Urban Homestead Grows 150 Fruit Trees in the Desert on 1/3 Acre, using wood chips (video)

"John from http://www.growingyourgreens.com/ visits Phoenix, Arizona to share with you an urban homestead that grows 150 fruit trees on just 1/3 of an acre. You will also learn about other vegetables and animals on the property in the Sonoran Desert climate.

In this episode, John visits Jake Mace, once of his viewers that is growing food successfully in Phoenix. You will get a tour of Jake's place showing many of his edible fruit trees, also sharing his main method of fertilizing his trees, how he waters his trees, the vegetables that grows the best in the desert, and how Jake uses animals to his benefit without eating them.

You will learn about a cold tolerant avocado, the best perennial onion to grow in a desert climate, you will also learn animal jake lets graze in his yard to eat all the weeds, and it is not goats.

Finally, John will sit down with this urban homesteader and you will find out, why Jake decided to start growing his food, his opinions on animals on the homestead, how Jake lives on a plant based diet and can do more push ups than you, and much, much more.

After watching this episode, you will have a better awareness of how you can successfully grow fruit trees in a desert climate, how to use animals to your benefit on an urban homestead without eating them, and how you can thrive on a plant based diet."



Related:

SuperSize Your Vegetables with Wood Chips & Rock Dust in Your Garden
https://youtu.be/MEkFFRjDkvs

Kewalo tomato from University of Hawaii

Kewalo is a determinate tomato plant with uniform ripening. Fruits approx. 6-8 oz. Matures in 75-80 days. It is tolerant to bacterial wilt as well as tobacco mosaic virus. Resistant to the common root knot nematode, fusarium wilt, gray leaf spot and one strain of spotted wilt virus. Kewalo is one of the few open-pollinated variety that can boast of these traits.

Available from University of Hawaii: http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/seed/seeds.asp#tomato

Tomato cultivars developed by UH-CTAHR horticulturists include the hybrids ‘N-5’, ‘N-52’, ‘N-63’, and ‘N-65’ and the open-pollinated cultivars ‘Anahu’, ‘Healani’, and ‘Kewalo’. The three nonhybrid cultivars are determinate — they grow to a certain height and then stop, and they tend to flower and set fruit within a relatively short period of time.

Anahu tomato was the first root knot nematode resistant variety. Kewalo tomato is considered the most important home garden variety due to bacterial wilt resistance combined with earliness. Kewalo seems to ignore hot weather.

Kewalo is a uniform ripening determinate variety bred at University of Hawaii by tomato breeder Dr. Jim Gilbert. Kewalo was named after one of his favorite fishing spots. Kewalo was bred to be resistant to bacterial wilt, mosaic virus and nematodes. 6-8 oz., red, round fruit with sweet flavor. A good choice for hot and humid climates.

References:

Agricultural Diagnostic Service Center - Seed Program http://bit.ly/1CbC16K
Home Garden Tomato http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/oc/freepubs/pdf/HGV-5.pdf
Honolulu Star-Bulletin Features http://bit.ly/1CbDNVs
Hawaiʻi Public Seed Initiative | Presentations | A program of The Kohala Center http://bit.ly/1CbEeiO
Overview of crop improvement projects in Hawaii (PDF, 1982) http://buff.ly/1ZyEH7r
Selecting tomatoes for the home garden in Hawaii (PDF) http://buff.ly/1LiBAad

Healani tomato from Hawaii

Healani is a determinate tomato plant with uniform ripening. Fruits approx. 6-8oz. Matures in 75-80 days. Oblique fruit shape. Resistant to the common root knot nematode, fusarium wilt, gray leaf spot and one strain of spotted wilt virus. It is also tolerant to tobacco mosaic virus. Available from University of Hawaii: http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/seed/seeds.asp#tomato

Tomato cultivars developed by UH-CTAHR horticulturists include the hybrids ‘N-5’, ‘N-52’, ‘N-63’, and ‘N-65’ and the open-pollinated cultivars ‘Anahu’, ‘Healani’, and ‘Kewalo’. The three nonhybrid cultivars are determinate — they grow to a certain height and then stop, and they tend to flower and set fruit within a relatively short period of time.

