Matariki / Winter Planting for Tupuānuku
Winter Planting for Tupuānuku
Children plant cool-season seeds such as peas and broad beans, linking Tupuānuku, the Matariki star connected to food grown in the ground, with caring for a garden through winter.
How to run it
- Share that Tupuānuku is the star connected to food grown in the soil and that Matariki has been a time to look back on the harvest and plan ahead.
- Fill pots or a garden bed with potting mix and let children make holes with a finger to the depth on the seed packet.
- Plant peas, broad beans or snow peas, cover gently and water in.
- Make a label for each pot with the child's name and a picture of what they hope will grow.
You will need
- pea, broad bean or snow pea seeds
- potting mix
- pots or a garden bed
- watering can
- pop sticks for labels
- markers
Make it easier or harderYounger children can plant large seeds like broad beans; older children can keep a growth diary over the following weeks.
SafetyWear gloves for potting mix, wash hands afterwards and avoid inhaling dust from the bag.
My Time Our Place · Outcome 2, Outcome 4Children care for living things and connect seasonal planting to Māori knowledge of the stars.
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