Gardening in Hawaii is unlike doing it anywhere else. With nutrient-rich volcanic soil and year-round growing seasons, it’s the ideal environment for a variety of foods. If you’re interested in starting an garden but have no experience, there are a few key things to know about gardening in this unique part of the world.

South Maui Gardens, Kihei, HI’s main source for nursery plants and flowers, recommends these five tips for beginning your garden:

1. Consider Temperature & Elevation

Mainlanders often forget that Hawaii’s climate isn’t just tropical — it also encompasses snow-topped mountain peaks. This makes Hawaii a great place for hot and cold weather plants, but your elevation will determine the ideal growing season. Tomato plants, for example, tend to crack and dehydrate in temperatures higher than 85F; so, if you’re growing them on Maui, start them in early fall.

2. Practice Pest Control

Hawaii is a delightful place to live for several species — not all of them will let your garden grow in peace. Before you plant anything, have a plan for keeping out wild boars, turkeys, mongooses, and other feral critters. Start with a wire fence with a gate.

3. Start Small

Don’t take on more than you can handle at once. Even if gardening seems straightforward, the chores add up and quickly take up more time than a beginner would anticipate. Some good starter crops include lettuce, bok choy, tomatoes, and radishes, as these don’t take up much space. When you become more experienced, you can take on produce such as watermelon and pineapple.

4. Ensure Adequate Sunlight With Smart Placement

For the healthiest crops, start your garden in an area that receives at least eight hours of sun per day and is a few feet away from trees and shrubs. Too much shade will stunt your veggies’ growth, and tree roots can compete with them for nutrients. Keep short plants to the south of your garden and tall ones to the north so that the latter won’t shade the former.

5. Separate Perennials From Annuals

If you’re growing perennial plants, like asparagus and rhubarb, keep these in a separate section from annual vegetables. This will make things much easier when you’re tilling the soil between annual crops.

Looking for some nursery plants? Stop by South Maui Gardens. With a mission to spread beauty to the public quickly and efficiently, they take pride in their healthy plants and flowers. For questions, give them a call at (808) 419-6562. More information is available on their website.