A fundamental value of No Ka Oi Landscape Services is giving back to the community.One of our relationships is especially heartfelt – Eleele Elementary School - NKO’s adopted school. Many NKO employees, including Frank Santos NKO Owner, attended Eleele School. Others have children and grandchildren attending today.
Eleele Elementary School students were planning for May Day 2008 and asked NKO to help the school with restoring their Hula Mound that was left unusable after construction. NKO was happy to support the school and adopted the Hula Mound as our annual NKO Earth Day Project.
Last month NKO was asked to talk with the Eleele 2nd Grade students about their “Spearmint Planting Project.”The students planted the herb in boxes and were making tea but wanted more info. NKO does not sell herbs but we do enjoy using them! We thought we would share the lesson plan info NKO presented with you.
SPEARMINT:
1.Spearmint is probably the best loved of all of the herbal mints grown in the home garden due to its delightful scent and beautiful lavender colored flowers.
2.Spearmintoriginated from the Mediterranean area of the world and has been used and appreciated for thousands of years.
3.It was first discovered by the Romans who spread it across Europe and into Britain.
4.Most people have drank mint tea but Spearmint leaves add a wonderful, tasty touch to fruits and are also put in salads, peas and potatoes, omelets as well as in mint jelly and mint sauce.
5.Spearmint oil is used for making flavorings for many things including candy, ice cream chewing gum and toothpaste and mouth wash.
6.It is also used as a fragrance for room fresheners, soaps and cleaning products.
7.Spearmint has long been used as remedy for sore stomach, headaches, nausea, diarrhea, and other sicknesses.
PLANTING SPEARMINT:
1.The plant consists of a smooth, leafy stem withbeautifulspikes of purple flowers on the top. These flagrant, little flowers normally appear from July to September.
2.Spearmint is a perennial herb plant, meaning it will return to your garden, year after year.
3.Plant them in full sun, to partial shade, where the sun will be gotten during the morning hours. They like rich, moist soil.
4.It can reach two to three feet high.Left unattended it can take over the entire garden.
5.You will need to keep it under control by weeding out the stems that appear where they are unwanted. Plant spearmint in pots to avoid this problem.
1.Unfortunately, mint is susceptible to an incurable disease called Rust fungus.
2.All that can be done is to prevent the spread of the disease by digging up all plants that show any sign of rust.
3.The same ground should not be used again for mint for several years.
4.Healthy stock should be obtained and planted in uninfected soil, some distance away.
5.On account of this liability of mint to rust, it is advisable not to have it all in one bed, but to have several beds of it, placed at some distance from each other.
Harvesting Fresh Mint:
The best time to harvest mints for drying is just before they flower.
Mint leaves retain the highest oil content prior to flowering. The oil content in herbs is what gives the herb its aroma and flavor.
If possible always cut mint mid-morning after the leaves have dried but before the heat of the day. Harvesting in the early evening is also a good time.
Harvest spearmint by cutting it with a pair of sharp gardening shears to avoid damaging the plant.
When you harvest mint cut stems of equal length and at least 4" -5" long. You will need the length in the stems if you intend to hang your mint upside down to dry.
After the flowers of the plant are pau, cut the entire plant back to almost ground level to encourage a second growth period.
Drying Methods:
Spearmint can be dried by hanging in a dark, warm area.
Spearmint must be dried thoroughly before storing.
Drying Spearmint:
Gather a bunch of spearmint together by the stems and tie tightly with twine. Cover the bunch of mint with a brown lunch bag and secure.
Cover the spearmint with a brown bag will help them to retain their color and oil content during the drying process.
Hang the bunch of herbs upside down in a dark , warm (70 degrees - 80 degrees) well-ventilated, dust free area.
It typically takes 1-2 weeks for the spearmint to dry completely.
Remove the leaves from the stem after the drying process has finished to store.
Storage Techniques:
When your mint leaves are completely dry, either carefully remove them from the brown bag.
I recommend not crushing your herbs, but rather storing them whole and then crushing them if needed right before using.
Store the dried herbs in airtight containers such as canning jars.
Never store dry spearmint in plastic containers or plastic wrap as the oil will leech out of the herbs into the plastic.
Check your stored spearmint frequently after you have stored them for the first few weeks to look for any signs of moisture.
Spearmint will mold quickly in closed jars if not completely dry.
Once you are sure the herbs are completely dry, place them in the airtight containers, and store them in a cool, dry place away from light.
Using SPEARMINT:
Used fresh or dried, spearmint makes a delicious tea.
Spearmint can also be used as a seasoning for rice, salads and desserts. It goes well with lamb, peas and with new potatoes.
Seeping the fresh leaves in milk or cream makes a flavor for chocolate or deserts.
