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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Assessing Fire Damage To Trees: Tips On Repairing Burnt Trees
If your trees have been damaged in a fire, it's important to spring into action. Click to learn how to save burned trees.
By Teo Spengler
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Trees Hit By Lightning: Repairing Lightning Damaged Trees
Trees are the things most commonly struck by lightning. So what do you do when it happens to your tree? Click here to learn more.
By Teo Spengler
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Tips On St. John’s Wort Pruning: When To Cut Back St. John’s Wort
St. John's flowers more prolifically if you prune it once a year. Click here for information about St. John's wort pruning.
By Teo Spengler
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Garden Solar Panels: Tips For Adding Solar Panels To Yards
If you have the space, solar panels in the garden are a great way to provide an alternative power source to the home. Click for more.
By Teo Spengler
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Most Invasive Plants In California And The Western U.S.
Learn how invasive plant species are a threat to ecosystems in the states of California and Nevada.
By Teo Spengler
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Killing Aphids Naturally: How To Get Rid Of Aphids Safely
Getting rid of aphids is no easy task. Click here to learn how to get rid of aphids naturally.
By Heather Rhoades
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Drought Tolerant Plants For California And Nevada Gardens
Learn about native “bulletproof” plants that are your best choices if you live in the hot zones of California and Nevada.
By Teo Spengler
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What Is An ADU And Should You Add One To Your Backyard?
Learn the advantages of having an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) for extra housing on your property.
By Teo Spengler
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Choosing Shade Evergreens: Learn More About Evergreens For Shade
Shade evergreens provide privacy, color, and interest all year long. Read on to learn more about shade evergreen shrubs.
By Heather Rhoades
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How To Trim An Overgrown Magnolia Tree
To find out if and how an overgrown magnolia tree can be pruned, click here.
By Teo Spengler
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Persimmon Tree Care: Learn How To Grow Persimmon Trees
Growing persimmons is a great way to enjoy something different in the garden. Click here to learn how to grow persimmon fruit.
By Susan Patterson
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Carbon Gardening: Gardening To Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
Did you know you can reduce carbon emissions using plants? Click here for information on carbon gardening.
By Teo Spengler
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Epiphyllum Varieties: Types Of Cactus Orchid Plants
Epiphyllum are the gems of the cactus world. Commonly called orchid cactus, they produce absolutely stunning flowers. Click to learn more.
By Bonnie L. Grant
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How Curling Leaves On Rhododendrons Act Like A Thermometer
Rhododendron leaves curling and drooping in winter? Read about thermotropic leaf movements.
By Teo Spengler
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Simple Tips For Transplanting Cedar Trees With Ease
You can transplant a cedar tree. These few tips will help you move your large cedar to a new location. Click for more.
By Teo Spengler
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Wax Myrtle Care: How To Plant Wax Myrtle In Your Garden
Wax myrtle is an excellent addition to almost any landscape. Click here to learn about growing wax myrtle trees and shrubs.
By Becca Badgett
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Grow Bags For Potatoes: Tips For Growing Potatoes In Bags
Grow bags for potatoes are an excellent solution for patio or small space gardeners. Learn more about planting potatoes in bags here.
By Bonnie L. Grant
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11 Types Of Birch Trees: Choosing A Birch Variety For Your Backyard
Slender and graceful, birch trees are admired by many gardeners. If you are wondering about the different varieties of birch trees, read on.
By Teo Spengler
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Common Flowering Quince Diseases And Pests
Flowering quince is a beautiful ornamental shrub with dazzling and unusual blooms. But it can fall prey to problems. Click for more.
By Teo Spengler
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Best California Milkweed Varieties For Monarch Butterflies
Click here to learn what the best milkweed varieties for California are.
By Teo Spengler
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6 Ways To Use Less Water In Your Garden And Lawn
Water conservation is becoming more important. Read our top six tips on how to use water wisely in the garden.
By Teo Spengler
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Are Black Locust Trees Invasive Even Though They’re Native?
Is the black locust tree a stunning ornamental or an extremely invasive undesirable? Read on for the curious answer.
By Teo Spengler