Best Vegetables that Thrive in Summer Heat & Tropical Climates

First, John visits Koolau Farmers and shares with you his top picks and tips for growing vegetables, herbs and fruits in Hawaii and other tropical climates.

Second, John visits the Fukuda seed store that has been in business since 1920 selling seeds in Hawaii. They are one of the oldest seed companies still operating in Hawaii at this time. You will discover some interesting facts about seeds and along the way. John will share his TOP picks of seeds that will thrive in tropical climates as well as your HOT SUMMER GARDEN! You will learn many unique and rare heirloom varieties of fruits, herbs, vegetables and leafy green vegetables that John loves, plus the "outlaw" vegetable that can not be shipped to the mainland! You will also discover some unique Asian vegetables and crops that can be grown as perennials in the tropics.

After watching this episode, you will learn many different crops you should experiment with in your summer garden to have bountiful harvests, resist the summer heat, and will grow the most nutrient dense, healthiest food ever.

Learn more about Koolau Farmers at:

The Fukuda seed store's web site at
They are not super tech savvy. So contact them directly by calling
[phone].
They take orders over the phone.

[DivaGlamSquad]

Hi John thank you so much for all your hard work. I've been watching your videos for quite a while now. You have taught me and inspired me so much over the years. I moved to Hawaii a little over 2 years ago currently on Oahu but I also bought a little land on Big Island which I can't wait to get to! In the mean time I've taken the space I have and am doing resided beds mainly wit some fruit trees are in ground. It's really beginning to become something! I even have passer bus stopping to talk to me and ask me questions. I'm growing a wide variety much of which I learned about from you! Thanks so much for everything

[marinadelocean]

I just moved to Hawaii and could not have found a better video on this subject. Thank you for this wonderful video!

[Praxxus]

I'm waiting for the day when you're filming in a garden center and some random customer thinks you work there and asks you for help. Talk about hitting the freaking jackpot. :)

[dizzydiver]

Thank you so much. I moved to Oahu from the main land and was frustrated with the nurseries here. They are all excellent with ornamental shrubs and fruit trees but lacking when it comes to veggie info. I have noticed that the few places that sell "local" seeds are gems. Some of the older locals are great as well.

[bluedazz]

I love when you say "This is one of my favorites."    Have you posted a video on collecting seeds from your garden?  or  How to get seeds from your favorite plant in the garden.  I enjoy your videos and have leaned alot from watching.

[CMNakagawa]

Thanks again John.  So glad you are in Hawaii...we learn more about the local gardening resources from you...and we live here, how's that!  Mahalo!

[taehinickle]

Mahalo, John. I live on Oahu and this video was made just for me :) I'll be visiting Fukuda very soon.

[egopat]

I don't know who i like best, you or your video. Thanks for sharing and God bless you

[gmtrabant]

Great video, John.  I live in Florida and figure that most of what grows well in Hawaii should fair well in Florida.  I wrote down just about every seed you discussed and 'am waiting for my catalog.  Thanks for sharing all your knowledge.

[sequentialkady]

Thanks John! You posted this awesome video on my birthday and it was a topic I was really hoping you'd cover.  (I'm also glad to see that I'm not crazy for trying to grow things in the Las Vegas heat.)

[travisrhaley]

This stirs up my inner seed hoarder.. 

[sUnnydUcks]

Thank you I just decided to start gardening here and this is so incredibly helpful. Sadly many of my plants have bolted since I started. Now know which ones to plant next. Thanks for your hard work John!

[Andrew_P]

John, I'm growing Red Russian Kale as well as the green curly variety. The Red Russian Kale is twice the size of the green and planted at the same time. I'm super excited.

[woopthereitis]

i have both the green and purple okinawa spinach. when i bought them they were only 3 inch plants and now they are monsters around 4 feet across im in southern california.

[chefmon]

Wow, I would have been like a kid in a candy store at the seed shop.

[sabrinafojo]

God I would love to live in Bora Bora and plant all these veggies and fruits. Surely an inspiration dreamy effect, this video has caused me. Wish I was in a Tropical Island.

[justgivemethetruth]

I love Japanese Cucumbers.  First time I got one and grew it, it was so funny looking, curved and spiny that I almost threw it away.  But then I tried it out and it was wonderful, sweet and crunchy and the best cucumbers I have ever had.  Now I don't plant anything else, Japanese Cucumbers are the best!  Japanese Eggplants are good too.

[olov]

that seed store is so awesome, i wish i could find one like that

also, i'd love to grow some of those hot weather greens, would be awesome if we could get a "john seed kit" with his favorites

[mbot]

Learned a ton on this video. Thank you John.

[maximilian]

Komatsuna is a variety of Japanese mustard that grows well in most climates, year round. Has anyone else grown it? Mine is still young, but doing well in California so far.