Guest Columns

In the latest Big Island Now gardening column, Master Gardener Tom Timmons explains how to eat a tree. Yes, a tree. And he says it’s yummy.

In another gardening column by Master Gardener Tom Timmons, he writes: “Sadly, tomatoes are subject to so many diseases that I think they may have suicidal tendencies. But with a little TLC, they will survive nicely until you rip them from the plant and chop them up for salsa.”

For the latest Gardening in Hawai’i column, master gardener Tom Timmons explains why its best to follow his wife’s advice and read the directions when planting papaya seeds.

In his latest Gardening in Hawaiʻi column, Kauaʻi Master Gardener Tom Timmons explains how to get rid of beetles, slugs and snails without chemicals.

To the naked eye, they may look like course ground pepper, but through a magnifying lens you will notice the edge of the wings have a lacy appearance — hence the name, lace bug.

Onions have their own sun clock. It is important when purchasing onion seeds to grow in Hawaiʻi to select a short-day variety.

Master gardener Tom Timmons never realized that plants were fussy eaters until he was lollygagging in the garden shop rather than cleaning the garage like he promised his wife and discovered shelves piled with every imaginable kind of fertilizer.

Composting requires four basic components: carbon, nitrogen, water and air. There is not a shortage of these in Hawaiʻi.

Simply put, dirt is dead soil or at least soil on its last organic breath. It contains rocks, sand, clay and other inorganic components.

Basil seems to relish the attention of having its leaves clipped. Regular clipping not only gives you fresh basil for salads and cooking, but it also stimulates the plant’s growth.