VOLUME 13, ISSUE 43 • October 26, 2017

Neil Sperry editor. Gretchen Drew design and circulation.

 
 
 
 

Temperatures at the end of October are a lot cooler than they were when the month began. Enough so that some areas will see first frosts of the fall in the next 36 hours. I have detailed information in our Gardening This Weekend feature. Here’s a quick link if you just can’t wait.

Also in this issue…
• Our friend Diane Sitton takes us to Galveston;
• Crossandras - one of my favorites;
• Mexican mint marigold;
• Top gardening tasks; and
• More details of the armadillo trap.

Big savings, short time…
Buy my newest book while it's on sale for a limited time. First copy regular price $31.95 (plus tax, postage), second and third copies sent to same address for only $26.95 each! Makes a great Christmas gift.

• Book is not a re-do of my 1991 Complete Guide book with the cowboy boots on cover.
• 344 pages, 840 of my photographs.
• Comprehensive chapters on basics, calendar of gardening activities, trees, shrubs, vines, groundcovers, annuals, perennials, lawns, fruit and vegetables.
• Not in stores. Not on Amazon.
• Available only from my website or by calling my office (800) 752-4769 weekdays 9-5.
• I sign all books, personalized if requested.
• Satisfaction guaranteed or full refund.
• Don’t delay. Limited time offer!

Enough of all that. It's time to get on to e-gardens. Hope you enjoy it!

Photo: Crossandra is a charming little flowering container plant.

 

 
 
 
   

Take a Walk on the Wild-ly Colorful Side of Galveston

Diane Morey Sitton, long one of the favorites of our magazine, is back with a grand story of a great city and Galveston's recent Fall Garden Tour. She says it was as glamorous as always. Wait 'til you see her photos and read what she's prepared!

Photo: Mexican petunias provide colorful accent to Galveston garden.

 
CONTINUE READING
 
   

Plant of the Week: October 26, 2017

Monarch butterflies are migrating through Texas right now, and one of their favorite stopping-off spots is on Mexican mint marigolds. But that's just one reason to love this lesser-known plant.

Photo: Mexican mint marigold is in bloom in Sperry home garden right now.

 
CONTINUE READING
 
 
   

Gardening This Weekend

Cold weather coming this weekend, and wise gardeners are getting things ready. I have a list of the most critical tasks, along with what to do the night of the first killing freeze. Click to see what I've written.

Photo: Brown patch fungus is running rampant in St. Augustine right now.

 
 
 
   

Crazy About Crossandras

It took this plant a long time to catch on, but I was willing to wait. Crossandras have finally become fairly commonplace. If you haven't tried them, it's time that you did.

Photo: Warming rays of late evening sun make crossandra all the more handsome.

 
CONTINUE READING
 
 
   

At Your Request…

Several of you asked for photos of the armadillo trap I showed here two weeks ago, so a friend and I got you the dimensions. Click here to see them.

Photo: It's a relatively easy DIY project.

 
CONTINUE READING
 
 

And in closing…

That's it for another e-gardens. Let's tuck it to bed. But we'll be back with a new edition same time next week. As always, the only favor I ask is that if you enjoy it, please let your friends know.

Let's make plans to join up at my Facebook page, in my podcasts, on radio, in my newspaper columns, and of course, on my website. And I'll see you at our church where our granddaughter Ella will be playing in the bell choir this Sunday.

Happy Gardening!

 
 

Subscribe to Neil's Podcast!

Available for both Apple and Google Play

Click here to listen on Neil's web site »