Eggplant is favorite addition to gardens in Hawaii
Hawaii has a year-long growing season, making it an ideal location for growing a variety of vegetables. With a moderate fluctuation in temperature through the year, harvesting is continual. The volcanic components in the soil make it rich and nutrient-dense, producing vegetables high in color, texture and taste. The tropical climate means insect and pest problems for certain varieties of vegetables, making the hardy standard favorites a common choice. Does this Spark an idea?
Carrots
Carrots (Daucus carota) are a year-round crop, grown in loose dirt, well-watered and without rocks or clumps of earth. They thrive in cooler temperatures, producing a lighter carrot with a stronger taste when temperatures rise. Avoid a woody texture by harvesting carrots at four months. Carrots require frequent weeding and fertilizers or manures are applied weeks before seeds are sown to avoid split roots. Favorite Hawaiian dishes combine carrots with pineapple, a native fruit.
Lettuce
Manoa lettuce (Lactuca sativa) is a semi-head type of lettuce that thrives in cool temperatures and well-drained soil. Hawaii's year-round growing season means that harvesting Manoa lettuce can be done every 50 to 60 days as the lettuce matures. The cooler temperatures cause a slower maturation than warmer temperatures when the maturation speeds up. Some lettuce varieties do poorly in hotter weather as a commercial crop, but the ability to harvest earlier in a home plot makes lettuce a nutritious and plentiful addition to the garden.
Eggplant
The deep purple color of the common eggplant (Solanum melongena) warranted having a color named for it. Other varieties of eggplant produce fruits that are green, reddish and orange. The eggplant thrives in a long growing season, ripening slowly, producing firm, tasty fruit. Once the fruit has grown to about 60 percent of its mature measure, it is edible. Overripe eggplant is tough and bitter. Early and frequent harvesting encourages more prolific fruit production. Eggplant is high in nutrients, but should be avoided by those with a nightshade sensitivity.
Yam
The yam (Dioscoreaceae) is planted in rich soil, well-aerated. It requires regular water and weeding. Yams, like other tubers, can stay in the soil until they are needed. Harvested throughout the long Hawaiian growing season, yams show their picking point when the leaves of the vine begin to yellow. The yam is edible from that point on. Favorite varieties of yam grown in Hawaii have light orange to yellow and white flesh. Yams can take on a woody quality if left too long after the optimal harvest time.
Tags: growing season, cooler temperatures, Manoa lettuce