Since Thanksgiving would be our normal night for e-gardens, we're sending it out one week early this month. Our timing is good, what with warmer weather here for a few days. This may be your chance to get a few tasks finished before winter settles in to stay. We have the details, and we hope you'll find them useful. If you do, please share this e-gardens with your friends.

The perfect gift for gardeners on your list! SIGNED, PERSONALIZED COPIES of Neil's new book. Remember: This book is not in stores, nor is it on Amazon. It's available from our website or by calling our office, 800-752-4769, during business hours. Not a revision of Neil's "boot books," but a much more user-friendly reference. Only $28.95 plus tax and postage. Order here before Dec. 15.

Neil addresses e-gardens readers' questions in this popular section each month. He'd love to help you, too. All he requires is that you accompany your question with a relevant photo, and he asks that you tell him your city, so he can fine-tune his answer. Click here to see Neil's answers to this month's questions. If you'd like to send Neil your question and the associated photo, this is your spot.

The recent early cold snap has us looking ahead to the things we really must get done as we head into winter. You'll find 48 pages of this type of information (four pages per month) in my new book, but here is a shorter synopsis of the most critical tasks for December. It's my hope that warm days over the next couple of weeks will let you get a lot of these started.

'Tis the season for a walk through the back forty, and that's where our Native Son headed this week. Read Steven Chamblee's account of the treasures he found.

In a space normally reserved for Jenny Wegley from the Dallas Arboretum, and used by her to introduce new and exciting plant species, Neil steps in today to tell of a 45-year love affair he's had with a lady named Nellie R. Stevens. She's a lovely older lady. In fact, she's approaching 110 years of age. Her story is worth noting.

I'll certainly be spending time in my landscape and greenhouse during December, but there is something old that will become new again in just a matter of weeks. It's a project I've worked on before, and a project I'll be helping with again. I'm extremely excited to tell you about it, but I needed just a little more space to describe it. See the details!

Fall is decidedly tree-planting season, and here is the third article in Steve Houser's valuable series on that subject. Here are the essentials for planting success.

(Save $20 -- early registration discount will end in 10 days!) Learn how to design your own landscaping project. Steven Chamblee and Neil will teach you all day, Feb. 14, in Plano. Principles of good design, the best plants, effective use of color and "hardscaping" elements. Plus, one-on-one consultation with a landscaping pro on Feb. 28 or March 1, as you finish your own project plan. Details here.

Personalizing books and turning pens! Now through Dec. 16, if you’d like NEIL TO PERSONALIZE A BOOK YOU’RE GIVING AS A GIFT, please call our office (M-F 8:30-5:30 at 800-752-4769) to order. He’s setting time aside several times each week, so we can get them mailed within 48 hours of your call. Or, come see Neil in person. Click here for his several in-store pen sales and book sales and signings. Pens can be ordered by contacting nancy@sperrygardens.com.

The November/December 2014 issue of Neil Sperry's GARDENS magazine is filled to overflowing with cold-weather gardening information. Here in e-gardens we've chosen to share Neil's recent article, "Fall Foliage for Texas."

Oh, how rose hybridizing has changed! This month Antique Rose Emporium owner Mike Shoup recounts the amazing changes in the last century. Click to read his article about "Roses of the Future"!

This month we present Daisy, Chick, Keerah and Tinkerbell, deserving animals in need of loving families and good homes. Please read about them here, and come meet them at the Dallas or McKinney SPCA shelters.

It's the season for festivities, lighted trails, and spectacular garden displays around the state of Texas! Check out our e-gardens calendar of events for the holidays.

...about e-gardens. We've been at this for more than 10 years, and we've known for all of that time that you're our best means of growing our numbers. If you enjoy our publication, all we ask in return is that you tell others about us. Please click forward at the bottom of this e-mail to send us along. Better yet, click two or three times. We'll make you proud! (And thanks for the boost!)

That's it for the December e-gardens. (OK, late November/December.) Because Christmas is five weeks from tonight, we'll be sending the January issue out early, as well.

Thanks for taking time to read us this time around, and again I invite you to share us with others. They'll be glad you did.

Until next time, Happy Thanksgiving. We are grateful for you!

Happy Gardening!

Neil Sperry