Rodney asks: I just moved into a new house near Kona with some area available for planting fruit trees and vegetables but I have lots of questions. Where might I go to get answers? ADVERTISING Rodney asks: I just moved
Rodney asks: I just moved into a new house near Kona with some area available for planting fruit trees and vegetables but I have lots of questions. Where might I go to get answers?
Tropical Gardener answer: The University of Hawaii offers several ways for you to get information about and help with gardening in Hawaii. They have hundreds of downloadable free publications online that can help you with myriad gardening and farming issues. At this website, https://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/site/Info.aspx, you can search for publications on the topic you want to explore as well as find other websites that may have additional information for you.
If you don’t find what you need there, you can talk to a real person who might be able to help. The UH Master Gardener Helpline for Kona has just expanded its hours to serve more homeowners like you. The helpline is now staffed from 9 a.m. to noon every Tuesday and Thursday with certified volunteers from the UH Master Gardener Training Program.
They welcome walk-ins. You can go into the Cooperative Extension Service office in Kainaliu across from the Aloha Theatre and up behind the gas station. If you cannot get to the office during those hours, you can give them a call at 322-4892 on a Tuesday or Thursday morning or you can send them an email anytime to konamg@ctahr.hawaii.edu. They catch up on their emails during their office hours and should be able to answer your questions within a few days. It is always helpful if you take or send photos of the problem if it is at all photogenic.
If you want plants identified, a few photos are helpful and should include a close shot of any flowers or fruit you see as well as the leaves. To identify insects, a close up (macro) photo that is clear can help a lot. Sometimes all the helpline staff needs is a description or photograph of the symptoms in order to identify the problem, tell you whether it is a pest or disease problem and help you plan a control or eradication program.
The Master Gardeners have been through 13 weeks of classroom instruction as well as supervised training on the helpline and should be able to give you answers right away or at least soon after you contact them. All of them are gardeners themselves with some personal experience in gardening in Hawaii.
Call, email or drop in the CES office to get good advice and meet some fellow local gardeners and farmers.
Some questions that appear here were originally directed to Kona’s Certified Master Gardeners. Contact them with questions at konamg@ctahr.hawaii.edu.
Diana Duff is a plant adviser, educator and consultant living on an organic farm in Captain Cook.
Gardening Events
Tuesday: “Irrigation Nozzle Selection” class registration deadline. Class on Wednesday, May 18 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Queens’ MarketPlace meeting room sponsored by Kona Irrigation. $15 includes lunch and $30 of Toro products. Call Sherri at 808-987-2916 to register.
Friday &Saturday: “Big Island Chocolate Festival” at the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel. Seminars start at 11 a.m. on Friday and 9:30 on Saturday and vary in price. Chocolate decadence event is from 5:30 to 9 p.m. with tastings of chocolate dishes sweet and savory, wines and ales for $75. For more information and to order tickets go to www.bigislandchocolatefestival.com.
Friday: “K’au Coffee Festival Opening Pa’ina” from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at Pahala Plantation House. Free. Festival continues through Sunday, May 22. More information at kaucoffeefestival.com/events.
Saturday: Ka’u Coffee Recipe Contest” at 2 pm at Ka’u Coffee Mill. Free.
“Miss K’au Coffee Pageant” 6:30 p.m. at Ka’u Coffee Mill $10 admission.
“Work Day at Amy Greenwell Garden” from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Meet at the Garden Visitor Center across from the Manago Hotel in Captain Cook. Volunteers will be able to help with garden maintenance and are invited to bring a brown bag lunch. Call Peter at 323-3318 for more information.
“Edible Landscaping” from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at HCC’s Palamanui Campus, 73-1025 Kaiminani Drive, Room B-125, Kailua-Kona with Zach Mermel. $55. For more information or to register call 974-7664 or go to https://hilo.hawaii.edu/academics/ccecs/EdibleLandscaping.php.
Farmer Direct Markets
Wednesday: “Ho’oulu Farmers Market” 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Sheraton Kona Resort &Spa at Keauhou Bay
Wednesday: “Sunset Farmers Market” 2 p.m. – sunset at the north makai corner of the Kmart parking lot.
Saturday: “Keauhou Farmers Market” 8 a.m. – noon at Keauhou Shopping Center
“Kamuela Farmer’s Market” from 7 a.m. to noon at Pukalani Stables
Sunday: “South Kona Green Market” 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Amy Greenwell Garden in Captain Cook
Monday–Saturday: “U-Pick greens and produce” 10a.m. to 4p.m. Tropical Edibles Nursery, Captain Cook.
Plant Advice Lines
Anytime: konamg@ctahr.hawaii.edu
Thursdays: 9 a.m. to noon at UH-CES in Kainaliu – 322-4892
Monday, Tuesday and Friday: 9 a.m. to noon at UH CES at Komohana in Hilo 981-5199 or himga@hawaii.edu
