Disclaimer

1. General

The content on this website is published in good faith and for general information. We put real care into it, and it reflects how we actually work — but every garden is different, and information that is right for one site can be wrong for the one next door.

Nothing here constitutes professional advice about your specific plant, tree, soil or site. Advice specific to you begins when we have inspected it, or when you have engaged us for a consultation.

Your use of this site and any action you take based on it is at your own risk.

2. Horticultural guidance

• Guidance is written for coastal Oita Prefecture — roughly a USDA zone 9b equivalent — with humid summers, a distinct rainy season and mild winters. It may not transfer to other climates.
• Inland areas such as Yufu run cooler; adjust spring timings later and autumn timings earlier.
• Plant performance depends on soil, aspect, drainage, exposure, microclimate and management. We cannot guarantee a result at your site.
• Yields, growth rates and time-to-fruit figures are typical ranges from our own growing, not promises.
• Where a plant is valuable, mature, structurally significant, or has sentimental value, get it looked at in person rather than relying on a web page.

3. The Plant Doctor tool

The Plant Doctor is a symptom-filtering aid. It is not a diagnosis.

• It has not seen your plant. It matches the symptoms you select against a curated list of common regional problems.
• Many plant problems present identically. Nutrient deficiency, root damage, over-watering and early vascular disease can all look like the same yellowing leaf.
• Multiple problems frequently occur at once — pests often follow stress rather than cause it.
• The list is not exhaustive. Rarer pests, diseases and disorders exist that the tool does not cover.
• A confident-looking result is still only a shortlist of possibilities to investigate.

4. Pesticides & chemicals

This is the section we most want you to read.

• Active ingredients named on this site are listed for identification purposes only. We are not recommending that you purchase or apply any specific product.
• Registration and legal approval vary by country and change over time. A product legal in one jurisdiction may be restricted or banned in another. Confirm current approval in Japan for your specific crop before buying anything.
• The label is the law. Where anything on this site differs from the product label, follow the label. Application rates, protective equipment, re-entry periods and pre-harvest intervals on the label are legally binding.
• Some products may only be applied by a licensed operator. Check before you buy.
• Misapplication can harm people, pets, pollinators, waterways, neighbouring crops and the plant you were trying to save.
• We accept no liability for loss, injury, environmental harm or legal consequence arising from your purchase or application of any product referenced on this site.

If chemical treatment is genuinely warranted and you would rather it were done properly, engage us or another qualified operator to do it.

5. Boosters & fertilisers

• Rates given for boosters are general starting points. Always dilute according to the specific product's own instructions — concentrations differ substantially between brands.
• Over-application can burn roots and foliage, and excess nutrient runs off into waterways.
• Nutrient recommendations mean much more when they follow a soil test. Feeding without testing is guesswork, and usually expensive guesswork.
• Do not feed a plant that is collapsing. Fix the underlying cause first.
• Product names are illustrative of a category, not endorsements of a particular brand.

6. Trending product listings

• Our "trending 2026" tool listings are compiled from publicly reported best-seller data, editorial round-ups and our own experience of what performs in this climate.
• "Trending" reflects general market interest. It does not mean an item is right for your garden — a 16-litre backpack sprayer is a genuinely poor purchase for a balcony.
• Specifications are typical for the product category. Specific stocked models and their exact specifications are confirmed on the order call.
• Ratings and review counts shown are indicative of general market reception for the category and are not verified individual customer reviews of our own stock.
• We are not paid to feature any brand, and we do not run affiliate links on this site.

7. Prices & availability

• Prices on this site are indicative and may change without notice. Living plants and materials are particularly subject to seasonal supply variation.
• A binding price arises only when we confirm it on the order call or issue a written quotation.
• Listing an item does not guarantee stock. Seed and sapling availability is seasonal by nature.
• Service prices are starting points for the Beppu and Oita City area and depend on access, site conditions and scope.

8. Sowing calendars

Our sowing calendars reflect what we actually sow at the garden at Uchikamado. Treat them as a strong starting point, not a rule:

• Seasons shift. A warm autumn or a late cold snap moves everything by two or three weeks.
• Microclimate matters enormously — a sheltered south wall can run a fortnight ahead of an exposed plot 200 metres away.
• Variety-specific instructions on your seed packet override our general calendar.
• Under cover, on a heat mat, or in a greenhouse, all timings shift earlier.

9. Safety while gardening

• Gardening involves sharp tools, powered equipment, uneven ground, working at height, heavy lifting and biological hazards. Assess your own capability honestly.
• Do not work at height, near power lines, or with chainsaws or large powered equipment without training and proper equipment. Tree work in particular kills people every year.
• Soil carries tetanus and other organisms. Keep vaccinations current, cover cuts and wash after gardening.
• Heat stroke is a real risk in a Kyushu summer. Work early, hydrate, and stop when you feel unwell.
• Some plants are toxic, and some cause skin reactions. Check before handling or eating anything you cannot positively identify.
• Never eat a plant you have not positively identified. Edibility information on this site relates to the named cultivated varieties we sell, not to lookalikes.
• Keep tools, chemicals and batteries stored securely away from children.

10. Illustrations & imagery

All graphics on this site are original stylised illustrations, not photographs. They represent categories, concepts and typical forms rather than the exact item, plant or garden you will receive. Plants vary naturally in size, form and colour; illustrations should not be relied upon to identify a pest, disease or species.

11. External links

Where we link to another website, we do so because we think it is useful. We do not control those sites, we are not responsible for their content, accuracy, availability or privacy practices, and a link is not an endorsement of everything on the other end of it.

12. Availability of the site

We aim to keep the site available and accurate, but we do not guarantee uninterrupted availability, freedom from errors, or that content is current at every moment. We may change, suspend or withdraw any part of it without notice. We are not liable for loss arising from the site being unavailable.

13. Contact

If you think something on this site is wrong, unclear or unsafe, please tell us — we would rather fix it than defend it.