Voracious insect-eaters are also important pollinators By Michael Harrelson (This article originally appeared in the October 17, 2024 edition of the San Diego Union-Tribune) In many cultures, extending back millennia, bats have been associated with the devil, witchcraft and evil-doers. Their nocturnal activities have spurned countless myths about malevolent behavior: Ancient Judaic texts referred to […]
by Robin Y Rivet Question: I’d really like to plant a red maple, but I couldn’t find any locally. I’d also like to plant a unique fruit tree. What species would grow best in this region? Answer: Unfortunately, red maples need more cold weather (often called chill hours) than typical San Diego winters provide, but […]
Beloved symbol of Southern California lifestyle also needs a plan for care and maintenance By Susan Baird (This article originally appeared in the July 13 edition of the San Diego Union-Tribune) It is estimated that there are over 2,500 species of palms, yet only one is native to California — Washingtonia filifera, or the California fan […]
By Leah Taylor The South American Palm Weevil (SAPW)(Rhynchophorus palmarum) continues to pester the Golden State and is posing a significant threat to California’s iconic palm tree population. Native to tropical regions of South and Central America, the SAPW has a particular affinity for palm species including the majestic Canary Islands date palm and edible […]
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 […]
