Having a reliable soil testing lab available is essential in getting an idea as to what minerals are available in ones soil. As Jerry Brunetti states “here in Hawaii we are growing European plants without European soils”.

What is your soil like where you live. Mine here is Wailuku is alluvial clay which is Alluvium soil deposited from Iao Valley. Its beautiful clay that needs organic matter to become flocculated to the point where one can stick ones hands into it down seven inches. Plants love this soil when its high in humic content from composting and cover cropping.

The soil in my friend’s backyard garden that i’ve been trying to help with in Kahului is quite sandy. As this is new to me, i’ve been experimenting with containers in addition to ‘companion planting’. Otherwise the water seems to just disappear into the ground leaving layers of sandy patches behind.