Anawalt Gardening & Tool Tips
Companion planting is the practice of growing different plants together for mutual benefit.
This time-tested technique pairs plants with complementary qualities to help each other flourish.
Companion planting can enhance growth, increase fruit production, and improve the flavor of your strawberries.
Gladiolus is prized for its tall, striking flower spikes and vibrant hues.
The plants are native to South Africa and the Mediterranean, where they flourish in warm temperatures and full sunshine. This makes them a natural for Southern California gardens.
Your garden needs love and cooperation. Not just the human kind, but also the cooperation that comes only from plants.
Ever heard of companion planting? It’s an easy way to boost your garden’s growth and productivity without synthetic fertilizers or pesticides.
Lilacs are native to Eastern Europe and parts of Asia, where they were cultivated for their delicate flowers and sweet fragrance. Symbolically, they’re associated with love and renewal.
These bushes can be grown in various environments, making them popular for hedges and landscaping worldwide.
“Nasturtium” derives from the Latin word “trophaeolum,” meaning trophy, a nod to their shield-shaped leaves and bold flowers. Indigenous peoples first cultivated nasturtiums in Central and South America for culinary and medicinal purposes.
Today, nasturtiums grow worldwide. Gardeners value them for their low-maintenance nature, culinary applications, and ability to attract pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Â
Your garden needs love and cooperation. Not just the human kind, but also the cooperation that comes only from plants.
Ever heard of companion planting? It’s an easy way to boost your garden’s growth and productivity without synthetic fertilizers or pesticides.
The sunflower (Helianthus annuus) is native to North America. Archaeological evidence suggests that indigenous peoples began domesticating sunflowers as early as 3000 BCE.
Grown for their seeds and oil, they also played a role in cultural and spiritual practices. By the 16th century, sunflowers were introduced to Europe.
Lavender has long been cultivated for its aroma, vibrant blooms, and therapeutic applications.
The ancient Egyptians used lavender for perfumes and embalming. Europeans later incorporated it into medicine and cosmetics. Today, lavender remains an enduring symbol of health and tranquility.
50,000 years ago, prehistoric humans gathered around fires to keep themselves warm, ward off predatory animals, and cook their food.
Fast-forward to today. Little has changed, except the animal predators are gone from urban landscapes.
People still gather around fires, but now it’s more for socializing and relaxation than survival.
Sweet peas were first cultivated in Sicily for their sweet fragrance and butterfly-like flowers.
Introduced to England in the late 17th century, these climbing annuals later became a staple in Victorian gardens.
Today, gardeners grow them for their scent, aesthetic appeal, and ability to attract pollinators.
Old wood has character, and with a bit of effort and elbow grease, it offers an easy and inexpensive way to make a unique statement.
From furniture to accent pieces, there are endless possibilities for incorporating reclaimed wood into your space.
Bok choy, or Chinese cabbage, has been cultivated in China for over 1,500 years. In Cantonese, the name “bok choy” means “white vegetable,” referring to its pale, crunchy stems.
Over time, this nutritious vegetable spread globally and became an essential ingredient in many Asian and fusion dishes due to its mildly sweet flavor and crisp texture. Â
Professional painters know that the quality of the brush makes a huge difference. They also know that the cheapest brush is sometimes the best for the job.
That’s right — for certain tasks, an el cheapo disposable foam brush can provide a better finish than the finest natural bristle brush that costs nearly as much as a house payment.
Calendula is more than a pretty face — it’s a common ingredient in herbal teas, home remedies, and skincare products.
The sun-loving “pot marigold” is beautiful and edible, and its ability to attract pollinators makes it a beneficial garden plant, too.
Are you the neighborhood brown thumb? The wannabee master gardener who has mastered only plant destruction?
There may be a problem with your gardening technique that undermines the health of your plants.
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.