Simple SPEARMINT Recipes:
SPEARMINT Punch:
Pick a quart of fresh mint leaves, then wash and dry them by shaking them in a clean kitchen towel. Put them into a large jug and mash them with a wooden spoon till soft, when cover with freshly boiled water and infuse for ten minutes. Strain, cool, then set on ice till required. Add two cups of chilled grape juice and strained lemon juice to taste. Sweeten with Hawaiian cane sugar or honey and then add a quart of ginger ale. Fill each tumbler to one-third with cracked ice and fill up with the punch.
SPEARMINT Vinegar:
Fill a jar or bottle with young mint leaves picked from the stalks. Cover with cold white or sherry vinegar and cork or cover the bottle. Infuse for 14 days, and then strain off the vinegar. Use with meats like lamb or new potatoes.
Peas & SPEARMINT:
Cook frozen peas according to package. Add a nice bunch of fresh spearmint sprigs to the water to give your peas a fresh flavor.
Pineapple &SPEARMINT Salad:
Combine cut up pineapple, red onion, fresh spearmint leaves and pinch of salt in a small bowl. That’s it!
Frank and I are International Space Station (ISS) followers.We get tweets from ISS with time and dates (http://twitter.com/space_station) the Station is visible in the Hanapepe sky and like children are taken in by the wonder of our sighting. It’s amazing to think that so many miles above Planet Earth Astronauts are living and working just like us…but different because they are in Space and we are on Earth!
In 1971 Astronaut Stewart A. Roosa (http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/text/roosa_pr.txt) was the command module piloton the Apollo 14 Lunar Mission. Before joining NASA Roosa was a smoke jumper for the United States Forest Service (USFS). This connection led to the USFS chief to ask Roosa to bring USFS tree seeds into space. The folks at USFS had an idea to see if seeds that made the journey into Space would grow back on Earth. NASA was not yet conducting scientific experiments in Space that were unrelated to the Apollo Missions so Roosa used his personal travel kit to bring some 500 USFS tree seeds along for the trip to the Moon.Until Apollo 14 astronaut’s travel kits were filled with coins and trinket items like golf balls so this little experiment not only brought us Moon Trees but opened the hatch for NASA to explore nontraditional scientific experiments in the theater of space.
Roosa, paying tribute to his USFS Ohana, packed his personal kit with a cylinder of Redwood, Pine, Fir and Sycamore tree seeds. The seeds made the 21 day journey to the Moon and back. The biggest challenge was back on Earth when during NASA decontamination the seed capsule burst!The seeds scattered all over the de-com chamber, got all mixed up and were thought to be rendered useless for germination. Dis-heartened NASA workers swept up the seeds and sent to them off to USFS with low expectations for germination.It was to everyone’s surprise and delight that the little experiment that almost went very wrong produced healthy seedlings that would be known as Moon Trees!
This little event created a wonderful legacy that speaks to the amazing pioneering spirit and natural curiosity of us as Americans represented by Astronaut Roosa, the USFS and NASA. Interested to own a Moon Tree? Link here: (http://www.historictrees.org/produ_ht/moonsycm_cc.htm)
The study was born out of data collected by the World Health Organization that estimated approximately 30 percent of all new or remodeled buildings have varying degrees of indoor air pollution. This phenomenon is named "sick building syndrome."
NASA interest in this research was born some sixteen years earlier when scientist identified indoor air pollution problems associated with sealed space habitats. Knowing that humans would someday be living in Space, NASA had a vested interest in identifying how to create an environment that would be less toxic and support life beyond Planet Earth.
For Earthlings the study produced research data that can be applied to how we can live and work and suggests that “If human move into closed environments, on Earth or in Space, we must take along nature's life support system.” The study is based on a simple thesis we allremember learning in Science Class that Plants “breathe” by taking in carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen.
Around the planet Elementary School Children of the 21st Century understand why rain forests are so important in maintaining the delicate balance of the earth’s atmosphere. So how can humans whether in Space or closed environments like offices or apartment building? Well NASA used tropical plants in the experiment and the research showed that these types of plants are particularly effective at processing gases and chemicals. Tropical plants have geneses in dense rain-forests with very little light and as such the evolved to be very efficient at photosynthesis, which includes the absorption of gases from the air. NASA found that the plants with a soil with an activated carbon component created a secondary effect that as plants transpire (emit water from the leaves), air is drawn down around the roots, where root microbes quickly adapt and begin “eating” the harmful chemicals that are absorbed. The plants used in the experiment have been generally accepted as reducing toxic chemicals in indoor environments. Result - clean air naturally!
Three (3) common houseplants Areca Palm, Pathos Plant and the Snake Plant (seen in the photo above L-R) can be found at No Ka Oi Nursery in Hanapepe and can be used use indoors to promote a cleaner environment at work or at home.
A home or office building is not the same as a research lab but having plenty of healthy interior plants leads to a healthier environment and is much nicer than artificial air fresheners!
