Have A Plant Problem? Ask Masters At The Mall

The Plant Doctor will be on duty from 2 to 7:30 tonight (Sept. 5) at Windward Mall and also from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 20 at the Kailua Thursday Night Market (under a tent) to help shoppers nurture their green thumbs.

Hawaii’s dedicated master gardeners man a table at both sites monthly to answer questions and sell seeds grown, tested and developed by UH researchers for Hawaii’s climate. (They sell for $1 per packet, and proceeds go back to the seed program.)

“We enjoy a brisk and full crowd most of the time at the mall during the Farmers Market,” said Karen Kim, a master gardener and professional potter from Kaneohe, “and our ‘clients’ are appreciative and hungry for help!

“A lot of folks who stop by ask about bugs and soil problems. Most are from wet Kaneohe,” noted Kim, who combines her ceramic pots with flowers and other plants to create green gifts.

She and her colleagues also have handouts for those interested in container gardening. Residents can catch the Plant Doctors on the first Wednesday at mall and the third Thursday at the Kailua market.

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Stuart Ball and Wilma Essel man the UH Master Gardener's Plant Doctor table Aug. 1 at Windward Mall. The two took the early shift for the popular service, which handles questions about bugs, soil, rain and more from a growing gardening public on the first Wednesday of each month during the farmers market. Look for more master gardeners Sept. 5 from 2 to 7:30 p.m. Photo from Karen Kim.