Hawaii’s Master Gardeners are helping islanders improve the environment by sharing what they have learned in horticultural classes through the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources. By spreading gardening information with interested members of the community, everyone benefits.
Some folks might say making New Year resolutions is a waste of time, because we often forget what we resolved by the end of January. However, the main key to success is to make resolutions that are measurable, reasonable and reachable. For example, if every Hawaii Island resident planted just one tree a month in 2023, that would be well over two million trees to sequester carbon and produce tons of oxygen thus helping to slow global warming.
To be practical, that might be a resolution too big to achieve. To bring the resolution down to scale, plant what you can in your garden. By getting good information on what to grow in your garden and how to properly maintain what you have planted, we can make our island truly a piece of paradise.
The University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources Master Gardener program is a great way to get involved with efforts to make our gardens and communities more beautiful and environmentally friendly. There are classes, workshops and field trips available. You can even become a Master Gardener by getting involved in their training programs. That would be an achievable resolution and might change your life.
You may get acquainted with the Master Gardener program in East Hawaii at the UHCTAHR Komohana Research and Extension Complex in Hilo. For further information you may call (808) 981-5199 or email himga@hawaiii.edu. In West Hawaii, call (808) 322-4893 for details on the training classes. Classes start in January and are probably full by now, but you may be lucky to find a spot or can get on the list for the next training classes.
Our island is special in the we can grow almost any plant in the many microclimates that exist here. We have some of the most beautiful scenery found anywhere in the world. However, it does take conscious planning, planting and maintenance to bring out the best.
By planting trees, we can actually change the microclimate. and make our gardens and community several degrees cooler in the summer. If trees are placed just right, we can even create a garden climate that is warmer and less windy during the cooler season. It’s really interesting when we expand these basic principles.
What happens when everyone in the neighborhood or community plants trees? Well, we can actually change the climate over fairly large areas. USDA foresters have research data that supports the theory that reforestation may increase local rainfall in dry areas and modify temperature extremes. You might say that trees are natural air conditioners. When enough are planted in an area, temperatures remain cooler in the summer. The sun’s rays don’t have a chance to penetrate and heat up the ground. In the winter, those strong trade winds are blocked. The trees keep things cool in July and give protection from winds that often occur during our cooler months.
The best place to start improving the beauty of the island is right at home. In selecting trees for shade, consider the hundreds of varieties of tropical plants that produce food as well as shade. Depending on your taste, available space for planting and location, we can grow almost anything. The more popular types of fruit trees include mango, coconut, citrus, guava, avocado, papaya, lychee, breadfruit and banana. Of course, our number one nut, the macadamia, is also an attractive choice.
Besides the more common edibles, the cashew, carambola, sapodilla, sugar apple, sour sop, loquat, longan and tamarind are others that are ornamental trees.
We don’t have to stop with these. Shrubs like the natal plum, Ceylon gooseberry, Surinam cherry or pineapple guava might also be used.
Vines often add the right touch on a fence. Passion fruit, Ceylon spinach, winged bean and others will produce goodies to treat your appetite.
Even edible ground covers may be incorporated into a garden. Many herbs are tough and attractive as are some of our tropical vegetables, like dry land taro, sweet potato, monstera and Tahitian spinach.
There are so many choices. The list is almost endless. Several books are available at local bookstores and garden supply stores. There are also many publications available through the University of Hawaii to help you with care and use of some of the plants you might select. Help to make this a better world by starting with a resolution to green and clean our island!
Norman Bezona is professor emeritus, University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources.
