School
San Francisco State University
Expertise
Houseplants, Gardening, Upcycling
- As an avid plant mom, Melody is often found propagating her houseplants, obsessing over new growth, and strolling through nurseries.
- She is fascinated by the synergy of nature and how relationships between plants impact the way we garden.
- She geeks out over how household items can be used for DIY garden and plant hacks.
Experience
Melody's philosophy about writing can be summed up by a quote from English writer John Ruskin: "When love and skill work together, expect a masterpiece." Over her career of nearly 25 years, Melody has written and edited articles in her many areas of interest, including houseplants, gardening, parenting, arts and culture, racial justice, and more. Her favorite aspect of writing articles is the opportunity to conduct interviews, glean stories, and share the heart of these stories with others. In addition to being a freelance writer/editor, Melody is a writer and copy chief for Mochi Magazine, an online publication committed to amplifying the voices and perspectives of Asian Americans.
Education
Melody has a bachelor's degree in journalism from San Francisco State University.
Garden Guides uses a knowledgeable team of editors, writers, and experts to create all our content. We dive deep into the ever-evolving conversations surrounding gardening and landscaping, striving to deliver the most current and helpful tips, strengthened by expert insight and tutorials from our talented team.
As we cover many fields of expertise, we make it a priority to ensure every beat remains fresh and comprehensive. Additional information on our editorial process available here.
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You won't need to look far for a gorgeous, pollinator-friendly perennial that can attract bees, butterflies, and birds to your garden with this striking flower.
By Melody Ip
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DIY Projects
By Melody Ip
A chain-link fence is beloved for its utility and lower cost. Appearance? Not so much. But you can make your fencing look great with these 8 easy DIY upgrades.
By Melody Ip
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While ants may not directly hurt the plants in your garden, no gardener likes to be swarmed while they work. There's a cheap way to deter the pesky insects.
By Melody Ip
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The maple tree in your front yard doesn't have to take over the entire area. There's a gorgeous cultivar of Japanese red maple that's great for small spaces.
By Melody Ip
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Indoor Plants
By Melody Ip
Few houseplants are as aesthetic and easy to propagate as the vining plants. Add this bobby pin trick to your arsenal to turn your home into an indoor jungle.
By Melody Ip
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DIY Projects
By Melody Ip
Wind chimes come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, and they make charming additions to the garden. Plus, there are many ways to recycle old keys to do it.
By Melody Ip
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Garden Design
By Melody Ip
The relaxing sway of island palm trees can be all yours, even in colder states, if you pick the right variety. This little tree is easy to accommodate.
By Melody Ip
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Weed Control
By Melody Ip
Staying on top of your weeding may feel like just one more chore for the day that can be ignored, but it can make a difference. Even more so when it is free!
By Melody Ip
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DIY Projects
By Melody Ip
Feeling a twinge of guilt for throwing out your plastic milk jug again? You can rescue at least one or two with this easy repurposing hack for the garden.
By Melody Ip
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If you love hummingbirds and want to attract them to your garden, you may want to go beyond sugar water and nectar plants. Give them a healthy treat to enjoy.
By Melody Ip
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Self-seeding pollinator plants are the way to get an endless supply of beauty and nectar. Let these two self-seeding flowers do their thing in your garden.
By Melody Ip
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Indoor Plants
By Melody Ip
Smooth and sharp, bold and unassuming, the snake plant is full of contradictions. The biggest is that they are easy to take care of with one big exception.
By Melody Ip
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There isn't much that is less appealing than caring for the lawn in the heat. But with a good strategy, you can keep your lawn and yourself happy all summer.
By Melody Ip
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Garden Design
By Melody Ip
When planning out a colorful flower garden design, geraniums are a popular choice. They work as companions to a variety of flowers, both annuals and perennials.
By Melody Ip
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DIY Projects
By Melody Ip
Put those teacups to good use with a few gardening DIYs to repurpose any unused china. The hacks can make your plants healthier and happier while looking posh.
By Melody Ip
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Nothing says spring like hanging baskets teeming with trailing plants and bright blooms. But if you struggle to keep up with watering, consider this plant.
By Melody Ip
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DIY Projects
By Melody Ip
Feeding the birds is as enjoyable for you as it is helpful for them. If you want to give your birds a little treat while trying something new, try this hack.
By Melody Ip
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DIY Projects
By Melody Ip
Your favorite breath mint could be a handy garden tool if you know how to upcycle the old containers. Give your plants a boost with these green DIYs.
By Melody Ip
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Those bouncy white blooms of the 'Annabelle' hydrangea are a sight for sore eyes. If you're worried about proper pruning technique, here's how to do it right.
By Melody Ip
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Dogwood trees can bring stunning white or pink colors to your yard. Maximize their blooms by picking the correct season (and method) to prune back the branches.
By Melody Ip
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Indoor Plants
By Melody Ip
Like friendship itself, this indoor plant is fun to grow and share. Once you know their needs and problems, you'll have the perfect gift for your friends.
By Melody Ip
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DIY Projects
By Melody Ip
Get creative with your garden decor by DIYing your own garden pavers using old plates you can find at the thrift store, turning them into tile mosaics.
By Melody Ip
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DIY Projects
By Melody Ip
Ironing boards are great for storing your gardening gear, using as a potting station, and more. Here's how to DIY a perfect ironing board garden workstation.
By Melody Ip
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DIY Projects
By Melody Ip
Whether you're changing out your bedding or it's just that time, you don't have to throw away your pillowcase. Instead, you can flip it to use in your garden.
By Melody Ip
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Tomatoes are among the most popular produce for gardeners to grow at home. But if you spot yellowing leaves on your plants, take these steps to fix the problem.
By Melody Ip
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DIY Projects
By Melody Ip
Gardening is enjoyable ... until you're overrun with mosquitoes biting at you. One possible solution to deter them? A chemical-free spray that you can DIY.
By Melody Ip
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DIY Projects
By Melody Ip
Listen, we know you kept those plastic nursery pots just in case they would be useful later. Well, it turns out that they can be put to clever use after all!
By Melody Ip
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