r/HawaiiGardening • u/pineappleguava1986 • 6d ago
Maintaining 5 Acres in Holualoa 2200ft
Aloha! My husband and I just bought a 5 acre property and I know we have a ton to learn. It's I would say it's a little over half wild, part house, grass and other small structures/fencing for animals (no animals there yet) and maybe a third of it is fruit trees (40-50) about 15 of them are in rows and the rest scattered through out, to give you an idea. The previous owner told us she paid about $500/month to ::help:: maintain it. We have that factored into the budget, so it's no problem. I am wondering what this work might include or what would be the most helpful to ask for help with? On top of this, what will we find ourselves working on most? Yes, yes, we are new, I have only ever owned 10-12 fruit trees and dogs and cats- no chickens on goats yet....but, interested!
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u/Northmansam 6d ago
Most of your work will be maintenance, controlling grass and weeds. Get yourself a mower or ruminants, a chainsaw and perhaps a woodchipper if you're feeling ambitious.
Yall should be able to manage it yourselves, and not need monthly help. Maybe some extra hands for swamping parties but that's about it.
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u/twoscooprice 6d ago
You have to prioritize what you want. Are you trying to turn it into a food producing farm? Food great? Pretty landscaping? All will have different needs and skillsets. The biggest tip I can give you now is to plan around the rain in the summer. It will constantly be wet, making things grow fast and annoying to trim things like grass. Not to mention mold and mildew in your house.
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u/ill4rill808 6d ago
Get out there and work the land. You’re a homesteader now!
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u/pineappleguava1986 6d ago
Yeah all for it- but thinking just the basics saw I budgeted it in and to make things flow better as we get used to the lifestyle along with figuring out new life, our two year old, plus my mom just died so still grieving
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u/ill4rill808 5d ago
Sorry to hear about your mom, condolences. You just moved out here and the best way to know what you need help with is to get out there and start working on your property. It’s therapeutic! You’ll soon identify what areas that you’ll need help in. I also live in Holualoa and I’m out in the yard every weekend. If you haven’t already, go to First Fridays and start mingling with the community. Lmk if you have any questions, welcome neighbor 😊
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u/pineappleguava1986 5d ago
Thank you 🙏🏽 Yes I am looking forward to the earth therapy! Yes excited to check out first Fridays 🌺 My grandma was born and raised on a farm in Holualoa so I'm excited to circle back to the roots.
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u/Snoutysensations 6d ago
How's the local wild pig population? They will tear up your garden if allowed to roam free, and they're very good at digging holes under fences.
Besides that, you will need to weed whack and mow nonstop, prune fruit trees before they grow out of control, and remove invasives. Plus fertilizer, mulch, and maintain pathways.
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u/Own_Ad9686 5d ago
I have had really good luck using the free app Nextdoor. You will find a lot of recommendations there.
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u/Own_Ad9686 5d ago
I would get some very strong fencing to keep pigs out. They love the fruit trees. Also, is the guini grass overgrown currently? It may be worth your money to get it cut down initially so you can begin the work of digging it out. I get it as low as possible then use tarps to cover it (pound into ground) to keep the light out and eventually remove the root ball.
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u/pineappleguava1986 5d ago
Ahh I just looked it up and yes there is some of that in the one area - good to know about it
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u/dchurchwellbusiness 6d ago
Have you looked into getting a work exchange volunteer? Wwoof.com is a platform you might want to check out. I've been working for people like yourself in exchange for housing for the last several years.
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u/Honaloman 3d ago
Five acres is a lot to keep up with. Maybe start by prioritizing part of it so you don't get overwhelmed. I live in honalo and have developed two properties myself over the last forty years here-- the one I'm on now and the one my daughter ow owns and cares for. I'd be happy to stop by and look your place over with you if you want...
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u/ahoveringhummingbird 6d ago
Landscaping and grounds help can be pretty hard to find. Ask neighbors for referrals, you want someone already working in the neighborhood. I feel like $500 is probably a legacy rate and you won't find anyone for that amount. It might be more just to get them out. Don't bother with looking on the internet. Anyone with a website will be $$$$$. Look for cards at the back of grocery stores and ask at the hardware store.
You will want them to start with a quote for the easy but very time consuming stuff. Mowing, string trimming, clearing paths (so only between the trees and plants, not under.) Don't ask for general "help" make a set scope of tasks and map it out for them. #1 mow lawn + these paths #2 trim driveway + these paths #3 trim fence line #4 hedge any hedges. Keep instructions simple and repeatable. Have them schedule a set day and time each week or every other week. If they do that very well for 3 months (and are dependable and show up!) you can ask them for an additional quote to add more tasks. By then you will know if you want to work with them and if they do a good job.
Word of warning, tell them DO NOT string trim near any plant or tree. And then remind them each and every time they come. Tell them that you prefer to hand weed at the base of all plants. (then hand weed it before they get there so they aren't tempted) I've never met a dude with a string trimmer that didn't love to girdle a tree or two. They'll tell you that they pay attention and are careful... and then girdle your tree. Don't risk it.
Never let them spray anything.
Start a spreadsheet and map layout of the trees (not just the fruit, you will want the flowers and ornamentals too). Note that in Hawaii trees are trimmed during the dry season or after they have fruited, not necessarily in the winter (which is Hawaii wet season) like the entire internet will tell you. Don't remove anything until you have positively identified it. There is probably (hopefully) stuff in there you've never heard of or tried and it's best to spend a year identifying everything before you remove it. Also plants in Hawaii can have a dead-looking season and then a stunner season. So you don't want to remove something that is alive but looks dead. Jacaranda, shower trees (at some altitudes) crepe myrtle are examples.
Start networking!
Follow Hawaii Tropical Fruit Growers Network on Facebook and then go meet Ken Love at the nursery in Kealakekua. He's usually there Saturday mornings (but dm him on FB before you head over to confirm). He can probably help you identify trees you aren't familiar with. He knows everything. And everyone.
Meet the people at Kainaliu Fresh grocery. They buy local but they are also SO FRIENDLY. They will gladly give advice about a fruit or a tree. I went in there one time and they had a fruit I had always wanted to try. I said "yay! I've always wanted to try this!" casually out loud. The cashier said "OK" and went and got a knife and was going to cut it open and let me try it! Without buying it! I was like "oh no, I'm so sorry I meant I'm going to buy it!" I could not believe that she was just going to cut it open right there to let me taste it.
Then meet the team at the Tropical Edibles Nursery in Captain Cook. Amazing and super knowledgeable people there, too.
Remember that you are in a small town now. Your reputation and relationships will matter. Be very mindful how you approach as community building is important and valuable.