Anahu tomato was the first root knot nematode resistant variety. Kewalo tomato is considered the most important home garden variety due to bacterial wilt resistance combined with earliness.

References:

Agricultural Diagnostic Service Center - Seed Program http://bit.ly/1CbC16K
Home Garden Tomato http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/oc/freepubs/pdf/HGV-5.pdf
Honolulu Star-Bulletin Features http://bit.ly/1CbDNVs
Hawaiʻi Public Seed Initiative | Presentations | A program of The Kohala Center http://bit.ly/1CbEeiO
Overview of crop improvement projects in Hawaii (PDF, 1982) http://buff.ly/1ZyEH7r
Selecting tomatoes for the home garden in Hawaii (PDF) http://buff.ly/1LiBAad

Kaala Bell Pepper from Hawaii

Kaala is a sweet pepper resistant to Bacterial Wilt and tolerant to root knot nematodes. Fruits are 1/3 the size of normal bell peppers(102 g) and will turn red when mature. Matures in about 75 days. Available from University of Hawaii: http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/seed/seeds.asp#pepper

One gardener pointed out that Kaala bell lasted the longest in his garden but the peppers were miniatures, 1/3 of a normal bell pepper, "so very disappointing."

‘Kaala’, a bell-type pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) and ‘Waialua’, a jalapeño type pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) were released around 1996 by the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources. The cultivars were developed for those areas in Hawaii and in the subtropics that have limited pepper production because of bacterial wilt (Pseudomonus solanacearium E. F. Sm.) disease.

Origin

‘Kaala’ and ‘Waialua’ were the result of a cross between ‘Chabai Merah’ and ‘Keystone Resistant Giant’. ‘Chabai Merah’ is a standard cayenne-type pepper grown in western Malaysia and is highly resistant to bacterial wilt and to root-knot nematode [Meloidogne incognita (Kofoid & White) Chitwood]; it is a very pungent fruit that averages 7.5 to 10 cm in length and 2 cm in diameter. ‘Keystone Resistant Giant’ is a bell- or sweet-type pepper.
The objectives of the cross were to obtain bell and pungent types resistant to bacterial wilt disease and root-knot nematode. ‘Kaala’ and ‘Waialua’ are the result of 15 years of continuous selection in bacterial wilt infested test plots.



References:

http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/seed/seeds.asp#pepper

'Kaala' and 'Waialua' Peppers - HortScience
http://hortsci.ashspublications.org/content/31/6/1054.full.pdf

Hawaiʻi Public Seed Initiative | Presentations | A program of The Kohala Center http://bit.ly/1CbEeiO

Overview of crop improvement projects in Hawaii (PDF, 1982) http://buff.ly/1ZyEH7r

Waialua chili pepper (sweet-hot) from Hawaii

Waialua chili pepper is a Jalapeno shaped, weighing about 26g. Matures in about 75-80 days. Pepper is resistant to Bacterial Wilt and is tolerant to root knot nematodes. Fruits mature to a beautiful red color and is sweeter flavored than Jalepeno. Fruits are about 1.5 to 2 inches in length. Available from University of Hawaii: http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/seed/seeds.asp#pepper

This heirloom is a cone shaped Capsicum annuum pepper, similar in size to jalapeno but a bit bigger and more pointy (less rounded) than a jalapeno. Its flavor when ripe and red is superior to jalapeno. It produces better than jalapeno in very humid climates, or in soils with nematodes, due to better adaptation and more disease resistance. Portugal is believed to be where Hawaiian sweet-hot originates from.

‘Kaala’, a bell-type pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) and ‘Waialua’, a jalapeño type pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) were released around 1996 by the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources. The cultivars were developed for those areas in Hawaii and in the subtropics that have limited pepper production because of bacterial wilt (Pseudomonus solanacearium E. F. Sm.) disease.

