Debbie DeRoma
School
Arizona State University, San Diego State University, Texas Tech University
Expertise
Plants And Pollinators, Home Decorating Hacks, Pet-Friendly Designs
- As a biologist, Debbie studied bees, ants, and other invertebrates, which gives her an advantage when it comes to understanding pollination, garden pests, and other plant-insect interactions.
- Having spent part of her college years cleaning swimming pools for extra cash, she has very strong opinions about poolside plants — no deciduous or nut-bearing trees, please!
- She loves to find new ways to repurpose furniture and other household items, an obsession she attributes to binge-watching "Flea Market Flip."
Experience
Debbie discovered her love for science writing as an undergraduate biology major. After college, she went to work at a science museum, where she polished her writing skills by explaining the science behind everyday life. She also wrote a monthly column for San Diego Family Magazine. After 12 years working in higher education, Debbie started freelancing and expanded her writing repertoire to include her hobbies and interests beyond science. She is excited to be a part of the House Digest team, where she can finally share her obsession with houseplants and her fascination with home decor.
Education
Debbie earned her Bachelor of Science degree in biology from Arizona State University. She later received a Master of Arts in curriculum and instruction from San Diego State University, a Ph.D. in STEM education from Texas Tech University, and a certificate in science communication from the University of California, San Diego.
House Digest uses a knowledgeable team of editors, writers, and experts to create all our content. We dive deep into the always-evolving conversations surrounding design and home trends, striving to deliver the most current and helpful tips, strengthened by expert takes and tutorials from our talented team.
As we cover many fields of expertise, we make it a priority to ensure every beat remains fresh and comprehensive. Additional information on our editorial process available here.
Stories By Debbie DeRoma
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Spider plants are among the best houseplants for beginners to grow. They require very little maintenance and have the ability to succeed without soil.
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White mold on tomato plants can spell disaster for your crop, but there are steps you can take to ensure that your tomatoes stay healthy and thriving.
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At first, it might seem like a stroke of brilliance to plant a chocolate mimosa tree to attract hummingbirds to your garden. However, there are drawbacks.
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We all want more hummingbirds around, and you can entice them to show up and hang out by arranging your flowers in an upward trajectory.
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There are certain worms out there that could cause serious damage to your lawn. But lure some songbirds to your yard and you might have a natural solution.
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Hackberry trees attract pollinators that are beneficial to the environment. However, some less desirable traits will make you think twice about planting them.
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Everybody love a good DIY with wooden pallets. But there are some precautions you want to take before getting started, especially for an outdoor proejct.
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The sweetbay magnolia is different from the southern magnolia tree, but it can bring butterflies to your yard ... along with tons of other perks, too.
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If you love hummingbirds, planting cinnamon fern is a great way to attract them to your yard. Here's why they love it and how to grow the plant.
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There are a plethora of trees and plants you can introduce to your yard to attract songbirds. However, this gorgeous tree may produce the best results.
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Mourning doves have some pretty unique nests that stand out from other birds'. If you want to encourage them to nest in your yard, check out this easy DIY.
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Pothos are extremely well-loved, low-maintenance houseplants. If you want to grow your own with minimal effort, learn how you might grow the plant without soil.
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If you're struggling with deer chomping up all your prettiest blooms, you can help deter them with this one easy-to-grow ornamental plant that's also gorgeous.
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Blue star creeper can be an eco-friendly alternative to grass, but let's also consider the downsides of the popular ground cover plant.
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Anybody who puts a lot of time and effort into their lawn is going to want to protect it from grass-eating pests. Here are some thoughts on the matter.
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This particular flower is very pretty, but it could conquer your entire garden. We don't want to say there's such a thing as an evil flower, but...
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Its name alone makes it sound like an instant fix for any broken household item, but super glue meets its kryptonite in certain bathroom settings.
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If you're a gardener and a pet guardian, you probably already know some plants aren't safe for dogs and cats. Here's another one to look out for.
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If your tap water reminds you of jumping off the diving board at your neighbor's pool party last year, you might've already guessed the source of the issue.
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There's a fair amount of crossover between gardening and bird watching. If you happen to be a fan of both, here's a shrub you might be interested in.
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The successful and presumably wealthy HGTV star has a bunch of rocks in her house. That seems weird, right? Let's hear her explanation.
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One of HGTV's most popular couples has a specific take on wood-related interior aesthetics. As it turns out, it's not totally essential for your wood to match.
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We promise we are not kidding -- there's a solid reason for putting a big stick in the middle of the ground near your hummingbird feeder.
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Mango trees are particularly vulnerable to an infection that's also a bane to other types of trees. Here's what to look out for and how to combat the condition.