Searching for a landscape service for your property? Here are few things that you should keep in mind - the first being not all landscape services companies are created equal.
We have an inside joke at NKO…”When you have been disappointed by the rest …call the BEST! NKO routinely get calls from homeowners and property managers who are dissatisfied with the results of their current landscape and often they are paying a fair amount for service.
Care for your property should be something to take seriously. After all, it provides enjoyment, beauty, effects property value and can save (or cost) you money on energy and water.
If you decide to hire a landscape service, make sure you get the right one for you. Different properties have different needs for their landscapes. Some simply want someone who will mow the lawn and fertilize it on occasion. Others want perfect yards with lush lawns and weed-free flowerbeds.
If all you are looking for is basic lawn mowing and maybe some leaf raking and debris clean up, then the neighborhood kid who mows lawns is probably landscape service enough for you. And that is just fine. It helps a young kid learn the value of working for her or his money, and you have an easier time of caring for your lawn.
If you like to have a nice yard, but do not want to do anything with it yourself, then a more full-service operation is probably what you need in the way of landscape maintenance.
When choosing who will take care of your landscape maintenance needs, the first thing you should do is seek out a reputable company. A reputable company is one that has reliable references, and one that has a satisfied customer base.
Another thing to look for in a landscape maintenance service is the equipment. Does it look to be in good shape? You want a company that takes good care of its equipment; that shows that they are more likely to take good care of your yard.
Do not necessarily go with the cheapest service. The cheapest may not always be the best deal. If you are habitually dissatisfied with the cheaper work that may affect you in ways that make it worth it to pay more for landscape maintenance that is of higher quality.
Find a company that cares about customer service. Companies that do not care about customer service will probably not do a good job on your yard.
You should look for a service that takes pride in its work. If the company says it specializes in lawn care ask if they guarantee their results.
Look for a company that has a “sustainable” approach to maintenance. The “right plant in the right place” is a way of looking at landscaping in a modern view. This approach will reduce the use of precious water, plant native to your climate and reduce the amount of additives to save money and the environment.
You want to enhance your property with a gorgeous landscape, but the area is surrounded by shade. Some might suggest covering the land with mulch or turning it into a grand patio, but if you really prefer greenery, what can you do?
Shade tolerant grasses do exist. However, there are several things to remember when trying to grow grass in a shaded area. Even shade tolerant grasses need at least four hours of sunlight per day. You can improve the amount of sunlight to an area by trimming out tree limbs, especially lower limbs. As much as 35-40% of a tree’s limbs can be removed to improve the sun’s penetration without changing the aesthetics of a tree. It also helps to remove any fallen leaves and grass clippings, since they can further add to shade problems.
Once you’ve taken steps to improve sun exposure, you can facilitate the grass to thrive even further. Be sure to keep it one to two inches longer than grass that receives abundant sunlight. Limit fertilization and water deeply, yet only occasionally. Because shade prevents quick evaporation of dew and rain, it can lead to dampness, which encourages disease and inhibits growth.
It’s essential to understand that not all grasses labeled shade tolerant work well in the same environment; some are meant for warm weather climates, while others thrive in cooler climates.
Zoysiagrass is slow-growing, dense grass that is drought tolerant and best in warm weather climates much like Hawaii. El Toro, is a favorite varietal of zoysiagrass to us at No Ka Oi. Appropriately named after the bull, El Toro is pest, drought and disease resistant. El Toro is easy to establish and low maintenance and therefore, considered one of the most sustainable grasses available.
The low maintenance El Toro zoysiagrass; “the bull” is bullet proof and a perfect choice for your shaded landscape.
More than just an industry buzz word, xeriscaping offers an alternative to maintaining the island’s beautiful landscapes with minimal water waste. You can save anywhere from 30%-80% of outdoor water consumption through xeriscaping. If you are interested in turning your landscape into a xeriscape (or a partial xeriscape), there are several guidelines to follow.
The basic premise of xeriscaping is to take advantage of natural climate conditions to make efficient use of irrigation. It’s essential to include plants whose natural requirements are suitable to the local climate. For us in Hawaii, beach naupaka and yellow hibiscus are two examples of indigenous, or native, plants to the islands.
It is equally important to limit and separate grassed areas - that often require the greatest amount of watering - from trees, shrubs and flowering plants. This distinction allows each area to be irrigated individually. You may also consider replacing turf with low water-demanding plants or mulches.
Another fundamental principle of xeriscaping is regular maintenance. Xeriscapes can actually help reduce maintenance costs. By consistently pruning, weeding and properly fertilizing, you can realize even greater water savings. Finally, be sure not to over irrigate; always water according to plant needs.
So, if you’ve heard about xeriscaping, but you thought it meant having a garden full of cacti, you may want to reconsider this creative landscaping approach to conserving water.
