About
Teresa Odle is a writer and editor who has lived and gardened throughout the mountains of arid New Mexico. She joined the Bob Vila team as a freelancer in March 2020, editing and writing helpful articles mostly on gardening and outdoor living.
Experience
Teresa has worked in online, print, and social media spaces as an editor and writer for more than 20 years. She is the former editor of African Violet Magazine and has contributed articles or blog posts to Out Here Magazine, Home Wizards, Curiosity, Su Casa Magazine (South), Southwest Gardening, Gardening Know How, Green Profit Magazine, Gardening Products Review, Plant Addicts, Cengage Learning, and national feature syndicates.Â
In 2015, Teresa founded Gardening in a Drought, a blog dedicated to gardening in dry climates and her experiences growing native plants and vegetable gardens on 4 acres in southeastern New Mexico. The blog received the top digital writing award in 2016 from the Garden Writers of America (Garden Communicators). She now focuses on garden/health and writing/editing.
Education
Teresa holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Arizona State University. She was trained as a master gardener and certified as a ski instructor while living in northern New Mexico.
Highlights
- Specialties and interests: Gardening, outdoor living, home improvement, and health care
- Education and certificates: Bachelor of Fine Arts from Arizona State University; certifications in gardening and ski instruction
- Other work: Former editor of African Violet Magazine, former freelance editor for Discovery Communications, editor for Cengage Learning (editor in the Life Sciences division), former master gardener
Best DIY Advice
Teresa and her husband love outdoor projects and really enjoyed having a rural 4-acre playground and test lab filled with plenty of critters, where one DIY project involved building gabion walls and new raised beds in a large xeric garden. Her best DIY advice? “There is so much information online that it can be overwhelming. Be sure to vet online and social media info by checking the source and—when looking at plant choices and plant care tips—by seeking experts who live and grow in similar conditions.”
More from Teresa Odle
How to Stain Wood Furniture How to Stain Wood Furniture
By Bob Vila, Updated by Teresa Odle
October 16, 2024
How Much Hardscaping Is Too Much? Experts Weigh In How Much Hardscaping Is Too Much? Experts Weigh In
By Teresa Odle
October 10, 2024
11 Ways to Reduce Construction Costs for Your Kitchen Renovation 11 Ways to Reduce Construction Costs for Your Kitchen Renovation
By Tom Scalisi, Updated by Teresa Odle
October 8, 2024
Carpet vs. Hardwood Flooring: Which Is the Better Option for Your Home? Carpet vs. Hardwood Flooring: Which Is the Better Option for Your Home?
By Timothy Dale, Updated by Teresa Odle
September 23, 2024
What Is the Best Carpet for Stairs? What Is the Best Carpet for Stairs?
By Andreana Lefton, Updated by Teresa Odle
September 10, 2024
Garden Soil vs. Potting Soil: What’s the Difference? Garden Soil vs. Potting Soil: What’s the Difference?
September 4, 2024
Keyhole Gardening: What You Need to Know to Get Started Keyhole Gardening: What You Need to Know to Get Started
By Glenda Taylor, Updated by Teresa Odle
August 30, 2024
19 Plants You Should Never Grow in Your Yard 19 Plants You Should Never Grow in Your Yard
By Jennifer Noonan, Updated by Teresa Odle
August 28, 2024
How to Stake a Tree the Right Way How to Stake a Tree the Right Way
By Jennifer Noonan, Updated by Teresa Odle
August 26, 2024
26 Insanely Easy Home Improvements You Can Do in 1 Hour 26 Insanely Easy Home Improvements You Can Do in 1 Hour
By Cynthia Ramnarace, Updated by Teresa Odle
August 15, 2024
How to Paint Pressure-Treated Wood How to Paint Pressure-Treated Wood
By Teresa Odle, Bob Vila
August 5, 2024
Sanded vs. Unsanded Grout: Which Should I Use? Sanded vs. Unsanded Grout: Which Should I Use?
By Tony Carrick, Bob Vila, Katelin Hill, Updated by Teresa Odle
July 25, 2024
Why Are Lights Flickering in My Home? Why Are Lights Flickering in My Home?
By Tony Carrick, Bob Vila, Updated b Teresa Odle
July 15, 2024
13 Handy Household Uses for Diatomaceous Earth 13 Handy Household Uses for Diatomaceous Earth
June 24, 2024
14 Ways to Help Your Garden Survive a Heat Wave 14 Ways to Help Your Garden Survive a Heat Wave
June 17, 2024