Checking Your Trees After an Earthquake: Tilting, Root Damage, and Why Not to Rush the Chainsaw
Earthquakes loosen the bond between roots and soil. How to inspect garden trees after a quake — tilt, arc-shaped cracks at the base, hanging branches
English
English versions of EKAM blog articles
Soil Liquefaction Explained: Warning Signs on Your Property and the Drainage Connection
Why does soil liquefaction happen during earthquakes? Learn the mechanism, the warning signs that appear in yards and gardens — sand boils, floating m
Post-Earthquake Property Inspection: How to Check Your Land, Retaining Walls and Slopes Safely
After the 2026 Kumamoto earthquake, learn how to safely inspect your property, retaining walls and slopes. Signs of liquefaction, landslide warnings,
Why Ishibadate Houses Stay Cool in Summer: The Breathing Underfloor of Japan’s Stone-Foundation Construction
Ishibadate keeps homes cool and dry through humid summers. See how a raised floor and underfloor ventilation move moisture out of the ground, and why
Weed-Resistant Garden: Why Some Yards Stop Weeds and Yours Doesn’t
A weed-resistant garden is decided by the soil, not by how often you pull. Learn why bare ground and compaction invite weeds and how to fix it at the
Why Trees Die in Summer: Root Suffocation and Overwatering, Not Drought
Summer tree dieback is usually caused by overwatering and compacted soil suffocating the roots, not drought. Learn to diagnose it and water correctly.
Cool Down a Hot Garden: Ground Cover and Tree Canopy Shade That Beat Radiant Heat
A hot garden isn't fixed by sprinkling water. Learn how bare soil, concrete, and gravel store heat, and how ground cover, tree canopy shade, and water
Retaining Wall Typhoon Prep: Warning Signs to Check on Slopes and Weep Holes Before Heavy Rain
Retaining wall typhoon prep before the storm: the warning signs of slope and wall failure, why blocked drainage causes collapse, and when to call a pr
Muddy Garden Fixes: Stop Topsoil Erosion and Improve Drainage After Heavy Rain
Muddy garden fixes through soil physics: why heavy rain washes away topsoil, plus a step-by-step plan for mulch, ground cover, and swales to fix drain
Garden Puddle Causes: Diagnose Standing Water by Where It Forms
Garden puddle causes can be read from where water forms. Diagnose standing water at foundations, paths, low spots, and beds, then fix it with soakaway