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Hawaii Gardening

wet side Waimea gardening (Big Island)

16 years ago

Aloha everyone!

My husband and I are moving to the Big Island this coming August. We own a home on the "wet side" of Waimea town and have a pretty big lot that I want to grow veggies on. Can anyone give me some ideas as to what grows best over there? I'm thinking tomatoes, lettuce, onions, herbs, squash?? - and I already have a couple of citrus trees and an avocado. I'd like to plant some more tropicals too, like mango, ginger and cherimoya as well as some flowering bushes/shrubs etc. But I'm not sure those things grow well there since it's a colder area. Anyway, any advice would be deeply appreciated!!

Mahalo!

Tracey

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Comments (7)

randg
16 years ago
You are lucky that you will live in a colder area of Hawaii! If I were you, I would plant Rambutan and Longan, my two favorite exotic tropical fruit trees. This two exotic trees need humid and cooler climate to thrive, and your area is perfect for it!
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Embothrium
16 years ago
Try the Hawaii Cooperative Extension web site.
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silversword
16 years ago
Hi Tracey,
Mango won't fruit at such a high elevation. "tomatoes, lettuce, onions, herbs, squash" all grow great, as do strawberries.

Waimea tomatoes are some of the best!! Gingers grow really good on the wet side.

Check your elevation and take a soil sample. and do as bboy says. There is a great plant sale at Mana road several times a year that is great for info. Also, if you go to the Farmer's market at Mana road on Saturday mornings you can talk to a lot of local farmers and find out what they are growing, and how. In Honoka'a there is a (or was! not sure, I've been gone a few years) great nursery on the side of Tex's. A man named Michael G. was instrumental in getting it started. He is a wealth of information!!!

Volunteer at farms, there are several, to learn the climate and plants.

You should have no trouble. The wet side of Waimea is a great place to grow just about anything!
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traceyg58
Original Author
16 years ago
Mahalo for the tips everyone! I can't wait to get over there and get started.
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lcg123
15 years ago
The Honokaa nursery next to Tex drivein closed just about a year ago...we miss it.
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silversword
15 years ago
Oh jeez. Sorry to hear that LCG. The Hilo Farmers Market (used to be off of Mamo St. on Wed and Sat) is really great for plants/foods/crafts. There's a good one between Keaau and Pahoa by Ainaloa subdivision too.

Try a "grocery store" garden in one spot. Basically, plant what you can find at the grocery store! You'll be surprised at what grows.
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RAWTALIA Marie
3 years ago
Be carful not to introduce fire ants to your area, many people selling plants have ants in the pots they sell.
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