4 tips to grow your best tropical garden

Gardening doesn’t have to be a pain. Check out these tips from a Hawaii landscape expert.

Gardening doesn’t have to be a pain. Here are a few tips from a local landscape expert to help you grow your best garden.

Try xeriscape landscaping

“Drought tolerant landscapes and plants are becoming popular,” says Gary Shinn, owner of Hokuahi Lawns and Garden Shop. “They call it ‘xeriscapes.’” It’s a concept that has been around for a while, but has been receiving more attention lately due to concerns for water conservation. “Lawns are always going to be the biggest part of your water bill,” he says. To keep that bill under control, try downsizing your lawn, installing a rock garden or even a mulch garden. These alternatives will reduce time spent on maintenance and will require less water.

Avoid planting on slopes in the rainy seasons

“These are projects that you should keep to late spring and summertime,” Shinn says of planting on sloped surfaces. He explains that the extra rain in Hawaii’s winter season poses difficulties for plants to take hold and erosion may occur. However, if you must work there despite the rain, Shinn suggests using jute mesh to anchor your plants. Made from burlap, the netting is biodegradable and environmentally friendly. “You roll it on a slope, tack it down and you plant on it,” Shinn says. “You don’t even have to remove it.”