Origin

‘Kaala’ and ‘Waialua’ were the result of a cross between ‘Chabai Merah’ and ‘Keystone Resistant Giant’. ‘Chabai Merah’ is a standard cayenne-type pepper grown in western Malaysia and is highly resistant to bacterial wilt
and to root-knot nematode [Meloidogne incognita (Kofoid & White) Chitwood]; it is a very pungent fruit that averages 7.5 to 10 cm in length and 2 cm in diameter. ‘Keystone Resistant Giant’ is a bell- or sweet-type pepper.
The objectives of the cross were to obtain bell and pungent types resistant to bacterial wilt disease and root-knot nematode. ‘Kaala’ and ‘Waialua’ are the result of 15 years of continuous selection in bacterial wilt infested
test plots.

References:

http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/seed/seeds.asp#pepper

'Kaala' and 'Waialua' Peppers - HortScience
http://hortsci.ashspublications.org/content/31/6/1054.full.pdf

Chili pepper 'Hawaiian sweet-hot' Plant Care & Growing Information | folia http://bit.ly/1CbBodv

Hawaiʻi Public Seed Initiative | Presentations | A program of The Kohala Center http://bit.ly/1CbEeiO

Heat tolerant blueberry

Blueberry, The Southern Collection. The best varieties for Southern climates. This collection offers 90 days of harvest from three southern highbush blueberries with low chill requirement: Misty (300 chill hours), Jewel (200 chill hours) and Sunshine Blue (150 chill hours). These varieties have been bred for heat tolerance and low winter chilling, and are well adapted to warmer areas of California, the Sunbelt and the southeast. Mostly self-pollinating, plants benefit from being planted close enough to cross-pollinate, to yield larger berries. Chill requirement refers to the accumulated hours of temperatures a plant experiences between freezing and 45 F that is required to break dormancy. http://bit.ly/1BZawuO

Heat tolerant radish: Rover

- Radish, Rover Hybrid. Rare radish that can take the heat. This is the rare radish that can take the heat. Most radishes get bitter and brittle from the hot summer—Rover keeps its cool. With a crisp white interior, the smooth red root is crisp, juicy, and flavorful the summer through. http://bit.ly/1BZahQc and https://jungseed.com/dp.asp?pID=03385

Rover radishes withstand heat and can be grown in the subtropical climate of South Florida:



Related:

Jung Seed http://buff.ly/2liBUDZ
Radish, Rover Hybrid - Radish at http://buff.ly/2liraW7
Rover (F1) Radish Seed http://buff.ly/2liqShW

Heat tolerant strawberies

- Strawberry, Sweet Charlie. The standard for Florida and southern gardens. Exceptionally sweet berries are medium-sized, deep red and very flavorful. Plants are well-adapted to southern gardens, vigorous and highly productive. Plants are also lovely grown in containers and edible landscapes. http://bit.ly/1BZa7Z2

Heat tolerant cucumbers

Here are a few examples of heat tolerant cucumbers:

- Summer Dance Hybrid. Japanese burpless variety with high resistance to Downy and Powdery mildew. ‘Summer Dance’ will delight you with sweet, melodious flavor. Glossy, deep-green 9” fruits are packed with sparkling refreshment. Japanese burpless variety grows like crazy, sending out numerous lateral vines for high yields. High resistance to Downy mildew and Powdery mildew; tolerant to heat stress. http://bit.ly/1BZ9UVP and https://jungseed.com/dp.asp?pID=02159

- Marketer Cucumber. This 1943 All-America selection is still a winner in today's gardens! A great slicer for salads and makes delicious pickle chips. Slender, dark green, 8 to 9 inch fruits have sweet, mild flavor. Vigorous, heat resistant plants are very productive with a long harvest season. White spined. Source: https://jungseed.com/dp.asp?pID=02132

- Pick A Bushel Hybrid Cucumber. Plant your own pickle factories. Be prepared to be pick lots of cukes from these compact plants. The medium green, white-spined fruits are sweet, firm and crisp, ready to pick only 50 days from sowing at 3 inch gherkin size for great pickles or left to grow to 6 inch length for slicing fresh in salads. The semi-bush vines grow only 24 inches long, so they are well-suited for growing in patio containers as well as the garden. Plants have excellent heat tolerance and disease resistances to CMV, Scab and MMV. Source: https://jungseed.com/dp.asp?pID=02039

- Eureka cucumber is not just tolerant but resistant to multiple diseases typically affecting cucumbers in the tropics.

