Anyone who wants to grow a garden organically in a tropical climate will find Tropical Organic Gardening-Hawaiian Style an invaluable resource.Growing practices in Old Hawaii are discussed, giving insight into life in a pre-chemical world and placing organic gardening in historical perspective. Basic principles of organic gardening have been modified for tropical conditions and resources. Following an introduction to building a healthy soil, readers are given tools for natural pest control, companion plants, and organic fertilizers. Nutritional information and growing tips for popular fruits, vegetables and herbs are included. Remedies for nutrient and insect problems are conveniently listed in separate tables. The environmental impact of chemical farming is also addressed.
What? Grow endangered native Hawaiian plants in my home garden? What a concept, but the natives are simple to grow because they belong here! For many, the dream of owning a home in Hawai`i is becoming a reality. Hawai`i has some of the fastest-growing areas of the United States, because the weather is warm year-round, the pace of life is more relaxed than on the mainland, prices are still affordable in many areas, and the spirit of aloha abounds. This book will help readers develop their properties, from clearing the land of invasive plants while maintaining native vegetation, to planting trees, vegetables and more. This is a very useful book with a gardeners joy shining between the lines. Its chock full of new ideas and old ones worth repeating. Its refreshingly written without a know-it-all approach. Instead, its by a humble novice with her curiosity intact. Her grateful attitude includes a sense of wonder at what nature provides in return for a bit of hard work. David Orr, Coordinator of Botanical Programs, Waimea Valley Audubon Center, Oahu. Super Simple Guide to Creating Hawaiian Gardens is far more comprehensive than any other Hawaiian gardening guide! Barbara Fahs offers a unique and perfect solution to the question How? often asked by newcomers and residents in Hawai`i. She not only outlines the essentials of organic gardening in Hawai`i (an important point), but includes easy-to-grow edibles and ornamentals, native, Polynesian and medicinal plants. Furthermore, Super Simple Guide emphasizes land stewardship: plants not to grow, weeds to encourage, and gardens without poisons. As a long-time kamaaina and keen gardener, I heartily recommend this book for both healthy living and an awareness of invasive plants, which can easily spread into Hawai`is diverse natural ecosystems. Angela Kay Kepler, PhD, award-winning author of numerous books on Hawaiian plants
Carefully selected plants add color, character, and charm to a wide variety of outdoor settings, providing much enjoyment and increasing the value of your home. Plants for Tropical Landscapes will help you select and group plants to create a successful tropical garden tailored to your needs and tastes. Gardeners and landscapers will find this treasury of more than 500 common plants easy to use and one of the most comprehensive guides available today. Plants are organized by size (ground covers, low shrubs, medium shrubs, small trees) and are fully illustrated with more than 700 color photographs to aid in their identification. The book presents guidelines on plant characteristics, soil and water requirements, and suggested landscape use for each species. In addition, appendices list plants suitable for special uses (xeriscapes, windbreaks, night gardens) and sites (beach gardens, lanai, and houseplants).
