germination | Squash and Awe

It is the new year, and I am enjoying watching the world around me, as it grows, and comes to life. January is an interesting time in upcountry Hawaii. Cool, misty rains will be followed by bright sun and high winds. It is our “wet season” where many vining plants will stretch out their arms, and cover their surroundings.

I often make a lot of comfort food in these cooler days. The slow cooker is often on, and jars of soaked seeds come to life on my countertop. It is a wonderful time to make these warm, slow cooked meals, and use the ambient heat to germinate those seeds who need a little more warmth. Heating pads could be used, but then I wouldn’t have the slow cooked soups. Tomato, bean, and chili pepper seeds will get this jump start germination, right before my eyes. I feel again like a child, as I spy on secret worlds in every corner of the pond, garden, and kitchen.

Mexico Midget Heirloom tomato seeds germinate in a simple jar

The greenhouse also wakes up for another season. A Japanese White Eye bird was found in there, and seemed eager for my assistance. Once freed outdoors, it quickly returned to feeding on the young banana blooms. Orchids also bloom, and multiply, and my aquarium guppies, will be freed into the flowing waters of the aquaponics system. Appearing like embers of red, flashing inside the glass vessel. I paused for a moment to take one last close look, before releasing them into a much larger place for them to explore.

Work is everywhere. Planting, and collecting. Repotting, and pruning. Full days, and cozy nights of Winter reading. I don’t even bother to make lists of what needs to be done. At this time of year, everything needs to be done, and every task completed is something to celebrate.

Honored to say the least, it was a pleasure hosting the Gettle family as they toured Hawaii. I began my farm with Baker Creek Heirloom seeds, and I continue to this day with their company. Last April 1st, I took a chance by growing only heirloom seed as a means of trying to bring back squash growing to Hawaii Island. I thought that maybe I could avoid the many pests and disease here in the islands by using historic varieties. Bingo…it worked and with a great deal of style, beauty, and flavor to boot.

I loved the Gettle’s company, and I believed that they were an honest company that I wanted to do business with. Who would have thought that they would visit my pumpkin patch just prior to the farm turning one year old. Some times dreams do come true. That “chance” I was taking put me on the map for local produce. I grew exceptional, big, flavorful squash and worked directly with chefs to make a market for them.

Thank you Jere, Emilee, Sasha, and wee baby Malia!

Some of the take aways from their seed: Great germination, wonderful flavors, pure seeds, history, a wide variety of Winter squash and so much more.

the pursuit of pumpkin