Anawalt Gardening & Tool Tips
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.
Fortunately, some common garage door issues involve simple fixes and minimal effort.
You’ll be back in the easy chair in no time, and you may even rule the roost briefly (very briefly) as a conquering DIY hero.
Azaleas belong to the Rhododendron genus and are native to Asia, North America, and Europe. Garden varieties trace their lineage to species from the southeastern United States and East Asia
Most azaleas prefer cooler temperatures, but with proper care, some heat-tolerant varieties will do splendidly in your Southern California yard.
It’s time to organize, and if you don’t have the space or budget for a state-of-the-art rolling cabinet system, perhaps a simple pegboard is your best bet.
Pegboards are cheap, easy to mount, flexible, and easy projects for even novice DIYers.
Sustainable gardening may seem like an Earth Day sequel, but many traditional cultures have practiced it for centuries.
It minimizes waste, conserves water, and promotes biodiversity while ensuring the soil remains healthy and productive for future use.
Sometimes, the simplest and most affordable design solutions have the biggest impact.
Paint is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to transform a home.
Hollyhocks are typically biennials, meaning they grow foliage in their first year and bloom in their second. However, many hollyhocks act more like perennials, returning year after year.
Their tall spikes can rise to 6–8 feet and bear large, funnel-shaped flowers.
Air temperatures can drop by 5°F to 15°F under the canopy of a mature shade tree.
Shade also benefits plants in your garden and can significantly lower AC bills. So stop complaining about the heat and start planting trees!