Heat tolerant tomatoes

Here are few examples of heat tolerant tomatoes:

- Heatwave II Hybrid Tomato http://bit.ly/1BZ9X40

- Bella Rosa Hybrid Tomato. (VFFAStTSWV) - A pretty name for a serious performer. Only a few tomatoes can claim both heat tolerance and resistance to tomato spotted wilt virus, a serious problem in some regions of the country. You can expect consistently high yields of big 10 to 12 ounce tomatoes from these strong, determinate plants. Fruits are bright red both outside and inside with firm, highly flavorful flesh. Great for hot, humid areas or home gardens anywhere. Source: https://jungseed.com/dp.asp?pID=00066

References:

Heat-tolerant tomato varieties - which types of tomatoes resist heat? http://bit.ly/1zH5dLt

From Amazon:

Moringa Tree - A Great Permacuture Plant for Florida

How grow Moringa oleifera in containers

When you plan on growing your tree in a container, cut the main tap root. The tap root runs deep into the soil in search of water. Before you plant that tree cut that tap root. By cutting the root you stimulate vigorous lateral but shallow root growth. This root growth is better suited for container growing. Moringa trees planted without a pruned tap root perform poorly in containers.

Move the newly planted tree to a bright location out of direct sunlight. After 6 weeks, move the tree out towards more sunlight gradually to acclimate it to the hot sun.

Growing Moringa trees in containers is easy so long as you keep the soil moist (not soaked with water) and allow it to dry out a little once a week.



Moringa Oleifera from seed to tree - The complete guide to growing the superfood Moringa - California Gardening - YouTube http://bit.ly/1w7ucpK



Edible trees and bushes in Florida: moringa, katuk and chaya. They are very easy to grow. Video: http://bit.ly/1w7vf9h



References:

ECHO technical note on Moringa, with recipes http://miracletrees.org/moringa-doc/ebook_moringa.pdf
How to Grow Moringa Oleifera in containers - Bestmoringatrees.com http://bit.ly/1nOxelj
How to prune moringa trees and selecting pruning tools - Bestmoringatrees.com http://bit.ly/1nOxgtv
Best Moringa to Grow & Rare Herb Nursery - John from http://www.growingyourgreens.com/ visits Moringa Place, a nursery in Loxahatchee, Florida - YouTube http://bit.ly/1w7tQj0
Moringa Trees from Seed to Storage - YouTube http://bit.ly/1w7u3CM
Moringa Recipes - YouTube http://bit.ly/1w7u7m1
Victoria in the Garden - How to Grow a Moringa Tree - YouTube http://bit.ly/1w7u89E
Moringa, More Than You Can Handle - Eat The Weeds http://buff.ly/1UWvnb4

I grew my Moringa trees from these seeds from Amazon:

Malabar Spinach - Jungle perennial vine grown as summer salad green

Malabar Spinach is not related to regular spinach (Spinacia oleracea). Basella alba is an edible perennial vine in the family Basellaceae. It is found in tropical Asia and Africa where it is widely used as a leaf vegetable. It is known under various common names, including Pui, vine spinach, red vine spinach, climbing spinach, creeping spinach, buffalo spinach, malabar spinach and ceylon spinach. Basella alba is native to the Indian Subcontinent, southeast Asia and New Guinea.

Basella alba is a fast-growing, soft-stemmed vine, reaching 10 metres (33 ft) in length. Its thick, semi-succulent, heart-shaped leaves have a mild flavor and mucilaginous texture. The stem of the cultivar Basella alba 'Rubra' is reddish-purple.



Basella alba grows well under full sunlight in hot, humid climates. The plant is native to tropical Asia. Malabar spinach is extremely frost-sensitive. "It creeps when temperatures are cool, but leaps when they hit hit 90 F." If given a trellis and pruning, it can become a decorative hedge. And you can eat/cook your trimmings. People who grow it eat from it all the time.

The succulent mucilage is a rich source of soluble fiber. Malabar spinach may be used to thicken soups or stir-fries with garlic and chili peppers.



