TOM WOODS

Tom Woods (plot #91) is the executive director of Mission Houses Museum.   Knowing that he has an absolutely fascinating background, I asked him to please tell us about himself.  Here is what he wrote:

"I moved to Hawaii last April, and it was a bit of a shock not to have a backyard to plant a garden. I grew up on a farm in Minnesota and have always had a home garden. I was lucky to become a co-gardener with Emmanuel Dennis for a year before getting my own plot.

"I have a Ph.D. in American Studies and am an agricultural historian and have worked in an area of the open-air museum field, called Living History Farms, for most of my career. 

"I directed a living history farm in Minnesota, and then was head of all the historic sites in Minnesota for the Minnesota Historical Society, before moving to Wisconsin, where I became director of a large open-air museum called Old World Wisconsin, a place with ten 19^th and early 20^th-century working ethnic farmsteads.

"We farmed with horses, oxen, equipment, and plant varieties of the appropriate period. I became very involved in historic varieties of garden vegetables, crops, and breeds of animals.

"For seven years, I served as vice president of the board of Seed Savers Exchange, a national organization headquartered in Decorah, Iowa, that collects heirloom seeds and their stories. It was this organization that reawakened interest in heirloom varieties of seeds among the commercial seed companies, and it is the source for most of their seed stock. I also worked my way through college by founding a landscaping business, so gardening of all sorts is in my blood.

"That’s the short story. I am delighted to have a plot in Diamond Head Community Garden and am enjoying the neighbors I have met there."

LINKS:

Minnesota Living History Farm: 

http://www.mnhs.org/places/sites/ohkf/visitkelley.html

Old World Wisconsin: 

http://oldworldwisconsin.wisconsinhistory.org/

Seed Savers Exchange:

http://www.seedsavers.org/ 

Mission Houses Museum: 

http://www.missionhouses.org/

SILVIA GIANETTI BARBER

Silvia and Kyle Barber garden plot 109

Silvia Gianetti Barber is an environmental scientist. She works for a consulting company and does a lot of work on former plantation land on the islands (pineapple, sugarcane) that is being converted into other types of agriculture and crops. In general she works wherever there's contamination and a need to remediate. Her husband Kyle Barber is working for a bioenergy company and grows algae and other crops for biofuels.

Silvia, how did you get into gardening?  Did someone teach you?

I've always grown herbs and other plants growing up with my mom (in Italy). Then I volunteered in an organic farm program here at UH while studying.


Why do you garden?  What do you get from it?
I garden to get fresh produce. I also enjoy working in the garden a lot. 


What is the best or most interesting thing you’ve ever grown?
Taro. We have about 1/4 of the plot with taro. We make poi when we harvest. Yummy!


Do you actually cook and eat what you harvest?
I eat everything from my garden. The only greens I eat are those from my garden. 


If you could have it your way, how would you improve the garden?
Not sure.


Do you know of any interesting, funny, inspiring or curious things that have happened in the garden?
I like chitchatting and socializing with other gardeners around my plot. We are a group of interesting characters :-) We share plants, seedlings and suggestions.

JUNE 21: SUMMER SOLSTICE IN THE GARDEN

CELEBRATE

SUMMER SOLSTICE

IN OUR COMMUNITY GARDEN

Tuesday, June 21, 2011 , 6:00 – 8:30 PM

Calling all garden musicians, dancers, singers and performers!  Bring your guitar, flute, ukulele, kazoo…

Whatever you make music with and join the fun!

Potluck Music & Potluck Food.

Coordinators: Elsha Bohnert (#34) and Susanne Sims (#90)

MEET THE AMAZING MR. ALOHA: EDGAR CLARK III

Edgar by his dry taro plants

While Edgar Clark is waiting for his own garden plot, he has been given carte blanche in growing whatever he wants in Margie Kerr's plot #13.  You should see her garden now.  It's turned into the happiest place for plants and butterflies.  Edgar talks to his plants, listens to them, plays his ukulele while walking around, or brings a small radio to play classical music for the plants to enjoy while he works the garden.  After you've read this interview you'll understand why we call him Mr. Aloha.

Edgar, please tell us something about yourself and your experience so far with co-gardening a plot.

I’ve lived in Diamond Head Hale on Pualei Circle for the past 6 years. I’ve worked at Hawaiian Telcom for the past 27 years during the day and for a law firm in downtown Honolulu at night.

I am currently co-gardening for Margie Kerr plot #13. From the short time I’ve met her I can say that she carries the essence of aloha with her and is one of the most caring and thoughtful persons you will ever meet in our garden. A most unusual Venus-Bronze Hibiscus has been planted in her garden to honor her presence. You must see her when in bloom.

