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
-
Asparagus Fern: Complete Plant Care And Growing Guide
By Becca Badgett
-
Spruce Pruning Essentials: Best Clipping Care for Healthy Spruce Trees
For the most part, spruce pruning is not necessary, but it’s good to know how and when to remove damaged branches or control their size.
By Teo Spengler
-
Lemon Tree Problems? Five Common Lemon Tree Diseases To Avoid
Growing citrus trees like lemons can be a delightful way to cultivate years of homegrown fruits – if you protect against key lemon tree diseases. We reveal the key problems to avoid
By Teo Spengler
-
Meyer Lemon Tree: Complete Care And Growing Guide
Growing a Meyer lemon tree can be a heady experience for a gardener. It’s a pleasure to pluck a beautiful tart lemon from a tree that you’ve grown and nurtured in the garden or a container.
By Teo Spengler
-
Magnolia Tree Pruning Guide: What You Need To Know
If you are lucky enough to own one, you may wonder how to trim a magnolia tree to maintain its shape. These graceful beauties are somewhat self-sufficient when it comes to developing a shape, so know what you’re doing before pruning a magnolia tree.
By Susan Patterson
-
Support Your Area's Pollinators By Using Keystone Plants
An understanding of keystone plants is not just a great way to make sure your garden is as enticing as possible to pollinators – it’s critical for the future of key species. We show you how to raise your eco-awareness
By Teo Spengler
-
How To Use A Moss Pole On Your Monstera Plant
A moss pole monstera is simply a Swiss cheese plant whose roots grow and attach to a moss-covered pole. Does this impressive plant need one of these? Yes! It’s an epiphyte that gets its nourishment from the surrounding air and water.
By Bonnie L. Grant
-
Norfolk Island Pine Problems: Tackle Norfolk Island Pests & Diseases
While Norfolk pine can be a dream to grow both outdoors and inside, it is prone to pests and diseases. We outline the best ways to tackle (and prevent) key Norfolk Island pine problems
By Teo Spengler
-
What Causes Brown Edges Or Brown Tips On Leaves?
When you see brown tips on plants and leaves, it’s time to investigate. Of all the possible reasons for brown tips on leaves, one of them will probably become obvious. Put on your Sherlock Holmes hat.
By Heather Rhoades
-
Lemon Tree Care: How To Grow A Lemon Tree
Once you know how to grow a lemon tree you’ll never want to be without one. In the home garden or in a pot, lemon trees are one of life’s delights.
By Nikki Tilley
-
Do Indoor Plants Improve Air Quality? What The Scientists Say
We’ve heard about snake plant oxygen and indoor plants that improve air quality. They may help some, but there’s more to know about the studies.
By Teo Spengler
-
Seed Soaking: Tips For Soaking Seeds Before Planting
Soaking seeds before planting is the best way to germinate certain types of seeds, but not necessarily others. Knowing the basics will help.
By Heather Rhoades
-
WHAT IS ROOTSTOCK? HOW AND WHY TO USE ROOTSTOCK
It’s fascinating how rootstock for grafting results in stronger trees that bear better fruit. You may not be a professional grower, but knowing how this works will make you a better-informed consumer.
By Teo Spengler
-
How To Correct Nitrogen Deficiency in Soil
If your soil test shows a deficiency, you may need to add extra nitrogen for plants. Correct levels of nitrogen are crucial for healthy plants and successful gardening.
By Teo Spengler
-
Lilac Pruning Guide: How To Prune A Lilac Bush
Lilac pruning is rewarding because pruning lilac bushes means their fragrant flowers will thrive and flourish the next year. Learn how to prune lilacs to either maintain them or to tame them.
By Nikki Tilley
-
Peace Lily With Brown Tips: Common Causes & How To Fix Them
A common complaint about peace lily tips turning brown is an easy fix if you know what’s causing it. Make it happy by adjusting your care.
By Teo Spengler
-
Lemon Cypress: Complete Plant Care And Growing Guide
The easy-growing Lemon Cypress tree offers a bright splash of color, a lovely fragrance and an interesting accent in any garden or yard.
By Teo Spengler
-
Bigleaf Maple Habitat And Growing Conditions
Do you have lots of space to fill? Try growing this king of the maple trees.
By Teo Spengler