John from http://www.growingyourgreens.com/ shares with you his favorite leafy green summer crop that prefers warm, hot weather. The Red Malabar Spinach Vine. In this episode, John shares growing information about Malabar Spinach as well as shows you how you can use this unique vegetable fresh to make some delicious garden vegetable wraps.



References:

Basella alba - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia http://bit.ly/1uTwQkT
Malabar Spinach http://bit.ly/1oSPiEp
What Is Malabar Spinach? | The Kitchn http://bit.ly/1uTxlLS
Spinach, Red Malabar | Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Co http://bit.ly/1uTxxdS
Malabar Spinach - Dr. Weil's Healthy Garden http://bit.ly/1uTxMFV
Red Malabar Spinach - Johnny's Selected Seeds http://bit.ly/1uTyUt8
Red Stem Malabar Spinach - Park Seed http://bit.ly/1uTyYcr
Red-Stemmed Malabar Spinach—A Deliciously Stunning Vine - Brooklyn Botanic Garden http://bit.ly/1uTz4AF
Malabar spinach: Jungle vine grown as summer salad green - Los Angeles Times http://lat.ms/1uTz57W

Best vegetable for hot weather? Okra. The whole plant is edible - leaves, fruits, etc.

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus Moench), known in many English-speaking countries as ladies' fingers, bhindi, bamia, or gumbo, is a flowering plant in the mallow family. Okra looks like a ridged pepper. It is valued for its edible green seed pods. The plant is cultivated in tropical, subtropical and warm temperate regions around the world.

Extremely heat and drought tolerant

The species is an annual or perennial, growing to 2 m tall. It is related to such species as cotton, cocoa, and hibiscus. It is among the most heat- and drought-tolerant vegetable species in the world. Although a tropical plant, okra does fine in temperate zones during the summer.

Okra is one of the few vegetable plants that can stand the heat of Florida’s summers. Few people count okra among their favorite vegetables; most complain that it’s too seedy or too slimy. One Orlando gardener organizes Okrafest (instead of Octoberfest) in honor of the mucilaginous pod every fall (Okra - Orlando Home and Garden - April 2014 http://bit.ly/1CC9GTM).



Growing Okra in Raised Beds (Gumbo, Lady's Finger) - California Gardening - YouTube.

Okra's origin is in Africa

The Egyptians and Moors of the 12th and 13th centuries used the Arabic word for the plant, bamya, suggesting it had come from the east. In the Middle East (in Arabic, Farsi, Hebrew, Greek and Turkish), it is called bamia or bamyeh. Its Bulgarian name is bamya.

Okra seed oil

Okra oil is pressed from okra seeds. Oil yields from okra crops are high, exceeded only by that of sunflower oil.

Culinary uses

The products of the plant are mucilaginous, resulting in the characteristic "goo" or slime when the seed pods are cooked.

Growing okra

Soak seeds to fasten germination

In cultivation, the seeds are soaked overnight prior to planting to a depth of 1–2 cm. Germination occurs between 6 days (soaked seeds) and 3 weeks. Seedlings require ample water. The seed pods rapidly become fibrous and woody, and, to be edible, must be harvested within a week of the fruit having been pollinated. The fruits are harvested when immature and eaten as a vegetable.

In the height of production, gardeners should harvest the okra daily. Okra produces pounds of edible seed pods for months. If one stalk stops production, cut it back to the main stem and a new pod-producing branch may appear.

Choose your sunniest spot for okra, and wait until the weather is warm to set out your plants. Plants like it when nights are at least in the 60s and days 85 or warmer.

The whole plant is edible - leaves, flowers, fruits, etc.

The pods of the okra plant are not the only edible part. Many people do not know it, but the leaves of the plant are also edible, both cooked and raw.

Okra is packed with health benefits

Okra has a lot of antioxidants and fiber. Its mucilaginous content may slow down sugar absorption and prevent diabetes. Okra does have a reputation for slime but this slime is good for you. There are ways to cook it to avoid the slime.



Don’t Fear the Okra | Recipe | The New York Times.