I’ve also met some of the nicest people while tending to the garden. Steve Denner and DJ Carvalho were happy to share their vegetables with me.

Malia Cross showed me the worm bin. I was fascinated and grossed out at the same time! I would like to learn more about composting with worms.

A local philanthropist who takes walks in the mornings sponsored me and my brother with a gift membership in joining up with two service organizations: The Elks and The Kamehameha Lions.

After a little more than a month of gardening in plot #13, I realized that I ran out of room to plant. So I am in the process of helping to create a butterfly garden, a native Hawaiian garden which will include medicinal and endangered plants, a hybrid Hibiscus garden, and a vegetable garden at a nearby private school.

How did you get into gardening?  Did someone teach you?

With all honesty, I don’t like gardening and hate getting my hands dirty. I grew up on a plantation in Kaneohe. When I was twelve, my neighbor thought he was doing me a favor when he gave me a quarter acre of land in back of his property to plant a garden. Everyday after school and homework, he would teach me everything he knew about plants. He was a renowned horticulturist in Hawaii, but at my age I thought he was the most boring person alive. Nevertheless, I am grateful and gained a wealth of information from this wise man that looked almost like Mr. Miyagi from the movie Karate Kid. 

I also learned recipes in making homemade organic pesticides and fertilizers. I still have the black marble composition book with all his notes and secret recipes that he developed over the years. I remember how he showed me how to make nicotine sulfate from leftover tobacco in cigarette butts as a natural (it’s poisonous) pesticide. I went to public places with a latex glove and collected as many cigarette butts as I could find. The nicotine extracted from the tobacco is very effective in eliminating aphids, mites, and a host of other pests. I also learned grafting and air-layering techniques as well as making my own rooting hormone from aspirin and chopped willow tree branches.

Why do you garden?  What do you get from it?

My garden area has always been my sacred space. It keeps me grounded and the growing plants remind me of the regenerative power of life – “life will always find a way.” 

The space here is certainly much smaller than my original garden, but the lesson for me is simple: “The amount of space I have to grow a garden is not most important. What’s most important is what I am able to grow with the space that I have.”

What are you presently growing?

I have several federally listed endangered native Hawaiian plants

Food

Okra

Dry Land Taro

Swiss chard

Bush Beans

Red Hibiscus Tea

Bitter Melon

Wheat grass

Bay Leaf

Kale

Okinawan sweet potato

Native Hawaiian sweet potato

Okinawan Spinach

Cacao seedlings

Fruit

Dragon Fruit

Sour sop

Butterfly Attracting and Host Plants

Crown Flower

Ohai Ali’i

Butterfly Weed

Mamaki

Medicinal

Mamaki

Olena

Ko’oko’olau

Ti Leaf

Kava

Unique Plants

Hybrid Hibiscus (3)

Blue Jade Vine – my favorite bloom!

Ornamental

Blue Grass

Thai Yellow Croton

Do you grow your plants from seeds or seedlings?  What and where is your source?

I use anything and everything; from seeds to cuttings to potted plants. I am now experimenting with grafting and air layering techniques I learned as a teen. I utilize several nurseries in Mililani, Waianae, Kaneohe, Kahaluu, Waimanalo, and Hawaii Kai. They have all opened their doors to my interest in cultivating and propagating their plants. I also have a small network with the nurseries and farmers at the KCC Farmers Market on Saturdays.

For rare and endangered plants, I have several personal sources that I’d be happy to share with you in person.

What is the best or most interesting plant you’ve ever grown?

Many years ago I adopted a Silver Sword plant on a volcanic slope on the big island. Fortunately, my work takes me to Hilo each week, and on occasion I make the drive up the slope to check on my plant.

Do you actually cook and eat what you harvest?

Yes! Organic veggies are so ono! ...And the Monarch Butterfly caterpillars eat like royalty in my garden!

I notice that you have installed solar lighting.  Please tell us why.  

Since I am mostly in the garden after dark, the solar lights provide enough light to see the plants. One night I went down to the garden when we lost power due to lightning and inclement weather. It was so surreal to see the lights shining brightly in complete darkness.
(Note: Unfortunately some of the lights were since stolen.  Edgar has to do without until he finds a better way to secure them.) 

If you had a magic wand, how would you improve Diamond Head Community Garden?

Sorry, there are no magic wands. However, there is magic that exists in one of the core values of Hawaii’s culture. It’s called aloha. To improve our garden, I must first cultivate aloha. Aloha for the people and aloha for the land (Aina). The garden will follow.  My Kupuna (Hawaiian Elder) shared with me this great truth:

No Aloha, No peace.

