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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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
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How To Grow A Water-Wise Garden That Still Looks Lush
Growing a water-wise garden does not mean you need to sacrifice beauty. Learn how to plan for plants that need less water.
By Teo Spengler
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5 Drought Resistant Flowering Trees For Water Wise Landscapes
Want beautiful flowering trees that can withstand drought? We've got you covered. Here are our 5 favorites.
By Teo Spengler
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Fertilizer Numbers - What Is NPK
NPK refers to the three macronutrients all plants need: nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Learn all about NPK in fertilizer here.
By Nikki Tilley
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How To Determine Soil Texture By Feel
Here’s a simple guide to get a read on your soil texture using your hands rather than sending for a soil test. It’s easy.
By Teo Spengler
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Information On Caring For Pothos Plants
Pothos plants are great for beginners and collectors alike. Click here to learn everything you need to know about growing your own.
By Heather Rhoades
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Wax Begonia Care - How To Grow Annual Begonias
Annual begonias are a great addition to any shade garden. Click here to learn how to grow them the right way.
By Becca Badgett
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Why Native Trees Are Important And Why You Should Plant Them
Planting native trees on your property can be beneficial, but it’s good to explore which ones to plant and where they belong.
By Teo Spengler
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Too Mulch Of A Good Thing: How Much Mulch Is Too Much?
Too much mulch can be detrimental to your plants and trees. Learn about how to avoid over-mulching.
By Teo Spengler
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How Do Bees See Flowers?
Have you ever wondered how bees see? Click here to find out.
By Teo Spengler
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Growing Redbud Trees: How To Care For A Redbud Tree
Growing redbud trees is a great way to add brilliant color to your landscape. Click here to learn how to care for a redbud tree.
By Susan Patterson
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10 Native Spirea Japonica Bush Alternatives
Japanese spirea is beautiful, but it's invasive in the US. Click here to learn about 10 excellent native alternatives.
By Teo Spengler
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Best Barberry Substitutes – Plant These Natives Instead
Japanese barberry is beautiful, but it also spreads wildly, out-competes native plants, and is hard to get rid of. Click here to learn about safe alternatives.
By Teo Spengler