VOLUME 13, ISSUE 1 • January 5, 2017

Neil Sperry editor. Gretchen Drew design and circulation.

It's the first e-gardens of the New Year, and we've resolved to make it a really good one. You'll find help on…

In this issue…
• Having the best success with fruit crops;
• Pruning crape myrtles (a "must-read");
• The best plant I've ever bought;
• Trimming Asian jasmine and mondograss; and
• Gardening tasks for this weekend.

I hope you'll make e-gardens a regular part of your weekly gardening activities in 2017. All I ask in return is that you tell a few friends about us. Idea! Copy this url http://neilsperry.com/e-gardens/ and paste it onto your Facebook page. Then close your eyes and think of me smiling! Because I will be!

Photo: Crape myrtles and a Texas ice storm. I took this photo in our landscape three years ago this week.

Gardening This Weekend

Cold weather has really returned! When you tend to this week’s tasks will be up to you, but do check the assignments out.

Photo: Onion sets can be planted in South Texas soon. Wait 2-3 weeks in North Texas.

My Best Plant Ever

This yaupon holly and I go back 36 years. I was a young horticulturist then, but it was already a mature tree - the nicest one I'd ever seen. But it and I almost didn't come together. I'll explain why I love it to this day.

Photo: Jungle-like branching of yaupon speaks to its rural upbringing.

Want to Know More About Fruit Crops?

Choose fruit and pecan varieties that are adapted to your part of Texas. Texas AgriLife Extension Service horticulturists have a wonderful set of guidelines. I’ll show you.

Photo: Grapes are achievable in Texas, but choose carefully and care for them regularly.

Question of the Week: January 5, 2017

"Neil, I have beds of Asian jasmine and mondograss that are both taller than I would like. Can I trim them down some? How and when?"

That’s a common question right now. I'll give you my thoughts.

Photo: You may want to reduce height of Asian jasmine.

Please! Stop Topping Crape Myrtles

What you see here is insane. This kind of butchery makes no sense at all. Topping crape myrtles ruins the plants and it serves no purpose at all. Please help me spread the word!

Photo: Topping crape myrtles serves absolutely no purpose!

And, in closing…

That's it for e-gardens. I hope we've lived up to our promises. We're already outlining what we'll bring you next week, so be watching your email next Thursday evening.

If you'd like a signed copy of my newest book, it's only $31.95. It's not in stores, and it's not on Amazon. Learn more about it and buy it from my website. I'm a bit biased, but I think it's the best work I've ever turned out. Definitely better than my "boot book" from 1991. Satisfaction guaranteed!

Until we meet again here, join me on the radio, in newspapers, on Facebook and on my website.

Happy New Year, and Happy Gardening!

Neil