Anawalt Gardening & Tool Tips
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Brussels sprouts, along with other cabbage species, most likely originated in the Mediterranean region. By the 5th century, they were widely cultivated in Northern Europe.
The modern Brussels sprout, as we know it, was developed in Belgium in the 16th century, hence its name.
Like most cabbage family members, Brussels sprouts thrive in temperatures between 45-75°F.
Snake plants are native to West Africa. Their distinctive, spearlike leaves grow from a central crown and fan out upright.
The plant is a natural air purifier par excellence. A 1989 NASA study found that snake plants can remove toxins like formaldehyde and benzene from indoor air, and continue to convert CO2 into oxygen at night.
Broccoli originated along the northern and western coasts of the Mediterranean, specifically in Italy. It’s a cultivar of wild cabbage.
The plant belongs to the Brassicaceae family (crucifers), which includes cabbage, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts. It’s classified as a cool-season crop, meaning it does best in cooler temperatures and is usually grown in the fall or spring.
Plumeria are tropical American shrubs or small trees with sweet, fragrant blooms.
Despite their close association with Hawaii (aloha!), plumeria plants are native to the Caribbean Basin.
They thrive in Southern California’s relatively mild climate, especially along the coast.
One of gardening’s oldest techniques is also one of the cheapest and most effective. And it’s especially useful in dry climates like Southern California’s.
We’re talking about mulching or covering the soil with a protective layer. What makes it so special, almost indispensable in arid regions?
In your battle against garden pests, the pests are winning. It’s not even a contest.
So, what should an eco-conscious gardener do? Spray the insect invaders into oblivion?
Pesticides have well-publicized downsides. They harm the environment, kill beneficial insects along with the bad, and pose a health risk to humans and pets.
Among its many virtues, borage is a companion plant that repels garden pests and attracts natural pollinators like bees and butterflies.
This hardy plant is more than a pretty flower — it’s a nutritional powerhouse.
Hydrangea fossils date back 40-65 million years and have been discovered in North America, Europe, and Asia. The plants grew wild in forests and along riverbanks.
Today, hydrangeas are beloved for their stunning blooms and easy care requirements. They thrive in various climates and can enhance any landscape, including your Southern California yard.
Gardening takes time, effort, and patience. It’s the complete opposite of a trip to the store where, in minutes, you can load up on two weeks’ worth of produce, half of which will go bad before it reaches your table.
But the rewards of growing your own food are many.
Southern California offers year-round gardening, especially in the temperate coastal areas.
With our warm, sunny days and mild winters, many flowers flourish here, giving you a nearly endless choice of blooms for your cut flower garden.
Is your balcony as bare as a hospital hallway?
Perhaps it’s time to spruce things up — and what better way than with flowering plants?
A few well-chosen plants can transform your space into a relaxing retreat and a magnet for pollinating critters.
Dirt is the downside of gardening.
A well-designed garden pathway solves the problem. It keeps the mud off your feet while you tend to your plants and adds character to your outdoor space.
Do you love nature but hate pushing a mower? Are you a wannabe artist, geologist, and maybe a bit of a Zen monk?
A rock garden may be the very thing to put your soul at ease and build a stunning, low-maintenance, and eco-friendly outdoor space.
Begonias are native to tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, with a significant concentration in Central and South America.
Discovered in the humid forests of Brazil and Mexico, these plants have been cultivated and hybridized to produce the diverse varieties we see today.
Plants have a buddy system. Certain plants help others grow stronger than they could on their own.
Welcome to companion gardening. Farmers and plant enthusiasts have used this technique for centuries.