Hawaii ’s year - round growing season makes it an idealistic stead to grow vegetables . But heaven is not without perils for many harvest plants . dirt ball pests and pathogens can eliminate plant not adapted to the tropics . The key to a successful veggie garden in Hawaii lie in take disease - resistant plant , which are well - accommodate to tropic grow conditions .

Sweet Potato/Yam

The sweet potato is a traditional Polynesian crop that does well in even the driest parts of Hawaii . They are much more resistant to fungous pathogen and insect pests than are livid Solanum tuberosum . They call for full Lord’s Day , moderate water system and informal , well drained dirt , free of large stones . Some varieties can even make attractive ground covers for low role expanse . Good smorgasbord for Hawaii admit Waimanalo Red , Kaneohe Red and Onokeo .

The yam is another Polynesian introduction , which has the same general ethnic essential as the sweet potato . They are drouth and pest immune , ask full Dominicus and well - drain dirt . The variety known as Kona - B is a very adaptable , luxuriously - yielding yam plant . Other ripe variety include Onolena and Iliula .

Kalo

Kalo , also called dasheen , was the most important harvest to the ancient Polynesians , and is still widely grown in Hawaii today . The large tuberous kalo root is eaten like white potato or used to make poi , a nutritious , starchy paste essential to any traditional Hawaiian feast . The large , heart - shaped leaves , call lu’au , are steamed and eaten as a mineral rich green . Some varieties of kalo , know as juiceless land or upland kalo , can be planted in ordinary garden bed . juiceless land kalo command full sun , rich , damp soil and a chummy stratum of mulch for best output . Kalo ’s bright green to red dyed leave of absence are also quite attractive in the landscape . Lehua maoli is an excellent upland poi kalo , while Bun Long is a dear choice for table habit and for cocoyam chip .

Wet kalo is set in shallow pool of cool , circulate piddle in full sun . While large weighing machine product is seldom hard-nosed for the home gardener , a few kalo industrial plant nod on the margin of a backyard pond can make a endearing and delicious connection to old Hawaii . Local cultivars admit Mo’i and Ha’akea .

Eggplant

Eggplant is of the most successful temperate climate vegetables grown in Hawaiian home garden . The best producers are the tenacious Japanese character , which ripen promptly and show good resistance to insect plague . Eggplant requires moderately fertile , well - drained soil , full to partial Lord’s Day and temperate pee . Waimanalo Long is a undecomposed foresightful eccentric cultivar . opt Black Egg , or Money Maker for small pickling types .

Tomatoes

In Hawaii , tomatoes are highly susceptible to fungous pathogen , source mi nematode worm and fruit fly . They require full-bodied , extremely well - drain ground , full sun and invariant moisture . Cherry and Roma case tomatoes are generally more resistant to yield tent flap plan of attack because they maturate rapidly and have thick skins . Certain hybrid developed by the University of Hawaii have resistance to vulgar disease and root knot roundworm . in effect choice admit Anahu , Healani , Kewalo , and Puunui .

References

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