Know Aloha, Know peace.

Do you have any interesting garden or gardening stories to share?

A Blessing in Disguise

Several months ago I was asked to remove my potted plants around the apartment where I live. I did not see others removing their plants and our House Rules encouraged having potted plants. So I referred the issue to my attorney who advised me to first comply with the request. However, I needed a place to move the plants. Miraculously the co-gardening opportunity was made available at the same time that I needed to remove the plants.  I was then requested to document the case by taking pictures of the potted plants that remained on the property that did not belong to me. While doing this, I was confronted and threatened physical harm by another tenant. The police were called and a report was filed. To address this, my attorney responded with a letter to the board of directors regarding the safety of its residents. The letter also addressed the request to remove my potted plants. In the end, the concerns for safety were addressed and the House Rules prevailed: Potted plants are encouraged, and I was asked to be a part of a committee to landscape our property.

If the negative incident surrounding my potted plants did not take place, I would not be a part of Diamond Head Community garden today, and all the good things that have come out of the garden would not have occurred.  

Blessings from the Diamond Head Community Garden

• I’ve met some of the most wonderful people while gardening.
• Plants in the ground and no longer restricted to the confines of a pot.
• I am learning from gardeners about the most interesting edible and non-edible plants. Many are new to me.
• Monarch Butterflies have begun to lay eggs on the Crown Flower!
• An artist passing through the garden handed me her card and asked if she could paint plot #13 when the butterflies start swarming the garden.
• I was able to learn about composting with worms.
• One gardener shared her organic pesticide with me to combat bugs.
• Several gardeners shared their harvested vegetables with me.
• Received a gift of Elks Membership
• Received a gift of Kamehameha Lions Club Membership
• The monthly garden meetings are much livelier than a pack of feral cats in heat! Why would anyone not attend?
• Witness the most amazing sunsets!

• And the opportunity to…  LIVE ALOHA!

APPLYING FOR A GARDEN PLOT

Here at this picnic table (by the Paki Street entrance) 

is where you register your presence 

with the Plot Applications Officer after each meeting.

 

APPLICATION

• To apply for a garden plot, you must fill out an application form.  Forms are available from the Plot Applications Officer after each meeting.
• Be sure to write clearly and legibly and include your email address.
• Be sure to sign and date your application form.  Photo ID required! 
• If the application form bears more than one name (a couple or a family applying jointly), ALL applicants must sign the form and show their photo ID.
• If no plot is available, your application will be put on the wait list in the order that it is received.

ATTENDANCE

• It is important that you attend the Garden Meetings.
• Make sure you register your presence with the Plot Applications Officer at the end of the meeting.  Photo ID required! 
• If you miss three (3) meetings in a row, it will be taken as a sign that you are not interested in a garden plot anymore, and your application will be deleted.

POINT SYSTEM

• Each time you attend a meeting and register with the Plot Officer, you earn one (1) point.
• The more points you earn, the quicker you rise to the top.
• Missing a meeting may mean that you’ll lose your place and be dropped down one or more places.
• To inform you where you are on the wait list, the list will be emailed to you, as well as, posted in the garden kiosk within a week after each meeting. 
• Volunteering as co-gardener will NOT help you rise to the top of the list any faster, but it will create you goodwill J

PLOT ASSIGNMENT

• When you reach the top of the wait list and a plot becomes available, it will be assigned to you only if you are present at that meeting.  If not, the plot will be assigned to the next person in line who is present.
• When you get your plot assigned, the yearly dues are to be paid immediately to the Treasurer.  Dues are not prorated, although the Treasurer may make an exception for the last couple of months of the year.
• At plot assignment, you will receive a copy of the Rules & Regulations for the Community Recreational Gardening Program, the Diamond Head Community Garden Bylaws, and the Honolulu Community Gardens Handbook.

MEET ALLAN DOUGHERTY AT PLOT 27

When I first met Allan Dougherty he was busy spraying his plants with a Neem solution, an organic pesticide.  "You apply it after you water the plants." he says. "But it's pretty weak, so you have to do it often."

When I ask Allan why he gardens, he grins: "To eat!" 
Then he adds, "I don't trust commercial foods." 

I get the picture when he tells me that for 25 years he grew his own food back in Lower Puna with no big city amenities available, like electricity and running water.  "Farming in the jungle," he calls it. 

He now limits himself to his little garden plot, growing different kinds of spinach and lettuces, as well as, collard greens, okra, kale, beets, ong choi, parsley, lemon grass, green onions, and also herbs, like basil, oregano, tarragon, sage, thyme, and chives.

May you live a long and radiant healthy life, Allan!

