
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 pastime, 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, following a long career as an attorney and legal writer. 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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I've Been Writing About Trees for 20 Years, These Are the 5 Native Species I Recommend Everyone Plant in Their Own YardAfter decades of reading, writing about, and planting hundreds of trees, these are the species I absolutely adore. Here's why they deserve a spot in your yard.
By Teo Spengler
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Proper Bougainvillea Care in Winter Is the Key to Stunning Blooms Next Summer – Here's How to Do It RightKeep these stunning tropical vines blooming year after year, no matter where you live! Just follow this simple guide to bougainvillea care in winter.
By Teo Spengler
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8 Vegetables You Can Plant in December – No Greenhouse RequiredBeat the winter gardening blues by planting vegetables in December! If the soil's not frozen, you can enjoy root crops and leafy greens all season long.
By Teo Spengler
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How to Create Winter-Proof Window Boxes That Shine All Season Long – Zero Maintenance Required!These window box ideas are bursting with winter beauty – and there's so easy to copy! Here's how to create your own boxes that will add sparkle all winter long.
By Teo Spengler
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I Thought Plants Didn’t Need Winter Watering, But It Turns Out These 3 Types Actually Do – Now They’ve Never Looked BetterThink your plants don't need water in winter? Think again! Here are the three types of plants that need year-round irrigation to thrive.
By Teo Spengler
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Want the Prettiest Holiday Pots on the Block? This Pro Trick for Gorgeous Christmas Planters Needs Just 3 Easy ElementsForget throwing random greens into a pot this holiday season. The thriller filler spiller method is the foolproof recipe you need! Discover which common holiday elements play the starring roles for sophisticated Christmas planters
By Teo Spengler
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Hide an Ugly Fence & Add Privacy With These 7 Stunning Trees That Are Perfect for Fence LinesBeautify your borders with these trees for fence lines! These expert picks add privacy and quickly hide an unattractive fence you'd prefer not to see.
By Teo Spengler
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It’s Cold Outside, but These 4 Plants Still Need Pruning in December – Plus the Ones You Should Leave Until SpringSome plants benefit from a winter trim – others can be ruined by it. Here are the four you should prune in December, plus the ones to avoid until spring.
By Teo Spengler
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Golf Course Secret: Why Experts Are Applying Sand to Grass NowSand may be the secret ingredient your lawn is missing. Make sure you use the right kind of sand at the right time, though, or you could be in for trouble.
By Teo Spengler
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11 Trees and Shrubs With Red Berries for a Bright and Cheery Winter LandscapeAdd a pop of festive color to the dreary winter landscape with one of these trees and bushes with red berries. They provide instant cheer that lasts all season.
By Mary Ellen Ellis
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Best Herbs and Salad Greens to Grow Indoors Over Winter – For Fresh Flavor Through the Coldest MonthsDon't give up on growing fresh produce during the winter. Bring the flavors inside! Check out these 10 best herbs and greens to grow indoors this winter.
By Teo Spengler
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Forget Your Weather App: These 5 Plants Are a More Reliable Way to Predict Rain, Plus 4 Folkloric PredictorsPlants are tuned into subtle shifts in the climate. Pay close attention to them and they'll tell you if rain is coming or if a swing in temp is on the way.
By Teo Spengler
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Stop Hoses From Cracking in the Cold! Here's What You Need to Do Now to Protect Them This WinterProtect hoses from cracking due to winter cold. Just follow these simple tips for a hose that will last for years to come.
By Teo Spengler
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Got a Narrow Front Yard? These 5 Compact Shrubs Give Color & Curb Appeal in Every Season – And Add to Your Property ValueThere are beautiful compact shrub options for year-round appeal that will fit narrow yards and small gardens. Pick a few and see them shine!
By Teo Spengler
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Hate Pruning? Plant These 8 Low-Maintenance Hedges for No-Fuss Borders That Look Great Year-RoundA beautiful hedge shouldn't take constant effort. Discover eight reliable shrub varieties that offer year-round appeal with minimal tending.
By Teo Spengler
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How to Care for Hydrangeas in Winter So They're Bursting With Beautiful Blooms Next SummerHow you care for hydrangeas in winter can determine whether your shrubs are bursting with blooms next summer or not. Here's how to protect them from the cold.
By Mary Ellen Ellis
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Soil Not Deep Enough? These Shallow-Rooted Plants Can Thrive With Barely Any DirtThink you can't grow a garden because you barely have any soil? Think again! These shallow-rooted plants are perfect for landscapes that lack soil depth.
By Teo Spengler
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What Weeds Are Really Trying to Tell You About Your Soil – How These 11 Wild Garden Guests Can Help You Assess and Improve Your YardThey might seem like a nuisance, but don't underestimate the importance of weeds as a soil indicator. Here’s what 11 common garden weeds can tell you about your soil – and what to do next
By Teo Spengler

