Kilauea farmer offers gardening lessons, eating techniques

KILAUEA — A farmer in Kilauea is opening up his second class on bio-intensive, organic gardening. Space is limited.

Sun Hadley, master organic gardener and instructor of the Bio-Intensive Organic Gardening Class, has a saying when growing his plants in a small space: “How much can you eat?”

The new class will start on Sunday, May 23, in Kilauea, from 9 a.m. to noon each day.

Hadley has been a farmer on Kaua‘i for 30 years, started the only bio-intensive market garden in the state, and continues to grow that way today.

“We’ve been on this land six months,” Hadley said. “So we just started these gardens, got 28 beds, and 80 square feet each bed. It’s designed in the shape of a flower. And then the center part is where we have meetings and stuff. And someday we’ll make it a real community space.”

Hadley said in his class a new gardener can learn how to create a bio-intensive garden in his or her backyard. In the class, students will discuss which vegetables grow best in Hawai‘i, how to create balanced, remineralized soil that creates a balanced plant free of insect damage, and how to do a soil test before creating a bed.

Students will also learn how to create quality compost, how to prepare a garden bed, how to rotate the planting to help keep the soil healthy, and learn about some permaculture plants and practices — as well as how to use different plant varieties.

“I consult with many farmers and gardeners and have done extensive research, outreach and teachings,” Hadley said. “Just bring a notepad and pencil or pen. Mostly it’s to write down things that are going to jump out for you.”

Dealing with pests is another part of the course.

“(A) problem here on the island is that some of the plants are susceptible to a little critter in the soil called a ‘nematode,’” Hadley said. “And the nematodes will get on the beets or the chard in a heartbeat, or the lettuce or the okra.”

Also incorporated in the gardening class are tips on how to use superfood vegetables and fruit in order to boost health and vitality.

“All you do is eat more greens,” Hadley said. “I’m serious. No processed food. And make sure you’re taking a good vitamin and mineral supplement. Because most of those (processed) foods are empty.”

This isn’t the first time Hadley has grown a bio-intensive garden or taught others how to do it.

“I started up in Waipouli Road and a very famous garden up there for nine years straight,” Hadley said. “And it just got better and better. We are here and this is only six months of growing. That’s why I’m happy with sharing this with others.”

For more information, call 808-652-1591.

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Stephanie Shinno, education and business reporter, can be reached at 245-0424 or sshinno@thegardenisland.com.