We know buying local helps our economy and usually means fresh, healthy products. The best guarantee for quality local produce is to talk to the farmer who grows it. We now have many choices of markets where we can buy local and meet the farmers.
The new Kona Sunset Farmers Market sells local products on Wednesdays from 2 p.m. until dusk in the Kmart parking lot in Kailua-Kona. Manager Zarine Dorabji makes sure that the vendors sell high-quality products that are locally grown or made with local agricultural materials. Many of the vendors prepare food to go and most take EBT and credit cards.
On Nov. 25, the market will celebrate it first year in business, during which it put more than $140,000 directly into the local economy. Come for free food samples, contests, prizes and fun for everyone. Learn more or contact the market at www.konasunsetmarket.com, konasunsetmarket@gmail.com.
This market and the Sunday South Kona Green Market are participating in a federal grant matching EBT customer’s purchases, dollar for dollar. SNAP/EBT card holders can present receipts for fresh produce purchased and can get up to $120 in coupons for produce and educational workshops. Sign up at the Kona Sunset Market on Wednesdays or at the South Kona Green Market on Sundays. Coupons are honored there or the Saturday market in Hawi.
For more than eight years, Tim Bruno has managed the South Kona Green Market in Captain Cook from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Sunday, providing locally grown and handmade products. Kona coffee, tropical fruit, fresh vegetables, as well as hand-crafted and fine jewelry, skin products and local macadamia nuts are all featured here. You’ll also find hot food and music at its location on the grounds of Amy B.H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden.
Don’t miss the eighth annual Feast in the Field at the South Kona Green Market. The potluck feast is scheduled to begin at 2:30 p.m. Nov. 22. Turkey is provided. Bring side dishes, desserts, beverages, plates and cutlery for a pre-Thanksgiving celebration. Local guitarist Chris Quinn will provide music. A post-Thanksgiving Green Sunday is planned for Nov. 29. Get more information by writing info@skgm.org, by calling 328-8797 or at www.skgm.org.
The Hooulu Community Farmer’s Market and Artisans Fair is held every Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa at Keauhou Bay. Fine artisans and food purveyors are on hand to offer some great locally produced products. Learn more at http://hooulufarmersmkt.com.
If you haven’t been to the Keauhou Farmers Market on Saturday morning, it’s time you checked it out. Sponsored by the Kona County Farm Bureau, the market will celebrate its 10th anniversary Dec. 19 from 8 a.m. to noon in the Keauhou Shopping Center parking lot. The market sports an enormous diversity of tropical fruit, Kona coffee, fish, beef, eggs and veggies. With more than 30 vendors, you’re sure to find what you are looking for here. Go to www.keauhoufarmersmarket.com to learn more.
If you are up for an adventure, consider heading to Hamakua for the new Sunday morning market at the intersection of Mamane Street and Highway 19 just outside Honokaa. Its 25 vendors offer locally grown produc, value-added products and prepared food. Check out its events at www.hamakuaharvest.org or on Facebook. You can also contact them at info@hamakuaharvest.org for more information.
Hawi continues to hold a Saturday morning market in the center of town. Under the Banyan’s Farmers Market starts at 8 a.m. and usually goes until 3 p.m. More about this market is in an article at the Hawaii homegrown food network site, http://www.hawaiihomegrown.net/reports-23/3-blogs/reports/109-the-hawi-farmers-market-under-the-banyan-trees.
For those in or near Waimea, markets abound. Tuesday through Saturday, local produce is available at a farmers market. Get the list with information at http://www.lovebigisland.com/farmers-markets.
Tropical gardening helpline
Kim asks: I have some Tahitian lime trees on my farm that have produced well for several years and now appear to be dying. Their leaves turn yellow and drop and then the branches seem to die. What is the problem? Is there anything I can do to save my trees?
Answer: Two diseases of Tahitian lime are known to cause the symptoms you describe.
Citrus tristeza is a virus that is transmitted by aphids and Tahitian lime is a common host. The symptoms vary depending on the aphid population and the growing conditions. Tristeza’s first symptoms are often stem pitting, which appears as grooves in the stem paralleling the grain of the wood. This is followed by a general decline of the tree. Starting at the tips, leaves and branches will often die back. Some affected trees will die quickly as soon as the leaves drop, while others can linger for many years. Controlling the aphid population with soap and oil can help prevent the spread of this deadly disease.
Another disease that can cause lime trees to decline and die is Phytophthora. Symptoms may include peeling bark, gumming at the wounded areas, leaf yellowing, stem dieback, general tree decline and eventually death. The best way to avoid this disease is to plant limes that have been grafted to resistant rootstock. Other than that, avoiding overwatering the roots or the trunk, keeping mulch away from the base of the tree and allowing the soil at the base to dry out between waterings can help.
Many species of this pathogen exist. All are actually molds but often referred to as fungi. All are encouraged by wet conditions. We have had a very wet summer. If your trees have recently shown the symptoms you mention, they may have gotten water logged in the last few months.
Eventually, you will probably have to replace your trees. Try to find limes with resistant root stock or place them where the soil drains well.
Email plant questions to konamg@ctahr.hawaii.edu for answers by certified master gardeners. Some questions will be chosen for inclusion in this column.
Diana Duff is a plant adviser, educator and consultant living on an organic farm in Captain Cook.
Gardening events
Monday: “Wild Food Plants of Hawaii” is the topic for the Hawaii Tropical Fruit Growers meeting from 7 to 9 p.m. at the HTFG meeting room, 81-6393 Mamalahoa Highway. Author Sunny Savage will speak about her new book on wild food plants. Info: Brian Lievens, 895-8753 or greenwizard@hawaii.rr.com.
Tuesday: Invasive Species Forum starts at 6 p.m. in the Council Chambers at the West Hawaii Civic Center. State Rep. Nicole Lowen and representatives from the Hawaii Department of Agriculture, University of Hawaii and invasive species groups will discuss controlling fire ants, coqui frogs, coffee berry borer and ohia wilt. Info: Wendy Baez, 323-4279 or wendy.baez@hawaiicounty.gov.
Thursday: Annual Kona Coffee Council Dinner & Benefit Auction is held from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Kona Historical Society, 81-6581 Mamalahoa Highway, Kealakekua. Info: http://www.kona-coffee-council.com/event-1961723.
Plant advice lines
Anytime: konamg@ctahr.hawaii.edu
Thursday: 9 a.m. to noon at UH Cooperative Extension Service 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.