12-12-2011, 02:25 AM
Bett, I lived in Mountain View in 2007-2008 and tried several forms of gardening - no soil there (or very little), so we would buy potting soil. I tried composting, using newspapers as the dry carbon material.... wasn't wildly successful, and we obviously weren't diligent about turning it, because we had choke fruit flies (we composed in a black plastic bin from the transfer station).... It was a constant experiment, and in only 2 short years, I don't feel I got it down pat, that's for sure. Root crops were the most difficult. With cinders, too, I found I had to use frequent doses of fertilizer (tried to use organic most of the time!). I had a large space under the house (tall enough to walk around under) and often potted plants in tubs, etc., and kept them sort of protected under the lanai to keep them from getting too wet from the rains. Still, some things did alright, others didn't. And it seems microclimates abound, so what worked for me, didn't work for a neighbor down the street. All I can say is don't give up, keep experimenting, and also open your options to more local crops - I had a great crop of regular tomatoes one time, couldn't get them to grow next time, so changed to "tree tomatoes" (can't think of the real name - got a plant at Maku'u Farmers Market) and it was wonderful! Grew poha berries. Guava (not wild) grew well. The purple sweet potatoes (local) grew well, but I didn't really like the texture. Herbs were awesome - had the hugest rosemary bush ever, and basil did well, too! Fruit in general seemed to do better than vegetables, but I wouldn't give up on the veggies, either!! Take heart, keep asking questions, but because of so much variety in microclimates, just keep experimenting!!!
About soil, I have tried the "compost, vermiculite, peat moss" mix in Canada where I now spend most of the year, and it works great up there. But I think you're right - it would hold too much moisture in the rain forest. Another thing to try is to have plastic sheeting over your plants to keep so much rain off, but then you have to hand water (like I had to do with the potted plants under the lanai). It's a challenge! But well worth it when you're making a morning smoothie from your own guava, lilikoi, tangerines, and bananas!!!!
Good luck, and keep on gardening!!
Katie
Wherever you go, there you are.
About soil, I have tried the "compost, vermiculite, peat moss" mix in Canada where I now spend most of the year, and it works great up there. But I think you're right - it would hold too much moisture in the rain forest. Another thing to try is to have plastic sheeting over your plants to keep so much rain off, but then you have to hand water (like I had to do with the potted plants under the lanai). It's a challenge! But well worth it when you're making a morning smoothie from your own guava, lilikoi, tangerines, and bananas!!!!
Good luck, and keep on gardening!!
Katie
Wherever you go, there you are.
Wherever you go, there you are.