Anawalt Gardening & Tool Tips
Garlic was first cultivated over 5,000 years ago in regions of modern-day Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Ancient trade routes introduced it to the Mediterranean, Africa, and eventually the Americas.
It’s now a foundational flavor in many cuisines, valued for its pungency, versatility, and ability to enhance other ingredients.
Many flowering vines are low-maintenance, pest-resistant, and capable of adapting to the diverse microclimates across the state.
By focusing on adaptability and sustainability, gardeners can enjoy vibrant, long-lasting blooms that complement the area’s natural beauty.
Junipers are native to North America, Europe, Asia, and parts of Africa. They thrive in various climates, from deserts to mountain slopes.
Many junipers can live 50–150 years in the right conditions. Some wild species, like the Western Juniper, have been documented at over 1,000 years old.
Plants are far more sensitive than we ever imagined.
They don’t have brains, neurons, or nervous systems, but they respond to stimuli (light, touch, gravity, chemicals, sound), and communicate via chemicals, root networks, and electrical signals.
“Passion” refers to the Passion of Christ. 17th-century Spanish missionaries in South America saw the flowers as symbols of the crucifixion.
Passion fruit is classified as a berry because it develops from a single ovary and contains many seeds. The vines can grow up to 20 feet in a single season and quickly cover large trellises, fences, or pergolas.
Soil microbes have a massive impact on the health of your soil and plants.
Think of them as the “engine” of your garden soil — breaking down organic matter, converting nutrients into plant-usable forms, and protecting plants from diseases.
Bold paint can expand a room visually and boost its personality.
Whether updating a small bedroom, transforming a cozy living area, or refreshing a compact kitchen, inspired color choices will make a huge difference.
Mark Twain called it “the most delicious fruit known to men.”
He was referring to the cherimoya, a living fossil from the highland valleys of Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia.
Ripe cherimoya spoils quickly and is hard to ship, so it’s considered a luxury fruit outside its growing regions.
Many plants produce natural defenses to deter pests and herbivores. Cacti and roses bear thorns, while other plants rely on toxic compounds.
This can be a problem for kids and pets if they explore the world through their mouths.
Unlike traditional gardening, which relies on synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, permaculture mimics natural ecosystems, where plants, animals, and the environment work together in a self-sustaining system.
For Southern California gardeners facing drought conditions and rising environmental concerns, permaculture can be a practical method of conserving water, building healthy soil, and producing abundant harvests.
No-till gardening avoids tilling or plowing, leaving the soil intact and allowing beneficial organisms to flourish.
It focuses on layering organic material on top of the soil, mimicking natural processes in forests and grasslands.
Your high-maintenance cockatoo may be worth the trouble, but not your houseplants.
And what if you’re gone at length on a business trip? Will all the houseplants die?
If you love greenery but not extra work, you may be a candidate for low-maintenance houseplants.
Water damage can compromise your home’s structural integrity, promote mold growth, and lead to expensive repairs.
Small leaks in your roof may manifest as dark spots on your ceiling, bulging paint or drywall, or water stains. You’ll have to act fast to prevent further damage.
Trees are abuzz with conversation beneath the soil. They share life-sustaining resources and exchange critical information for survival.
Their seemingly silent world is far more connected and cooperative than we once thought.
Staghorn ferns don’t grow in soil. In the wild, they cling to trees, rocks, or cliff faces, absorbing moisture and nutrients from rain and decaying leaves.
Over time, multiple ferns fuse into a giant colony that can blanket entire tree trunks. They don’t harm their host — they just hitch a ride.
Native American tribes used Echinacea (coneflowers) for centuries to treat wounds, toothaches, sore throats, infections, and snake bites — long before modern medicine noticed.
Beyond their medicinal value and unusual beauty, coneflowers are irresistible to pollinators. Once established, they’re resilient to drought and poor soil.
Oregano was uncommon in American cuisine before WWII, but GIs returning from Italy had developed a taste for the “pizza herb.”
The growing popularity of Italian cuisine made it a must-have in well-stocked kitchens.
European explorers brought bottlebrush seeds to California in the 1800s.
The plants adapted so well to the Mediterranean climate that they’ve become a staple in water-wise landscaping throughout the region.