By Sharon Reeves (This article was originally in the June 14, 2025 issue of the San Diego Union/Tribune) Plants are anchored in one spot, but they are cunning. They have mastered the art of enticing more mobile organisms to do their bidding. It is the goal of every living thing to procreate and to […]
The Importance of Insects in Our Gardens By Valorie Shatynski November 2023 Most of us enjoy the sight of a butterfly flitting and lilting from blossom to blossom in our garden, but what about those less glamorous insects and other garden critters? Why should we not only tolerate spiders, pill bugs, aphids, bees or […]
By Joe Boldt (This article originally appeared in the March/April edition of California Garden) Once, on my way to Canada, I had the good fortune to be driving my convertible along a country road in South Dakota. On either side of the road were Sunflowers. As far as my eyes could see, miles and miles […]
BY SHARON REEVE It is always a relief for me when the cooler temperatures of fall bring the promise of rain. Fall is also the season when some plants really shine with peak bloom. Fall bloomers, like most plants, should be planted now. The ground has some needed moisture and the temperatures are cooler, yet […]
Question: I saw a large green caterpillar feeding on my green tomato leaves. Could it also be chewing on the fruit? Answer: Yes, the caterpillar on your plant is probably the tomato hornworm. It is a common pest in gardens. Tomato hornworms are well camouflaged among the leaves of their host plants. The body […]
