Author Archives: Kathy Ikeda

Crisp cool air and shorter daylight hours are harbingers of one of Nature’s most spectacular gifts: leaves in all their autumn glory. Fall is a welcome time of transition, when hot temperatures subside and foliage slowly transitions from the vibrant greens of summer to hues such as yellow, gold, orange, red, burgundy, and purple. Although [...]

Some people have a magical touch and homes overflowing with thriving greenery; others just can’t seem to keep an indoor plant alive. Even if you’re cursed with a “black thumb,” there’s still hope. Houseplants are incredibly diverse, and although some come from climate zones like ours, most popular species are native to warm, humid, tropical [...]

This coming Sunday, September 4 is National Wildlife Day. While this name might conjure up images of animals living in pristine natural areas and parks far from home, wildlife can (and should) be an important component of our gardens. The San Joaquin Valley used to support vast herds of tule elk, sky-darkening flocks of migratory [...]

For many people, pollen is the “p-word”. . . as in, “PLEASE, don’t say that word!” The mere mention of pollen can conjure up runny noses, watery and itchy eyes, and looks of desperation from those with hay fever. Here in the fertile, crop-rich San Joaquin Valley, it’s often said that if you don’t already [...]

Let’s take some time to learn more about one of our much-adored garden inhabitants: the lady beetle or ladybird beetle, commonly referred to as the ladybug. The name “lady beetle” originated during the Middle Ages, when Catholic farmers prayed for relief from crop-destroying insects. When small beetles arrived and began devouring the pests, it was [...]

Scorching days have arrived! All but the hardiest of us wilt when outdoor temperatures hit the 90s and 100s, and we seek refuge in air-conditioned places or in water-cooled outdoor areas. Plants don’t have that luxury; they’re literally rooted where they are, and they sometimes need our help to deal with the Central Valley sunlight [...]

With our spring temperatures already rising at times into the mid- to high-80s, this summer promises to be another hot one. Even the hardiest gardeners try to escape the worst of our midday Central Valley summer heat and the punishing sun. Yet while we might wilt, some plants keep plugging along and even thrive under [...]

This is the time of year when gardens burst into full glory, with plenty of fresh spring growth, gorgeous blooms, and wonderful scents! (My enthusiastic note is tempered with a sympathetic nod to allergy sufferers, for whom this beautiful time of year can also be the most miserable.) The show this season is even lovelier [...]

Change is hard. Grass is a familiar and fairly standard planting in California landscapes, and accepting something other than a front yard lawn can be difficult for many people, for many reasons. Many homeowners’ associations (HOAs) have outdated and restrictive bylaws that mandate a certain percentage of lawn in front yards. Until recently, homeowners bound [...]

Spring is almost here, accompanied by the nearly irresistible urge to plant! Browsing nurseries for plants is an exciting annual rite of passage for every garden lover, and who can resist an impulse buy here or there? But spur-of-the-moment tree selection is one mistake that should be avoided at all costs. The best advice to [...]