Tomatoes are tomatoing

sum hemp starting to flower

what showed up?

thanks Boz

one month growth of sunnhemp

Weeding NEEDED. Anyone. Anytime.

different kinds of sweet potatoes.

Composter Started and Ready for Contribution

The composter is near the garden and officially set up today.
Contributions are welcomed with the following protocols:
YES! = dry and green leaves, kitchen waste like raw fruits, vegetables, eggshells, coffee grounds and filters
NO! = meat, dairy, bread, citrus, grass cuttings, branches

Sunnhemp sprouting!!!

wow, it took only 4 days

First Planting

Today was a beautiful day in Manoa and a perfect day to garden. We installed a drip irrigation system with an automatic timer. The system is scheduled to water the plants at 6:00 am and 12:00 pm. Very simple to install, a drip irrigation system is the most efficient use of watering available because of minimal water wasted and maximum uptake for the plants. The water soaks the base of the plants and the surrounding earth allowing the roots direct access to the water.

Watering with a hose is OK, but much of the water is lost to spray and water is not absorbed by the leaves. Watering early in the morning and again at the hottest part of the day always adequate time for the water left on top of the soil to dry out. If plants are watered too late in the day they will be more susceptible to pests and root rot.



We planted three varieties of sweet potatoes and two varieties of tomatoes in the plot on the diamond head (east) side. In the ewa (west) plot, we planted a cover crop call Sunnhemp. This cover crop will serve many functions:

1. gather Nitrogen from the air and deposit it into the soil.
2. provide a inhabitable environment for Nematodes to live. Nematodes are parasites that live in many Hawaiian soils that rob a plant of water and eventually kills its' host plant.
3. after growing to several feet high, we will till in the Sunnhemp to provide us with a "green manure".
4. will aerate the soil with its' roots, provides a more workable soil for our next food crop.

composting bin - long story

1- David noticed an orphan unused composting bin on campus.
2- By the process of elimination, we figured out who to ask.
3- We asked and they said, "OK, it's yours." (!)
4- It seems that it was purchased by a 'sustainability group' but never used. (ironic, I know. but whatever....)
4- Dana and Shawn went and got it.

signed and ready - first work party

first work party!!
Sunday 10/31
mission:
1. install irrigation system
2- plant 'sunhemp' (nitrogen replacing plant)

groundbreaking

We acted. After a morning of clearing rubbish, weeds, and grasses, the stage is set for the installation of a border. We refrained from digging too deeply not knowing what lies directly under the earth (i.e. pipe, electrical lines, etc.)

We decided on a raised bed system for 3 reasons:
1. preventing the soil from eroding and causing a muddy mess on the sidewalk
2. attractive
3. seeing as we don't want to dig too deeply, this allows us to add significant amounts of soil and amendments.

At Re-Use Hawai'i we discovered brick pavers measuring 1" x 6" x 12". They are perfect for a raised garden bed in Hawai'i because they are termite and water rot resistant. We dug a trench and submerged the bricks in about 6" of soil.

Then a trip to Kapolei to visit Hawaiian Earth Products to purchase their product "Menehune MAGIC" Organic Compost. By the truck load, it costs only $36 and this stuff is teaming with activity. The microorganisms and 'good bugs' in this compost is the perfect addition to any garden.

the desolate lonely earth

We observed. Because grasses and weeds are growing without human attention, it was safe to assume the soil is at least semi-fertile. Upon further investigation we could see numerous bugs and critters scurrying throughout the soil. Also a very good sign of fertility.

A FOOD GARDEN

Let's start with a reading by Michael Hardt "The Politics of the Commons" (download) as we start a food garden.

The spot is located at the ewa/makai corner of the Art Building on the campus of the University of Hawai'i at Manoa. Two alcove-like spaces - weedy, sometimes used as a cigarette butts repository and by cats for defecation. The pluses? Lots of suns, and hose bibs very near. Let's see what happens...