Teo Spengler
Raised in Alaska, where the sun never rises in the winter and the trees are stunted by permafrost, Teo Spengler fell in love with plants when she moved to California for college. Gardening became more of a passion than a passtime, as she studied horticulture and took master gardening courses. Spengler completed an intensive sixteen-week program to qualify as a docent at the San Francisco Botanical Garden and has given public tours there for some years. (She has also earned a BA in politics, an MA in English, an MFA in creative writing, and a JD from Berkeley Law School). She has written about nature, trees, plants, and gardening for 20 years for a variety of websites including Gardening Know How, Hunker, Home Guides, San Francisco Chronicle and Gardening Guides as well as publishing two novels. Spengler currently splits her life between San Francisco and the French Basque Country where she has practiced her skills in both personal and public gardens for the past two decades. Her extended family includes some 30 houseplants and hundreds of outdoor plants, including 250 trees - mostly oaks, birches and beeches - that she planted on her land in France.
Latest articles by Teo Spengler
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7 Invasive Trees You Should Never Plant In Your Yard Or Garden
What are some invasive trees you should never plant in your yard? Click here to find out.
By Teo Spengler
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7 Front Yard Landscaping Ideas To Totally Transform Your Outdoor Space
First impressions count! Learn about some front yard landscaping ideas to create a lasting impression in front of your home.
By Teo Spengler
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Backyard Landscaping Ideas On A Budget – 6 Ways To Transform Your Yard For Cheap
If you need backyard landscaping ideas on a budget, there’s a plethora of great ideas that won’t break the bank.
By Teo Spengler
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Azalea Cuttings For an Infinite Number of Plants
Taking azalea cuttings to grow new azalea bushes is so easy. Fill your garden with new plants from your favorite azalea at no cost!
By Teo Spengler
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Support California Dogface Butterfly: Do More For Zerene Eurydice
Would you like to know how to support California’s state insect? We explain the vital pollinating role of the California dogface butterfly and how to help it in your backyard
By Teo Spengler
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Fertilizing Citrus Trees - Best Practices For Citrus Fertilizing
Your fruit trees are heavy feeders. They appreciate the proper types and amounts of citrus fertilizer for optimal health.
By Heather Rhoades
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Boost Your Wildlife Gardening Credentials With 8 Eco-Friendly Certifications
Be an Earth champion and check out some eco-friendly certifications for your yard, garden or property.
By Teo Spengler
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Turn Your Yard Into A Wildlife Habitat: 10 Easy Ways To Make A Wildlife Sanctuary
You may be dreaming about ways to turn your yard into a wildlife habitat. We say, follow your dreams!
By Teo Spengler
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How To Fertilize Peonies For Better Blooms
Newly planted peonies benefit from balanced fertilizer applications. Once established, fertilize peonies every three years or so.
By Teo Spengler
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Help Your No-Dig Garden Succeed: Our Guide To No-Dig Gardening
Our guide to no-dig gardening explains a movement whose time has come. Learn no-till gardening methods to enrich and balance the health of your soil.
By Teo Spengler
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Indoor Eucalyptus Plants: Complete Care And Growing Guide
Imagine an indoor eucalyptus plant as fragrant and pretty as tall eucalyptus trees, but small enough to grace your interior.
By Teo Spengler
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How To Identify Poison Ivy To Prevent A Painful Rash – Plus, Common Lookalike Plants
One mistake you don’t want to make is not knowing what poison ivy and oak look like. Learn about the differences in some poisonous plants to avoid.
By Caroline Bloomfield
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Japanese Aralia Care: How To Grow Fatsia Japonica
The large, showy, tropical leaves may imply that Japanese aralia care is a challenge, but given the right environment, it’s a show-stopper and easy to grow.
By Jackie Carroll
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Small Palm Trees For Even The Tiniest Yards And Gardens
Small palm trees add beauty and drama to small space gardens, giving them a tropical ambiance. Learn how to choose the best mini palm trees.
By Liz Baessler
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How To Use Less Plastic: 5 Ways To Go Greener In Your Garden
Data on how our overuse of plastic is harming the planet may leave you wondering how to use less plastic. Here are ideas for reduced plastic use in the garden.
By Teo Spengler
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Want a Backyard Mini Orchard? Create Your Own Container Orchard
Easier to care for in small spaces, a backyard mini-orchard makes sense for busy gardeners and juicy fruit is the reward.
By Teo Spengler
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Give Compost A Pick Me Up: How To Use Coffee Grounds On Plants In The Garden
Coffee is not just a mood booster for people – it can also give your garden a helping hand if applied correctly. We show you how to add coffee grounds on plants so they flourish
By Teo Spengler
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Grow a Bathroom Oasis: 8 Best Bathroom Plants With No Light or Low Light
Some apartment dwellers grow the best bathroom plants with no light or low light. Read how one of our favorite plant lovers does it in the big city.
By Teo Spengler