Book Description

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