VOLUME 13, ISSUE 3 • January 19, 2017

Neil Sperry editor. Gretchen Drew design and circulation.

I don't know about you, but I'm ready to see spring. Enough of the cold and clouds already. But we have to be patient. We don't want our plants to start growing too soon.

This week's e-gardens should help you with some of the things that are on your mind now. We have Steven Chamblee back for more of his great stories, and I've prepared these topics for your enjoyment:

• Gardening This Weekend (timely tips);
• Odd growth on your trees' trunks;
• Why plants are dropping leaves; and
• Quick color for your patio and entryway.

If you enjoy e-gardens, please tell your friends. And please also tell our advertisers!

Photo: Garden carnations are available in better nurseries. Though annuals, they provide a nice season of color.

Gardening This Weekend

The timing of your gardening activities is about to become extremely urgent. I've made a list of the most critical things to get done between now and mid-week next week.

Photo: Good plum harvest in spring requires care in the winter.

Native Son: Two Cedars and a Well

You just gotta read this one. Fun travels fascinatingly described by one of my best friends and one of Texas’ finest horticulturists. He’s been to Wimberly.

Photo: Steven Chamblee beckons you to read on.

Quick Color for the Patio, Entry

One of the great things about nurseries today is that you can get annual color in larger pots and ready for immediate impact. If your winter color plants bit the dust, here are a couple of possibilities you might use.

Photo: Cyclamen, garden carnations

Question of the Week #1: January 19, 2017

"Neil, my waxleaf ligustrums and live oaks look like they're dying - dropping all of their leaves. What can I do?"

This has been an extremely common question. See what I've replied.

Photo: Sent to me by a Facebook friend who was concerned about massive leaf drop.

Question of the Week #2: January 19, 2017

"Neil, what is this growing on the trunk of my tree? Will it kill the tree?"

This question bobs to the surface frequently, so I'll answer it. But there's so much more to know about lichens.

Photo: Lichens growing on an otherwise healthy tree trunk.

And, in closing…

There you have it. Another e-gardens tucked into the archives. If you've missed any of our recent editions, remember that we present the past five issues on the e-gardens page on my website.

Need a copy of my newest book? Remember that it's not in stores and not on Amazon. Order it here for only $31.95 plus tax and postage. Satisfaction guaranteed.

I hope you'll join me on the radio, at my website, in newspapers and on Facebook. I'll be watching for you!

And so for now, so long for this week. Until next time,

Happy gardening!

Neil