Anawalt Gardening & Tool Tips
Do you love flowers but hate weeding, watering, and replanting every spring?
Native California flowers may be the answer. These drought-tolerant, resilient blooms are perfectly adapted to Southern California’s climate, meaning less water, less effort, and a big payoff of vibrant colors and flourishing greenery
Consider the pomelo, the world’s largest citrus fruit, sometimes as big as a basketball!
Native to Southeast Asia, this grapefruit cousin has thick skin, pale flesh (ranging from yellow to pink), and a less acidic flavor — sweet, mellow, and refreshing with a tropical twist.
Johnny Appleseed spread the gospel of apple farming in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, traveling as far as Indiana and possibly Illinois.
He never made it to California, but the apple did, introduced by Spanish missionaries who also cultivated oranges, olives, grapes, and figs.
The Desert Willow Tree is one of the easiest plants to maintain. It thrives in hot, arid climates and rewards you every spring with an explosion of trumpet-shaped blooms.
This fast-growing, hardy plant lives up to 25 years and can be grown as a shrub or tree.
Did you know California contributes about 80% of the US peach harvest?
Southern California’s Mediterranean climate is ideal for peach production. However, Southern California also experiences occasional droughts and heat waves, which can impact peach tree growth if not managed properly.
Great soil is alive with microorganisms, minerals, nutrients, and organic matter that support plant life. Preparing your soil gives plants the best chance of strong and healthy growth while minimizing pest problems and dependence on chemical fertilizers.
Healthy soil = thriving plants, simply put.
Ceilings are often overlooked in design, but the right paint color can transform a room for the better.
The ceiling is your room’s “fifth wall,” and its color shapes the room’s mood, dimensions, and overall aesthetic.
Peonies are some of the most admired flowers in the gardening world. They’re also cool-climate plants. So, if you live in a sunbaked region like Southern California, you might wonder if growing these showy perennials is even possible.
The answer is yes!
Anyone who has sampled a ripe guava fresh off the tree will forever be on a quest for another — a quest as “fruitless” as the search for The Holy Grail, unless you’re in the guava zone.
But did you know that in Southern California’s forgiving climate, you can grow guavas to perfection in your backyard, thereby achieving guava nirvana?
Amaryllis is native to the tropical and subtropical regions of South and Central America.
Southern California isn’t tropical, but it’s close enough for amaryllis to flourish year-round.
Olive trees have been cultivated in the Mediterranean for over 6,000 years for their oil, fruit, and wood.
The plant is an ancient symbol of peace, prosperity, and endurance. It’s drought-tolerant and incredibly resilient, well-suited for arid conditions like those of the American Southwest.
Hops are perennials and typically need a dormancy period with cold temperatures. Some varieties struggle without this chill.
Still, growing hops in some areas of Southern California is entirely possible, especially if you choose a heat-tolerant variety.
There are countless ways to elevate your outdoor space affordably, from drought-tolerant plants to creative hardscaping.
In this blog, we’ve listed 10 impactful, beginner-friendly ideas tailored for the sun-soaked SoCal climate.
Different saws are designed for specific tasks, and using the appropriate one can save time, enhance precision, and make your work much easier.
This guide highlights a range of hand saws, their uses, and how they can improve your woodworking, metalworking, and landscaping efficiency.
California’s mild climate makes it one of the premier regions in the world for grape production. Today, the state accounts for over 80% of US grape harvest.
Southern California, in particular, has warm weather, long growing season, and diverse microclimates optimal for grape farming.
Lemongrass is a fragrant perennial grass commonly used in Southeast Asian cuisines.The plant’s citrus-like scent and flavor add a distinct accent to soups, teas, and stir-fries.
Tall, graceful blades and clustered growth make it a striking landscape feature, and its citrusy aroma is a natural insect repellent.