Fruit Tree and Vegetable Gardening in Oahu, Hawaii
The lush islands of Hawaii are home to over 135 fruits and thousands of cultivars. According to a publication by Hawaii's Big Island Agriculture, "It was recorded, that before the arrival of missionaries in Hawaii, there was no other fruit besides coconuts, bananas, and the mountain apple." Most famous for surf, sun, Pearl Harbor and Diamond Head, Oahu is ideal for growing many tropical fruits as well as a range of vegetables. Does this Spark an idea?
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Fruits
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Citrus, mango and avocado are plentiful on Oahu. Plants suitable to Oahu include mangoes, papaya, pineapple, guava, passion fruit, avocadoes, lemons, limes, tangerines, breadfruit, strawberries, jackfruit, sweet potatoes, bananas, melons, star fruit, lychees and figs. Lychee is one of the oldest of all cultivated fruit, dating back to China in 1059; lilikoi (or passion fruit) were brought to Hawaii in 1888 from Australia; and, the first pineapple field was begun on five acres of Oahu in 1885. Hundreds of varieties of banana, mango and avocado grow easily on the islands.
Vegetables
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Jicama, eggplant, Portuguese cabbage, turnips, long bean, sugar peas, sweet potatoes and bak choi
are popular vegetables to grow on Oahu. Other plants that do well are okra, soybeans, beets, some squashes, bittermelon and certain vining vegetables like cucumbers. Tomatoes can grow, but only certain varieties do well, and some pests and diseases create problems for them. -
Considerations
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Due to the heat of the islands, the watering needs of plants must be well regulated. Amendments from composted vegetation can help build up garden soil to yield healthy plants. One consideration is areas where winds can be problematic. Gardeners and farmers sometimes have to create wind screens to reduce potential damage that can disturb or dry out plants. Plants grown too close to the seashore can get salt damage, but growers can check with local nurserymen for specifics on prevention.
Sources
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Starting plants from reputable nurseries is important. Frankie's Nursery in Waimanalo is a popular nursery for fruit trees. Home gardeners can check with the Oahu Urban Garden Center, an excellent resource through the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Ask neighbors and friends with healthy plants for their input on seeds and vegetable starts.
Land
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Large sections of Oahu's north shore are now dedicated to agriculture. A visit to local farms can be quite educational. For smaller growers, many of the plants listed can be grown on small home plots or even on lanais in pots. Be sure to check with the nursery as to plant height and spacing needs, as some mango and avocado trees can become enormous. Growing in rows, or around patios is simple, with a water source nearby and plenty of sun exposure. Because of Hawaii's mostly constant, good weather, growers can have something wonderful to harvest many months of the year.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Majestic Mountains image by Rick Chesler from Fotolia.com mango-fruits and citrus fruits image by Maria Brzostowska from Fotolia.com