Vegetables to grow in the summer heat in Florida, Texas, Nevada, etc:

- eggplant
- okra
- peppers
- chard
- parsley
- green onions

References:

Okra - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia http://bit.ly/1qkbgke
Heavily armed drug cops raid retiree’s garden, seize okra plants - mistaken for cannabis - Washington Post http://buff.ly/1xqO0qS
Homegrown okra plants: A bit of Louisiana by way of L.A. - LA Times http://lat.ms/1qkbvvv
Hints of Help for Diabetes From Okra - WSJ http://on.wsj.com/1qkbHen
Okra’s Triumph of Taste Over Texture - NYTimes.com http://nyti.ms/1qkbO9P
Growing Okra - Bonnie Plants http://bit.ly/1pntZeC
Florida Crop/Pest Management Profile: Okra http://bit.ly/1pnuchR
National Site for the Regional IPM Centers http://bit.ly/1pnuhC5

What to grow in Tropical South Florida Summer Garden

John from http://www.growingyourgreens.com/ goes on a field trip to the Mounts Botanical Garden in West Palm Beach, Florida. In this episode you will learn about some tropical fruits and vegetables you can do well in the summer in South Florida and other tropical locations. John will take you on a quick tour of some of the edible areas of the Mounts botanical garden and then give you a tour of the vendors who have many common and uncommon edible food crops. After watching this nearly 1 hour long episode which took all day to film, you will be sure to expand your knowledge about growing food and be inspired to start growing no matter where you live!



Here is the list of some of the plants mentioned in the video:

tomatoes (FLA 91, heatwave 2, solar fire, super sioux, sweetie, arkansas traveler, abe lincoln, chocolate cherokee, equinox, everglades)
banana
barbados cherry
chufa nuts
june plum
jakfruit
mango
avocado
loquat
custard apple
costa rican mint
okinawa spinach
cuban oregano
epizote
ackee
arrowroot
vanilla orchid
peppers
pigeon pea
mysore raspberry
muscadine grapes

References:

Tropical Perennial Vegetables and Fruits - Growing Your Greens - YouTube http://bit.ly/1woC8qs

What vegetables to grow in tropical heat during summer in Texas and Florida? Peppers and okra

From Executive Gardener: "In this episode I provide an update of what will grow in the heat and humidity of Houston in the middle of the summer. Very few crops can grow and prosper in this brutal heat, but some really do well. Please look into building a community garden in your area."



Growing peppers in the heat is fine and dandy, however, once the night temperatures stay above 80 F, peppers will not produce fruit. They will flower but the flowers will fall off. Peppers, like tomatoes, need night temperatures around 70 F for optimal fruit production.

Jeff Bernhard from the Executive Gardener channel thinks he has found a solution. He waters peppers with cold water in the evening and he thinks this tricks the plants to perceive the soil temperature as lower than 80-90 F and thus to keep producing fruit. Watch him explain this approach in the video below:



"If you live in Zone 8, 9 or 10, you know that it is very difficult to grow sweet and bell Peppers in the middle of the summer with temperatures around 100 degrees every day. During the nights, the temperature gets to a low of 87 degrees. In these conditions flower buds drop off the plant, leaves wilt and fruit will certainly not set if temperatures do not get below 75 degree at night. I have found a way to grow bell peppers in these conditions all summer long in these hot, hot conditions and also get tons of peppers to set."

Vegetables to grow in the summer heat in Florida, Texas, Nevada, etc:

- eggplant
- okra
- peppers
- chard
- parsley
- green onions

Also, Seascape Strawberries are heat tolerant.

Related: How to grow Hot Peppers, from PepperJoes PennysTomatoes:

How to Keep Your Garden ALIVE While on Vacation (video)

From Reaganite71 YouTube channel:



Click on the video for links to multipart drip irrigation series starts here:
Part 1 Components & layout
Part 2 Trenching/Connecting supply lines
Part 3 Drip Tubing, Fittings, & Emitters
Programing an Electric Water Timer

Best Vegetables to Grow in Summer Heat and Tropical Climates (video)

Best Vegetables that Thrive in Summer Heat & Tropical Climates - YouTube http://buff.ly/Sq8LmN

John from http://www.growingyourgreens.com/ goes on a field trip to Koolau Farmers and Fukuda Seed Store in Honolulu Hawaii to share with you some crops that thrive in the tropical climate of Hawaii and will also perform well in many summer time gardens.

