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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Western Birds: Common Birds Of California & Nevada
Whether in your garden or the wild, bird watching in California and Nevada can be exciting and fascinating. Learn which ones to watch for.
By Teo Spengler
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Turn Off The Lights! How To Stop Firefly Population Decline
Learn more about firefly decline and how you can help them survive by turning off lights at night and avoiding chemical pesticides.
By Teo Spengler
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Teak Tree Facts: Information About Teak Tree Uses And More
Teak is mostly known for its wood, but the trees can look great in a landscape too. Click here for more about teak care.
By Teo Spengler
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American Persimmon Tree Facts – Tips On Growing American Persimmons
American persimmons aren't as popular as their Asian cousins, but many people think they're tastier. Click for more.
By Teo Spengler
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Fast Growing Evergreen Shrubs – Best Evergreen Shrubs For Privacy
Looking to shield your garden from prying eyes? You'll want shrubs that grow in thick and grow in fast. Click here for more.
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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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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Natives That Are Great Bradford Pear Tree Alternatives
Now banned in Ohio and other states, read how to replace Bradford pear trees with a variety of other flowering trees.
By Teo Spengler
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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