VOLUME 14, ISSUE 12 • March 22, 2018

Neil Sperry editor. Gretchen Drew design and circulation.

Talk about an information-packed e-gardens! That's what I've prepared for you today! Just take a gander:
• When grass won't grow beneath shade trees;
• Making sure your tomatoes set fruit;
• Picking the very best fertilizer;
• Gardening tasks for this weekend; and
• Three of my favorite yellow plants and why.

It's like selling my child…
I spent a year of my life writing this book and working alongside a great editor (Carolyn Skei) and talented graphic designer (Cyndy Smith). It's the best professional work of my life:
• Neil Sperry's Lone Star Gardening
• Only $31.95 plus tax, postage;
• Covers all aspects of outdoor landscaping and gardening;
• 344 pages, 840 of my photos;
• Hardback, high-quality paper;
• Printed in San Antonio, not China!
• I sign every book!
• Available only from my website or by calling my office weekdays (800) 752-4769;
• Not in stores, not on Amazon;
• Satisfaction guaranteed.

Come meet my wife and me!
Lynn and I will greet you at the door of Kendra Scott Jewelry in Watters Creek in Allen Monday, March 26, 6-8 p.m. It's a "Kendra Gives Back Party" with special treats, and the store will donate a percentage of all sales during those hours to a school we love, Serenity High in McKinney. Thank you, Kendra!

Photo: ‘Ideal Select Raspberry’ pinks are popular early spring annuals.

When Yellow Ain't Mellow!

If you want a color that jumps out of your garden and straight into viewers' eyes, grow with yellow. I have three of my all-time favorites, and I'll be happy to share them.

Photo: Three of my all-time favorite yellows.

Growing Grass Beneath Trees

I'm asked about getting grass to grow beneath trees probably 10 times a week this time of year. If it's been on your mind, I can save you a lot of frustration and money. Read what I've written.

Photo: This part of the Sperry lawn was starting to fail. Shade was the culprit.

Question of the Week Number 1: March 22, 2018

"Neil, I've not had very good luck getting tomatoes to set fruit in the past. What can I do differently?"

I have several possible explanations.

Photo: Not seeing fruit set like this? Read on!

Question of the Week Number 2: March 22, 2018

"Neil, I have several types of shrubs and flowers as well as a lawn and vegetable garden. Do I need a separate fertilizer for each?"

My answer may surprise you.

Photo: How many types of fertilizer will be needed for this handsome landscape?

Gardening This Weekend

You could probably list 100 things you'd like to get done in your gardens this weekend. I've boiled them down to the most critical dozen or so. They'll be a good starting point.

Photo: Dichondra (l), much larger dollarweed (r) controllable now.

And, in closing…

That's it for this week's e-gardens. I'll be back next week with alternatives to turfgrass for really shady locations - and a ton of other good stuff. If you enjoyed this, please let others know.

And remember to join my wife and me at Kendra Scott in Watters Creek, Allen, this coming Monday, March 26, 6-8 p.m., with a portion of sales during those hours going to Serenity High in McKinney.

Beyond that, I'll see you in a nursery or two, in church for Palm Sunday, probably at a burger joint, on Facebook and on my website. Tune me in on radio and via my podcasts.

Until next week, thanks for reading,

And happy gardening!

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