Many local residents are turning to home gardens due to of COVID-19 quarantine practices; however, it¡¯s not easy to find locally developed seeds for plants that perform well in Â鶹´«Ã½¡¯s unique tropical conditions and are resistant to local pests and plant diseases.
Fortunately for professional growers and backyard enthusiasts, the University of Â鶹´«Ã½ at ²Ñ¨¡²Ô´Ç²¹¡¯s ¡¯ (CTAHR) UH Seed Laboratory provides a wide selection of vegetable and fruit seeds that have been bred and tested to grow well in Â鶹´«Ã½.
Lettuce, tomatoes, eggplants, supersweet corn and green onion are just a few of the varieties they have to offer. The seeds come in individual home garden packets for $1.50 each, and the lab ships them directly to home addresses.
To order seeds, contact the UH Seed Laboratory at seed@ctahr.hawaii.edu or call (808) 956-7890. Seeds that are currently available are on the .
—By Desmond Ogata, UH Seed Laboratory, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources