| Aloha Rebecca, Kaumana should be fine for most of the things you listed. I'm not sure about the root vegetables such as sweet potatoes & carrots unless you put in the depth of dirt they require. Perhaps you could build some raised beds for them. Many areas of Kaumana are just shallow pockets of soil over pahoehoe lava. The small fruited tomatoes are more likely to do well for you since the larger fruited tomatoes can be stung by fruit flies. Also, for home gardening, the "indeterminate" types of tomato plants will continue to grow and produce tomatoes for several years whereas the "determinate" types of tomatoe plants will die off within one year. Lima beans may do well and they will grow for several years. Green beans are also likely to grow well, although they will die off within a year. Collard greens might do well. They are kind of a cross between spinach and cabbage and once established will stay growing for years. Just harvest the leaves as you want to eat them and let the stalk grow. Ask the folks at Garden Exchange and Paradise Plants if the particular plant you are interested in will grow at your elevation. See what your neighbors are growing, that is also a good indication of what will grow there. There are about a half dozen different varieties of apples, peaches and pears you could grow in Kaumana. Check for the varieties with the "low chill" requirements. Coffee might do well, perhaps lavender too. You may even have enough elevation for proteas. A hui hou, Cathy |