VOLUME 12, ISSUE 36 • October 6, 2016

Neil Sperry editor. Gretchen Drew design and circulation.

 
 
 
 

Hopefully the past week has seen your shadow out in your landscape and garden. It's the greatest time of the year to make progress with your plantings. Hopefully this weekend’s cooler weather will encourage you.

I've lined up some fun things for you in this issue:
• My favorite groundcover, and why;
• Chrysanthemums, but you can call them "mums";
• Best screening shrubs;
• What to do with your poinsettia now;
• Timely tips for the next several days.

I hope you enjoy opening e-gardens as much as we enjoy preparing it. If so, please tell your friends, and please tell our advertisers. I ask that you please click into their websites to see what they’re about. Without them, this publication ceases, and they have great stories to tell.

That's enough of that, though. Let's get it all underway.

Photo: Garden mums take center stage in fall.

 
 
 
   

Gardening This Weekend

I found a long time ago that people often know what to do. They just don't do it at the right time. That's why I include this section in each week's e-gardens. See what's up for this weekend.

Photo: Sweet little violas, heavily-blooming sisters to pansies, can be planted now.

 
CONTINUE READING
 
   

Why Mondograss is My Favorite

If I had to choose between all the groundcovers available to me, this would be the one - and I have several good reasons why. There's a very good chance you'll want to know them.

Photo: Mondograss performs heroically in Sperry backyard. (Spring 2016)

 
CONTINUE READING
 
 
   

Mums for Fall Color

As far as I know, there is no official flower of the fall, but if there were, it would certainly have to be mums. Nurseries are chock full of them now. Learn how to get the most out of them.

Photo: Decorative chrysanthemums come in a variety of colors and forms.

 
 
 
   

Question of the Week #1

"We would like a tall shrub to screen an unsightly view behind our house. What would you suggest?"

I have several options that would be at the top of my list.

Photo: This shrub screen is in the Sperry backyard (along with two antique chimney pots from England).

 
CONTINUE READING
 
 
   

Question of the Week #2

"Neil, I've been growing my poinsettia all summer, and I'd like to get it to bloom for Christmas. What do I need to do now?"

I'll answer by telling you what greenhouse growers do.

Photo: Poinsettias in greenhouse in early October.

 
CONTINUE READING
 
 

And, in closing…

Time's up. You've come to the end. But we can spend more time together on the radio, via my podcasts, on Facebook and in my newspaper columns.

Or we can spend a whole lot more time together if you read through my latest book. Don't have it yet? We can help.

Once again, thanks for being here, and don't forget to share us with others by clicking the link down below.

Until next week, happy gardening!

Neil