enrichment to maintain the health of the land.
These practices reflect a deep connection with nature and an understanding that human activity is part of a larger ecological system. By following these principles, the Māori ensure that their relationship with the land is one of balance and reciprocity.