January 2012

Finally, the garden project is up and running! It feels good to be able to actually get our hands dirty. 

[The compost bins and the future garden site after the weeds and grasses have been chopped.]

Compost bins: We built 5 compost bins from pallets donated by the Island Narket in Naalahu, Hawaii. One bin is already filled and a second is half way there. We're making progress. 

Garden Layout: The garden map is starting to become reality. For the past month we've been making drawings and figuring out ideas.msections are now marked off for the chicken pens, rabbit pen, greenhouse, and general garden area. We also added a parking area. 

Storage Shed: A used shed has been donated by Betty of Discovery Harbour and we are all extremely grateful. It's a luxury to be able to store are tools right here at the garden, rather than having to cart them home every time. It is nice to have a secure, locked storage area, 

Chicken Pen: Materials have been purchased. So now the goal is to make the foundation and flooring, then put the rest together. This will take time. But we have started leveling a spot and gathering rocks for the base. 

Greenhouse : We've accumulated all the necessary pieces except for the plastic film. We have a general idea how we will build this, so we are now cutting the 2x4s, pipes, and making the benches. 

Clearing the Land: This is the hardest part. The weeds are 4 to 7 feet high!  And very thick. We are using a weedwacker, a mower, and brute strength. At times the volunteers are on their hands and knees cutting the stems of each woody bush in order to clear land. We hack, chop, cut, and lop. All the cut weeds and grass goes into the compost bins, which by the way are filling rapidly. We are making lots and lots of compost.

Once the hard work is completed, we will reap the joy of being able to plant. But this beginning work is physically difficult and mentally demanding. January is difficult, so we are all looking forward to a rewarding February, 

Sweet Potatoes: making progress! The last few days of January we were able to de-grass and de-rock a large enough area to plant our first crop. A good load of compost, biochar, lime, and bone meal has been tilled in. Yes tilled! No rock! We planted Old Hawaiian White sweet potato cuttings that came from Maui. It is quite exciting to see our first bed come into existence! Volunteers also made progress in de-grassing and de-rocking the next bed for more sweet potatoes that we plant in February. 

[Sweet potato cuttings that have been planted and mulched.]