First, John visits Koolau Farmers and shares with you his top picks and tips for growing vegetables, herbs and fruits in Hawaii and other tropical climates.

Second, John visits the Fukuda seed store that has been in business since 1920 selling seeds in Hawaii. They are one of the oldest seed companies still operating in Hawaii at this time. You will discover some interesting facts about seeds and along the way. John will share his TOP picks of seeds that will thrive in tropical climates as well as your HOT SUMMER GARDEN! You will learn many unique and rare heirloom varieties of fruits, herbs, vegetables and leafy green vegetables that John loves, plus the "outlaw" vegetable that can not be shipped to the mainland! You will also discover some unique Asian vegetables and crops that can be grown as perennials in the tropics.

Learn more about Koolau Farmers at: http://www.koolaufarmers.com

The Fukuda seed store's web site is not currently online. They are not super tech savvy. So contact them directly by calling (808) 841-6719. You can request a catalog and they can email it to you. They take orders over the phone.



Manoa lettuce is one type of lettuce that is able to survive the heat.

Related:

http://archives.starbulletin.com/2002/04/17/features/index.html
http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/oc/freepubs/pdf/hgv-2.pdf
Tropical Perennial Vegetables and Fruits - Growing Your Greens - YouTube http://bit.ly/1woC8qs

From Amazon:

Top 3 leafy green vegetables to grow in the heat: Swiss chard, tree collards, dinosaur kale

A Tougher Breed of Kale that's more suited to the Florida climate: Highland Kale (aka Ethiopian Kale or Ethiopian Blue Mustard), Brassica carinata. Florida Survival Gardening: http://buff.ly/1xk1HIn

10 Tips on How to Have a Successful Desert Vegetable Garden in the Heat (video)

Some varieties that grow well:

- small fruited eggplants and tomatoes such as cherry punch
- okra
- peppers
- basil
- Swiss chard

Okra is a Southern favorite, a wonderful edible and ornamental plant

Growing and Harvesting Okra by Jeff Bernhard: Is there a better plant to grow in the super hot summer months in Texas than Okra? Probably not. The Okra plant loves the hot weather and rewards gardeners with bumper crops if they are cared for appropriately. In this episode we will give you tips on how to grow Okra and harvest Okra. Okra is also becoming especially popular with in the culinary arts with chefs finding new uses for this vegetable in their entrees. Give Okra a try!

"Okra is a controversial vegetable to some. It is as much a part of Southern cuisine as collard greens and fried chicken. But in the Southern kitchen, it is far more controversial. Folks love okra or they hate it. No one - veritably no one - is in the middle. Okra is the new asparagus. Okra can take the heat and is the perfect Garden Finger Food.

Okra lovers passionately love okra in all manners of all shapes and forms. Boiled, fried, steamed, grilled, broiled, pickled, whole, sliced and julienned.

Most okra doesn’t taste good when it’s long; it becomes tough and woody. In general, look for young, small pods no longer than 4 inches, depending on the variety. There is a reason okra is called ladyfingers in some countries. Seek out pods smaller than a lady’s finger!" -- Summer foods: Okra – Eatocracy - CNN.com Blogs http://bit.ly/19ujmF0

Okra is a Southern favorite. The pods can be grilled, fried or eaten in gumbo.

"Fife Creek" okra is an heirloom strain that bears pods that can be 5-6 inches long and still tender. This KY heirloom was given to the Fife family by an elderly Creek woman over 100 years ago. It is available as Pkt Item # 69114 from Southern Exposure: http://www.southernexposure.com/fife-creek-cowhorn-okra-4-g-p-341.html

Okra has beautiful flowers and edible leaves. The red variety is very ornamental. Okra is related to edible hibiscus.



How to grow okra:



Related:

Okra in Raised Beds - YouTube http://bit.ly/15d0DVT
Okra Flowers in Bloom - YouTube http://bit.ly/17M78nK
Okra can take the heat and is the perfect Garden Finger Food http://buff.ly/1xk1bKp