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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Picking The Best Fertilizer For Fruit Trees
All fruit trees need fertilizer, but how much and what kind can seriously vary. Make sure you're doing it right.
By Teo Spengler
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How To Grow Cherry Trees From Seed – Grow Your Own Orchard From Seed
Planting cherry pits and growing trees isn't just a dream - it's totally doable, and fun! Click here for everything you need to know.
By Amy Grant
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The Best Moisture-Loving Plants For Wet Areas
There are many plants and trees that actually love soggy soil and wet feet. Here’s a comprehensive list of them.
By Mary H. Dyer
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Dracaena Care: How To Grow A Dracaena As A Houseplant
Caring for a dracaena as an indoor plant is easy when the temperatures aren’t too cold and the light isn’t too direct. We'll teach you how.
By Becca Badgett
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Lovely, Low-Maintenance Hillside Landscaping Ideas
Eroding hillsides can present a problem. Here are great ideas and tips on how to keep them in place easily.
By Teo Spengler
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Spider Plant Care: Gardening Tips For Spider Plants
Spider plants are low-maintenance and beautiful, and they frequently shoot out baby versions of themselves called "spiderettes." Try growing one now.
By Teo Spengler
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4 Common Shrub Mistakes To Avoid
What are some of the most common shrub landscaping mistakes a gardener can make and how can you avoid them? Click here for our top 4.
By Teo Spengler
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Feng Shui Garden Ideas For A Serene Outdoor Space
Learn how to create some Feng Shui energy in your garden landscape for peace, relaxation and positive energy.
By Teo Spengler
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Fragrant Sumac Care And Growing Tips
Low-growing fragrant sumac makes a lovely native addition to the home garden. Learn all about growing it here.
By Teo Spengler
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Best Potted Plants For California And Nevada
Container gardening in the west is a dream, a great way to grow vegetables, flowers, succulents and even fruit trees. Click for more.
By Teo Spengler
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Best Time To Water Plants - When Should I Water My Vegetable Garden?
When should you water your vegetable garden? It's a hot topic. Click here to learn all about it.
By Heather Rhoades
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Best Plants For Late Summer and Fall Fruit Harvest
Even if you don’t have the optimal conditions for more common fruit trees, there are other end of summer fruits to enjoy.
By Teo Spengler
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Soil Nutrients: Everything You Need To Know
Soil nutrients are absorbed by plants. Learn what nutrients are in soil and why they’re important in your garden.
By Teo Spengler
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Best Hydrangeas For Shade Gardens
Do hydrangeas need full sun? What are the best hydrangeas for shade? Click here to find the answers.
By Teo Spengler
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Soil Conservation Guide – Everything You Need To Know
Soil is the lifeblood of our planet and we need to keep it healthy and fertile. Learn more about soil conservation.
By Teo Spengler
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What Are English Morello Cherries?
Morello cherries are sour cherries, ideal for cooking, jams and even making liquors. Click on the following article for more information about English Morello sour cherries, including tips on growing these cherry trees.
By Teo Spengler
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Cherry Tree Care - How To Grow Cherry Trees
Thinking about planting a cherry tree? Whether you're growing them for their fruit or blossoms, we can help. Click here to learn more.
By Gardening Know How
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Subsurface Drip Irrigation – The Most Sustainable Way To Water
Is it possible to use subsurface drip irrigation for water-thirsty lawns? It's definitely more sustainable than sprinklers. Click for more.
By Teo Spengler