GARDEN MEETING FEBRUARY 9, 2011

"That was such an interesting meeting," Edgar said. "I had no idea the meetings would be that fun."
Edgar is a new applicant for a garden plot (There are now 18 people on the wait list, down from 24 last month.) and this was the first garden meeting he attended.
"Oh, that was nothing." Lisa said. "This one was tame compared to others we've had."
"Really?" Edgar was intrigued. "Maybe you should do a Reality TV series."

Ha!  Imagine... 
"Garden Idol" -- Who has the most beautiful, most bountiful plot?
"Gardening with the Stars" -- Put celebrities to work in our garden!
"Extreme Makeover"-- Over here, my plot needs a makeover!
"Garden Plots" -- Ooooh, this one could be a real thriller!

At the meeting the discussion centered around two issues:

1)  Do longtime co-gardeners have the right to "inherit" the plot?
Fair or not, according to the regulations set by the C&C of Honolulu Community Gardens, the answer is a clear No.  But President Bill Hanrahan will continue seeking clarification from Nathan, our liaison with C&C.

2)  Should members of the plot monitoring committee remain anonymous?
After a lively discussion, including the choice of having every garden member openly take a turn at doing the job, the vote delivered an overwhelming Yes for anonymity.

On my way out of the garden I looked up and saw this spectacular sunset sky.  Perfect for our Reality TV Garden Thriller.

BEAUTIFUL DAY FOR GARDENING

Sunny (#71) watering her lush garden

Loyd (#97) showing off his Suriname cherries

Joan (#40) working among the Hawaiian ginger plants in the beautification area

Ken (#40) showing off his Spanish moss

Eunice (#20) with her harvest of green beans

Sandy & Anne Marie (#73) among their exotic flowers

THE LITTLE PLANT THAT COULD

The miracle in plot #38 

One morning Anne Alvarez discovered to her dismay that one of her US hybrid Kewala tomato plants had been knocked over and was lying on its side, roots exposed, little fruits drooping pitifully in the mud.  The poor plant had already been suffering from spotted wilt virus.  Its fruits had grown distorted and its leaves were dying.  But Anne didn't give it another thought.  She dug a hole, plopped the little plant in it, and watered it.  Against all odds, it didn't die.  On the contrary.  Even with all its leaves gone, it went on to produce 8 tomatoes that grew almost bigger than the plant itself!  

How are you like this little Kewala tomato plant?

YEAR OF THE RABBIT

 
And indeed, a white rabbit appeared in the garden shortly after our first meeting of the year, causing much consternation.  I would have taken a picture of it, had I had my camera with me (the picture above is something I doctored up).  Still, what to do when it shows up again?

It's not been the first time.  I'm told that someone once went to the Humane Society and rented a couple of traps.  Unfortunately, the traps disappeared (with rabbit or without?) and the poor fellow had to pay the Humane Society for the loss of the traps.

We've had rain and more rain, interspersed with glorious sunshine...

The first meeting of the year would be dedicated to electing a new board -- not a glamorous task for the Nominating Committee, even under the best of circumstances.  Had it rained, there would have been no problem.  But the day was bright and cheery, and so we met under a cloud, not of rain, but of confusion and discord.  The issue was the meeting place:  In the garden, as usual, or in the pavilion a block away.

Gardeners are passionate people and it was no surprise that passions ran high.

My take on it?  No one is to blame and all of us are responsible for our own actions.
Besides, there are worse things going on in the world.
As Tom Robbins says in his book, "Fierce Invalids Home from Hot Climates"...

Peoples of zee world, relax!
 

 

 Eventually, we did accomplish electing a new board.

• Bill Hanrahan - President
• Marilyn Mick - Vice President
• Lisa Miller - Secretary
• Janet Loo - Treasurer
• Elsha Bohnert (that's me) - Plot Applications Officer (Not to be confused with Plot Monitoring Committee!!!)

Mahalo to Robert Tellander, Marilyn Mick, Janet Loo, Nancy Miller, Shelley Garcia, Debbie Millikan, and Steve Denner for all they've done to help the garden flourish.  And thank you to Marilyn Mick and Janet Loo for willing to continue serving on the Board.  (Please correct me if I left anyone out)

I will feature interviews of the new board members soon.  Actually, Lisa Miller was featured earlier (just scroll down), but I will add another post on her if she is willing.  She is too interesting a person to do just once.

And finally, a word to Dorothy "DJ" Carvalho, even though she has no internet connection:  "If I had known you were interested in the job of Plot Applications Officer, I would not even have volunteered.  I did so because the Nominating Committee was desperate and I thought I might as well."

Happy Year of the Iron Bunny!