ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Name: Amber Guetebier
Title: Contributing Writer
Amber Guetebier is a gardener, landscaper, and nursery professional with 25 years of experience. She began writing for BobVila.com in 2021 and writes about plants and botanical oddities at Rotten Botany, along with other online publications such as Angi, Cubby, and Motherly.
Expertise and Experience
Amber grew up with dirt under her nails from gathering plants. Some of her earliest memories include watching caterpillars on wild fennel and taking the pollen from her grandmother’s prized calla lilies for “pixie dust.” Most of her knowledge about plants has been gained through hands-on experience: working with herbalists and gardeners, swapping seeds with heirloom plant enthusiasts, and volunteering with botanical conservatories and gardens.
She spent more than 20 years working in retail plant nurseries where she learned extensive plant IDs, botanical nomenclature, and the diagnosis and treatment of common plant problems. This was also where her obsession with strange plants began, thanks in part to the great Bill Barnett, a horticulturist, botanist, and nursery manager. Amber also launched a successful landscaping business, specializing in small urban and container gardens.
Relocating from California to the Midwest has been Amber’s greatest botanical challenge. To have a garden that can survive a midwestern winter has required adaptation, ingenuity, and a good indoor greenhouse.
SEPTEMBER 1, 2023 | FRIDAY
What to Plant in September to Make the Most of Your Growing Season
Though we may think of spring as the time to sow seeds, fall is an ideal time for planting. An array of cool-season vegetables can grow in fall’s milder temperatures and cool nights. Se...
AUGUST 31, 2023 | THURSDAY
The Best Lawn Care Companies in Atlanta, Georgia of 2023
Many homeowners feel a sense of pride in having their own patch of grass—but if their neighbor's pristine lawn has them green with envy, it may be time to call in the professionals. From ...
JUNE 8, 2023 | THURSDAY
12 of the Most Common Garden Pests—Including 8 of the Most Destructive Bugs
Beautiful buds, glossy leaves, and healthy robust vegetable plants are the pride of any gardener. But what do you do when the glory of the garden is cut short by a common garden problem: ...
JUNE 7, 2023 | WEDNESDAY
“Jobber Saved My Company”: Is Jobber Really the One Tool That All Home Service Pros Need?
From house painting to lawn care, the home-service industry thrives on offering property owners specialized services that can improve curb appeal, boost their home’s value, and leave them...
MAY 5, 2023 | FRIDAY
Bob Vila’s Definitive Lawn Care Calendar
Compliment a neighbor’s lovely green lawn, and they’ll beam with pride, but what they might not tell you is how much work is involved. For many gardeners, it’s not the tasks themselves th...
APRIL 25, 2023 | TUESDAY
The Best DIY Lawn-Care Programs and Subscription Services of 2023
Ask the average homeowner if they want a healthy green lawn and they’ll likely say yes. But mere desire for a prize-winning lawn isn’t enough: it’s critical to establish a lawn-maintenanc...
APRIL 11, 2023 | TUESDAY
How to Get to the Root Cause of Bare Spots in a Lawn and Fix Ugly, Patchy Grass
Q: I’ve been trying to improve the look of my lawn, but I’ve been noticing more and more bare spots and areas of patchy grass. I’ve tried so many products and techniques, but nothing seem...
MARCH 29, 2023 | WEDNESDAY
The Best Tree-Planting Services of 2023
Having a beautiful garden boosts curb appeal and increases property value, but for those looking to diversify their landscape and—quite literally—throw some shade onto the house, planting...
MARCH 27, 2023 | MONDAY
How to Grow Saffron—and Save a Bundle Over Buying the Spice
If you find yourself reaching for saffron in your spice rack, you’re not alone. This delicate, coveted spice is prized for its complexity of flavor: It’s both sweet and floral while also ...
MARCH 20, 2023 | MONDAY
How to Till a Garden the Right Way
Plants need sunlight, water, and key nutrients to grow. They get two of these from the soil, which is why having a healthy garden bed with rich, well-draining dirt is every gardener’s (an...
