Harvest Your Personal Greens: DIY Gardening Explained
Spiking your grocery bill? Grow your own edibles and slash it down! From an array of veggies and herbs in containers, to take it to the next level with a garden plot or a fruit-filled landscape teeming with chickens, rabbits, or goats – the possibilities are endless!
Grab your work boots, as DIY gardening does demand a bit of time, energy, and cash to get going, but the delicious, home-grown rewards are well worth it. Nutritious food, fresh air, sunshine – all leading to a boosted mental and physical health.
Begin with your taste buds front and center! Grow what you'll truly enjoy munching – it'll keep you motivated to succeed when harvest time comes knocking.
Tastebud tango tip: Home-grown tomatoes are the go-to! Check out juicy cherry tomatoes, sweet heirlooms, or flavorful Romanas for some palate-pleasing options. When in Hawaii, keeping it local never tasted this good!
Lettuce level up your leafy greens game: Manoa or Anuenue, Manoa lettuce, thrives here, and seeds are easily obtained from the UH Seed lab. For Caesar salad fanatics, toss in some Romaine and revel in culinary delights.
Google "seed lab uh Manoa" to unearth the comprehensive seed list at the lab, or browse the unique selections offered by Hawaii Seed Growers Network via their online store at hawaiiseedgrowersnetwork.com. Follow their blogs for helpful tips on cultivating food in the Aloha State.
Read Next: The Tasty Tomato Triumph
Meanwhile, don't forget to brush up on your cucumber impressions: Slice or pickle these crunchy gems, or let them chill solo as a delightful snack. By supporting them with a fence or trellis, you'll watch the magic happen as one vine delivers heapfuls of fresh cucumbers.
Pack in the vitamins with a mix of greens: Kale, chard, collards, or an ostentatious display of exotic spinaches are perfect for salads, soups, or stir-fries. Give cabbage and Chinese cabbage a spin, too – they're just right in pots or garden plots, and do best during cooler months or in partial shade.
Seriously, snow peas and French filet string beans? Dreamy! Choose your flavor-packed variety, and give them the TLC they need on sturdy poles or trellises. They're nitrogen powerhouses,too, sweetly sequestering nitrogen in their roots to help create a self-enriching ecosystem for your garden.
Now, let's swing over to the Nightshade family: Elevate your salsa game with juicy red and green peppers, whip up a flavorful omelette with eggplant, or steam smoky eggplants for an earthy side dish. Full of versatility, these Nightshade gems fit delightfully into any dish.
What's next? Unleash the radish revolution: with their crisp, peppery goodness, they're the perfect starting point for your root vegetable escapade. Plus, they grow in no time! In just a few short weeks, you'll be chomping on crunchy morsels!
Scroll down for the Swoon-worthy Squash Selection
Squash will be your sweet reward after a bit of patience: I'm a big fan of tough kabocha and vining chayote – both are resilient against stubborn pests. Kabocha requires a touch more patience yet offers a decadent, shelf-stable bounty when fully ripened. Forget zucchini and go for chayote: it's super easy to grow, boasts a similar mouthwatering flavor, and offers the pleasing perk of edible tendrils.
Gather some green onions and chives for an instant hit of oniony flavor that'll elevate any dish!
Keep your garden safe from pests: Hunt down slugs and snails with caution, as some may carry rat lung disease. Washing your veggies meticulously before every meal is a smart routine to maintain good health. While you're at it, pamper your greens with a triple-wash for those yummy, nutrient-rich home-grown treats.
If you've got the space, why not go wild with some Hawaiian heritage plants? Taro, 'uala, and various fruits have been nourishing locals for centuries. Your ancestors would be green with envy as you partake in the sweet rewards of tapering taro roots or the sun-kissed sweet potatoes.
When space is at a premium, pot up some sun-loving herbs like parsley, mint, oregano, basil, rosemary, and thyme. Protect them from the midnight munchers and nurture a lush bounty of fresh flavors for your daily meals.
Not standing at attention? No worries – take this growth spurt to the next level. Plant corn and create a "Three Sisters" garden with pole beans and squash vines for lustrous vertical growth and nutritious ground coverage.
Ready to take it to the next level? Consider incorporating fruit trees into your landscape – citrus, mango, avocado, and bananas are fabulous additions to the Hawaiian garden. Even the exotic lilikoi vine will thrive in Hawaii, teeming with juicy passion-fruit goodness! If you can get your hands on the white pineapple, grab it – it's sweeter and less acidic than the standard!
