VOLUME 12, ISSUE 41 • November 10, 2016

Neil Sperry editor. Gretchen Drew design and circulation.

 
 
 
 

I have a couple of surprises in store for you this week. But they should prove to be good surprises.

• Not one Question of the Week. Not two. But eight! Four about lawns and four about landscapes.
• Gardening This Weekend always points out your most critical tasks.
• New feature for fall: My Four Favorite Sources of Fall Color.
• Plant of the Week: Autumn Fern (how appropriate!)

Remember the Rose Rosette Conference this Saturday morning just north of McKinney. Here are the details.

And save on my book if you want to give it for Christmas. First book regular price $31.95, second and third books save $5! Not in stores or on Amazon. Click here for details.

On to the issue – happy e-gardens reading!

Photo: Autumn fern is year-round good-looker. Fall finds bronze tones in its foliage.

 
 
 
   

Gardening This Weekend

If I were going to point out 12 critical things you'd want to get done this weekend, they would look just like what I've posted for you here.

Photo: It's prime time for planting ornamental cabbage and kale. They'll color up with the onset of winter, and they'll follow on through until spring.

 
CONTINUE READING
 
   

Fall Color: Ginkgo

Trees are starting to change across Texas. For the next four weeks I'm going to feature four of my favorite sources of fall color for Texas, and this week I'll begin with the very best yellow.

Photo: There is no richer shade of golden yellow than ginkgo foliage in fall.

 
CONTINUE READING
 
 
   

Fabulous Ferns

The past 40 years have seen remarkable changes in fern finery for Texas landscapes and gardens. We now have more choices, and today's featured plant is one of the finest. Shady spot? Reach for Autumn ferns!

Photo: Autumn fern, variety 'Brilliance' is a dependable choice for shade.

 
 
 
   

Questions of the Week November 10, 2016

I can't keep ahead. I'm been covered up with questions, and I've decided to share some of the most common ones here. Bougainvilleas, caladiums, pansies and transplanting. I have the answers.

Photo: What should you do with caladium tubers over the winter?

 
CONTINUE READING
 
 
   

More Questions of the Week November 10, 2016

I've made a collection of lawn-related questions I'm being asked. They range from brown patch disease, mowing heights and tree leaves on to timing of herbicides. Take a quick glance. One of yours might be in here.

Photo: Brown patch fungus in St. Augustine turf

 
CONTINUE READING
 
 

And, in closing…

Like the 2016 growing season, e-gardens for this week is just about done. And as soon as I "Save" and "Send" this one, I'll start thinking about next week's.

In the kindtime (as opposed to "meantime"), join me on Facebook, on radio, in a dozen or more Texas newspapers, and via podcasts. You can even find answers to more than 1,000 FAQs that I’ve answered on my website.

If you enjoyed us, tell your friends. Even better, tell our advertisers. Seriously, pick up the phone and let them know.

Until next week, happy gardening!

Neil