During Wozupi wi (or May, the Moon for Planting), the Dakota people returned to their summer family homes and villages and varied their work according to the abundance of the season. As the soil thawed and the weather turned warm, families planted crops such as corn, squash, and beans, and harvested traditional medicines and indigenous plants. During this time of comparative abundance, people also fished the rivers and harvested the fruits, nuts, and roots of the nearby prairie, woods, and wetlands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Planting techniques varied by tribe and location, but most Dakota planted in hills or mounds of earth and would sometimes build small wooden platforms where they could watch over the crops and fend off birds and other animals attempting to eat their growing plants. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sticks, bones, and antlers were all used as tools for digging, planting, and raking the gardens. When the vegetables were ready for harvest, they would often be dried and placed in a cache pit\u2014a hole dug in the ground and lined with dry grass\u2014to be saved for later use. Once harvested, the crops planted during Wozupi wi would help sustain the Dakota people through the cold months of winter. <\/p>\n\n\n\n