There's never been a better time to gather your tools and get started on your edible paradise. UH CTAHR offers a host of free publications on crop cultivation in Hawaii. Kathy Oshiro's informative guides, "Growing Fruit in Hawaii" and "Growing Vegetables in Hawaii," are great places to begin your journey.
Remember that healthy soil leads to healthy plants, so spoil your garden with some love and nutrients. Depleted soil? Consider compost, fertilizer, or a chemical-free organic approach to restore balance to your soil’s ecosystem.
For a bit of expert advice, reach out to the gals from FarmWorks Hawaii. They're merely an email away at [email protected].
Want more inspiration and hands-on assistance? Look no further than the Osher Lifelong Leaning Institute at UH Manoa. Their Tropical Gardening classes take place online every Monday from 2pm to 3:30pm – sign up now at "OLLI at UHM"!
Don't miss the Variety Showcase on the Bay View grounds at the stunning Outrigger Resort &Spa in Kona on Wednesday, May 21st! Delve into the latest innovations in edible plants, and delight in the taste of success as you expand your horticultural horizons – just $40 for general admission, or $25 for our fellow farmers who RSVP before the event at [email protected]!
Growing your own garden isn't just about feeding your belly – it's fulfilling, educational, and enjoyable for the whole family. Get ready to indulge in delectable home-grown cuisine while creating lifelong memories together.
Upcoming Garden Events
Pre-order Leaf Resistant Coffee Trees from the UH CTAHR office in Kainaliu. Catimor hybrid seedlings and grafted trees are available now. Don't wait – call Andrea Katsumi to express interest: [email protected].
Monday, May 19th: "Soil less Ginger, BBTV IPM Prevention Strategies & Pesticide Safety" from 2pm to 4pm at the Kona Cooperative Extension Office. Contact Dr. Amjad Ahmad for information and registration: [email protected].
Sunday to Friday, May 19th-23rd: "North American Plant Breeders Annual Meeting" -> more information.
Wednesday, May 21st: "Variety Showcase" – 4pm to 7pm at the enchanting Kona Outrigger Resort. Love yourself some new plants? This is the event for you! Tickets cost $40 at https://e.sparxo.com/Variety-Showcase-Hawaii-Island.
Thursday, May 22nd: "Field Day on Coffee Desuckering and Vertical Selection" from 9am to 11am at the Kona Research Station. Register for this free event by contacting Matt at (808) 322-0164 at least two days prior.
Save the dates:
Sunday to Saturday, May 25th – 31st: "Ka'u Coffee Festival". Learn and chow down at workshops, events, and more – website.
Through June 30th, 2025: "CBB-CLR Pesticide Subsidy Program for 2024-2025" – applications now open. Contact hdoa.hawaii.gov/pi/main/cbbsubsidy/ for more information.
July 17th-19th: "Hawaii Coffee Association Annual Conference" – plan your visit to their website.
Farmer direct markets:
Wednesday: "Ho'oulu Farmer's Market" – 9am to 2pm at Sheraton Kona Resort at Keauhou Bay
Saturday: "Keauhou Farmer's Market" – 8am to noon at Keauhou Shopping Center
"Kamuela Farmer's Market" – 7:30am to noon at Pukalani Stables
"Waimea Town Market" – 7:30am to noon at the Parker School in central Waimea
"Waimea Homestead Farmer's Market" – 7:30am to noon at Waimea middle and elementary school playground
Sunday: "Pure Kona Green Market" – 9am to 2pm at Amy Greenwell Garden in Captain Cook
"Hamakua Harvest" – 9am to 2pm at Hwy 19 and Mamane Street in Honokaa
Plant advice lines: For any gardening questions, contact the UH-CES in Kainaliu at email – Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9am to noon. Alternatively, visit the UH CES at Konohana in Hilo on Monday, Tuesday, or Friday from 9am to noon.
Diana Duff is a plant adviser, educator, and consultant with two green thumbs. Connect with her at her website for more garden musings and eco-friendly gardening advice.
Consider subscribing to Diana's newsletter for exclusive gardening insights – subscribe.
- Don't overlook the potential benefits of homegrown herbs for your 'home-and-garden' and 'lifestyle'; basil, parsley, oregano, rosemary, thyme, and mint can spice up your dishes while adding a touch of green to your garden space.
- To level up your 'food-and-drink' game, don't forget the importance of herbs in creating flavorful dishes; fresh herbs can elevate the taste of your meals, especially when paired with homegrown veggies like kale, chard, collards, or exotic spinaches.
- For a self-sustaining ecosystem in your garden, consider growing nitrogen-fixing plants like snow peas or French filet string beans. They help enrich the soil with nitrogen while offering delicious and nutritious produce.
