Anawalt Gardening, DIY & Tool Tips
This guide describes the seven essential measuring tools every DIYer needs and what each tool does best. We’ll focus on practical applications for typical home improvement projects, from simple picture hanging to complex deck construction.
Power washers transform tedious cleaning tasks into quick, satisfying projects. A rented power washer gives you professional-grade cleaning without the storage worries or upfront investment of a purchased unit.
A clean exterior isn’t just about looks — it’s about protecting your investment, extending the life of surfaces, and creating a space you’re proud of.
Once dismissed as “worthless weeds,” petunias have gone from wild South American flowers to beloved garden staples.
They’re a perfect match for Southern California — bold, sun-loving, and endlessly adaptable to our microclimates from beach to desert.
Measurement errors compound quickly. When your first cut is off by a quarter-inch, every subsequent piece must compensate for that error.
This guide describes the seven essential measuring tools every DIYer needs and what each tool does best.
Few plants can match the canna lily’s bold beauty and long history. This tropical showstopper is a lily only in name — in fact, it’s more closely related to bananas and ginger.
Once grown as food in ancient Peru, cannas, with their towering banana-like foliage and magnificent, self-cleaning flowers, shine in modern gardens.
One tool specializes in brute-force persuasion — like the bouncer who never asks politely — while the other is more of a finesse player.
Confusing them is more than a rookie mistake; it’s a fast track to stripped screws, cracked masonry, and a blue streak of four-letter words.
Both tools pack serious power, but they’re designed for different jobs.
Kiwi fruit originated in the Yangtze River valley of China, where it flourished wild for centuries before cultivation began.
California began growing kiwi commercially in the 1970s, primarily in the Central Valley, and now accounts for about 95% of US kiwi fruit production.
The modern wrench emerged in the 1800s, alongside the rise of machine manufacturing and standardized hardware.
Before that, blacksmiths and craftsmen often made custom spanners or keys for specific machinery.
The wild ancestor of the cherry tomato originated in the coastal regions of Peru and Ecuador.
Plant breeders in the 1970s developed modern cherry tomato varieties by crossbreeding wild tomatoes with domesticated ones, creating the sweet, resilient fruit we enjoy today.
The earliest pliers were made to handle hot metal. Metalworkers needed a way to hold red-hot iron, copper, and bronze while hammering, shaping, or forging them.
Over time, pliers diversified into many forms — needle-nose, locking, lineman’s, and so on — each adapted to specialized trades ranging from dental to electrical work.
Candied ginger was a popular sweet in Europe from the 13th to the 15th centuries, before chocolate and sugar-based candies became widespread. The first ginger ales were marketed as tonics to soothe stomach ailments.
Today, ginger grows commercially in countries like India, China, and Jamaica, but home gardeners can successfully cultivate it in warm climates like Southern California.
Daffodils, known botanically as Narcissus, are native to the meadows and woods of Southern Europe and North Africa. They belong to the amaryllis family and have been cultivated for centuries.
These hardy bulbs symbolize rebirth and new beginnings. While they’re famously associated with the rolling hills of England, many varieties can adapt to warmer climates with a bit of help.
In Southern California, an asphalt driveway with basic installation and minimal upkeep lasts about 15 years. A driveway with excellent installation and care will hold up for 20 to 25 years.
The good news is that you can restore your driveway’s appearance and extend its lifespan with a weekend DIY sealing project.
Will the showy ranunculus flower grow in Southern California’s warm, arid environments?
Yes, but with a caveat. Ranunculus prefer cool to mild temperatures. The California summer is a bridge too far, but the winter and early spring climates are almost perfect.
If you drill, saw, or glue, chances are you’ll need a clamp to do the job right.
The simple iron clamping devices of medieval forges have morphed into more than 50 specialized types, each engineered for different purposes.
Cooler temperatures in LA mean less water stress on plants, fewer pests, and longer-lasting flowers.
They’re perfect for winter flowers, so start digging and planting!
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.