We’re delayed by a week with this issue due to the printing of my book Neil Sperry’s Lone Star Gardening in San Antonio. But that’s done and the book is at the bindery for a few more days – mailing the week of April 11. For now, it’s springtime, and here’s the e-gardens to prove it!

Order immediately to be in first mailing (week of April 11) of Neil Sperry’s Lone Star Gardening. Special offer. Book is reg. $32.95, limited time only $28.95 plus tax and postage. Better offer: the book and 1-yr. new or renewal to our GARDENS Magazine, together a $56.90 value, for only $42.95. Order online to be sure of first mailing.

If you'd like to have Neil's help with your plant question, please drop him a note here. Note that he requires a photo for any question he chooses for this visual medium. It also helps if you will give him your city. Click here to see his answers to the most recent questions.

Good timing is critical to your successes in gardening. That’s why Neil has included 48 pages of “when to do” information in his new book. He has highlights right here.

A road trip to Arcadia and Nacogdoches finds our native son enjoying friends and plants that make themselves at home in East Texas. Read Steven Chamblee's story about a trip back in time, plus new plant research at Stephen F. Austin State University.

Everyone loves that tried and true indicator of spring -- flowering quince. This new double-blooming series will soon be finished showing off at the Dallas Arboretum, and Jenny Wegley, director of those Trial Gardens, tells readers all about it.

While I was in San Antonio last week, I had the opportunity to see the bluebonnet research fields of Dr. Jerry Parsons (retired Extension horticulturist) and Dr. Larry Stein (project leader, Extension horticulture, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension). Jerry has had a noble dream for the past 30 years, and it's coming closer and closer to reality. Click for details.

What's this? The Dallas Mavericks and area arborists are planting trees? In a time of drought? Veteran arborist Steve Houser explains why it's a very good idea.

Save the date! Saturday, April 26, for the ChariTree Earth Day fun tree climb. Details in our next e-gardens and also on Neil’s Facebook page.

On the chance that you might like to see how a book is put together from the very start to its finish, I thought it might be fun to hit some of the high spots. Since I decided to self-publish this book for the first time in my life, I was along for the ride in all of the phases. Click for a photo journey of the process.

The March/April 2014 issue of Neil Sperry's GARDENS magazine offers our readers articles on honeysuckle, basil, mandarin oranges, deck design and more. This month we share Diane Morey Sitton's article on garden signage.

It’s wildflower season in Texas! And we Texans celebrate with lots of outdoor events, plant sales, and garden tours. See an overflowing April calendar of events here.

You’ll find Neil on the radio, on Facebook, and on his website. And he’ll be doing book signings and sales once the first books become available in the next 10 or 12 days. He’ll keep you updated on the website and Facebook. Photo shows Neil with first page of the new book.

This month we introduce Lady, Rupaul, Ghost and Phoebe, deserving animals waiting at Dallas and McKinney SPCAs for loving new families. Learn their stories here and go visit them soon.

For all the years that we've been producing e-gardens, you've been our prime source of growth. We thank you for the tens of thousands of people you (collectively) have brought to our "pages." Never content, I ask you to refer us to several more friends. All you have to do is click forward at the bottom of this e-mail. (Thanks in advance.)

That's e-gardens for another month, but we'll send out a special issue if weather or other conditions merit it. In the meantime, I hope you've enjoyed this, and all I'd ask is that you let your friends know about us.

Until next time, happy gardening!

Neil Sperry