Posts: 210
Threads: 59
Joined: Nov 2006
If you are going to put in some plants, it is a good idea get a bunch of mulch to age so you can use it for planting. But if you don't want to wait for the mulch to age, you can get potting soil at home depot or walmart. But it is kind of expensive.
Before you plant, it is probably a good idea to put in a fence to deter uninvited visitors. Plant so the ground around the tree are lower and are convex like that of a a wok, so water can run to the tree. Also planting near the bottom end of the slope will get more water for the trees. Planting in the rainy season is probably best for the trees to get a good start.
Good luck
canhle
canh Le
Posts: 325
Threads: 54
Joined: Jun 2007
Thank you, everyone, for your comments and suggestions.
For another perspective, we are also off island and have been planting gradually over the past two annual visits to our HPP lot. We first cleared, then dug holes and brought in soil and cinders for planting areas. Rozette's Nursery has been very helpful with a long-term plan and Ian did the actual planting by bringing the machinery to dig deep planting holes. We have the advantage of many good neighbors to help watch over things. We have planted a small orchard of about 16 trees, mostly citrus and avocado, also an allspice tree and a jackfruit. Consulting or hiring someone with local knowledge and qualifications was critical in our minds. Gardening in Vancouver, BC is completely different from Hawaii!
We have hired someone to maintain weed control; this is critical as others have stated. We left it to nature the first year and had invasive weeds and trees going for the good soil that surrounded the young plants, including a tree that grew over 12' in less than one year on what was a mostly-cleared lot! We did first rip (selectively) the property and then clear portions of the land by hand by removing the "junk trees" that were competing with the Ohias. Planting young trees (less expensive) in large, deep holes with good soil has proved successful so far. We also mulched to preserve moisture. Watering has seemed to be less of an issue than weed control; however, we are not as close to the ocean as you are and the drier climate may be a factor for you, particularly the first year or two. We spend about $600-$700 per year to keep the land tended.
The plants are thriving. We receive photos on occasion from our gardener. My advice is to plant selectively and pick foundation plants that are large enough to discourage theft. The orchard trees, on the other hand, averaged about $15 each and are on the small side. They needed good pruning and shaping after the first year to head them in the right direction. The major cost overall was in the preparation of the land and the soil, not the purchase of the plants. We thoroughly enjoy tending the plants when we are there and contnue to thin out the "scrub trees" that try to take over.
Another factor is how far off you are from building. In our case, it's about another 2 years or so. If building was 5 years+ away, I would agree that it is too much time to leave nature unattended - the land will close up again to take over what you have planted, particularly if you do not first start with a mostly-cleared area around the plants.
Good luck to you and happy planning and planting!
Posts: 325
Threads: 54
Joined: Jun 2007
Aki, thank you for your detailed observations!
Damon,
About half of that annual cost is materials (round-up or equivalent) not just labor.
Posts: 248
Threads: 11
Joined: Jun 2006
I agree with aki
Do whatever you can now it will increase the desirability and value.
In the future you never know what you'll be able to do, you here talk about moratoriums on wells and grading and building...so ya just never know...Plus there are businesses that cater to this exact thing if you've got the money to go that route.
I wish we had put more time and money into lot preparation I'd have lots of fruit by now.....and since the house is never finished....
Crime its hit or miss I'm thinking you'll be o.k. plus there are a few punawebbers that live on 3 rd street so get to know your neighbors.
If you can do it, do it... thats my 2 cents.
Posts: 210
Threads: 59
Joined: Nov 2006
Aki is doing all the right thing. If I may added, find a gardener nearby to look at your plant. You will save some money because will give you a price without the gas and time for traveling. Plus, a nearby gardener will be more motivated to work on your lot because it is convenient for him or her.
canhle
canh Le
Aki's advice seems great to me.
My last post about maybe not doing it was based on your first post where the only tending you had in mind for sure was a neighborhood kid to water. But then you raised the idea of paying someone to tend it too ... and I agree that is what you'd have to do.
You will need to apply fertilizer, trim to direct the form of your trees, and do weed control.
When you clear or rip any land and make it fertile, you immediately invite stray seeds to take root. There are some trees here that grow very fast. Regular attention is necessary to keep what you want to have growing and what you don't want to be checked.
So if you want to pay for all that, forge on!
You want to find a gardener who will weed whip with some patience and attention. I can't even count the number of valuable young plants I've lost to weed whackers, only to have the guy say, oh well, it wasn't meant to make it if it's that much trouble to whack around it. Which is totally not my attitude ... but it's a fine line whacking weeds close enough to the trunk that you don't have to do hours of hand pulling.
]