VOLUME 14, ISSUE 14 • April 5, 2018

Neil Sperry editor. Gretchen Drew design and circulation.

Here we are right in the middle of springtime. I've lined up topics fitting of the time, and I hope you enjoy e-gardens more than ever.

In this issue…
• Timing feedings for all of your plants;
• Thinning your fruit crops;
• Why wisterias might not be blooming;
• Our "Plant of All Time" (bluebonnets); and
• This weekend's important tasks.

If you missed our Special Edition last week…
I devoted almost all of last issue to "Coping With Shade" (what to do when the trees grow large and the shade gets heavy). Here is a link to that issue.

My book and my promise…
This represents a summation of everything I've ever said or written in my career. That's pretty broad, but I think it comes close.

• 11 chapters covering all aspects of landscapes, lawns and gardens
• 840 of my photos and 344 pages
• Hardback and printed in Texas (not China!)

• Not in stores and not on Amazon
• Only $31.95 plus tax and postage
• I sign every book, personalized if requested

• Satisfaction guaranteed (That's the promise.)
• Order from my website, or call (800) 752-4769 M-F during business hours.

Photo: Copper plants love the heat. Plant in South Texas now, soon in North Texas.

Plant of the Millennium: Bluebonnets!

Forget this "Plant of the Week" stuff. This one goes way beyond that. You're in Texas, after all, and this is our official State Flower. I have some fun facts about our favorite plant.

Photo: Beauty abounds!

Thinning Peaches and Plums

One of the things home gardeners neglect to do is to thin peaches and plums to get maximum quality as their fruit matures. It's time, and I have the tips.

Photo: These peaches are far too close together.

Question of the Week - Number One: April 5, 2018

"Neil, what is the best time to fertilize my various plants?"

Simple question. Complicated to answer, but I'll give it my best shot.

Photo: Is it time to feed lawns?

Question of the Week - Number Two: April 5, 2018

"Neil, wisterias in our neighborhood have been blooming up a storm. Why does mine never flower?"

It's the most common question I get about vines. I'll give you my answers. (Yep, plural.)

Photo: Photo of wisteria sent to me by Marcelle Borgers this week.

Gardening This Weekend

This is the most-read part of e-gardens. It's also the main reason we went from monthly to weekly - so I could be really relevant with my suggestions. Take a moment to glance through.

Photo: It's almost time to plant copper plants, starting in South Texas and proceeding north.

And, in closing…

Another exciting episode of e-gardens comes to an end. But we'll be back with more at the same time and same e-mailbox next week. Best of all, our friend Diane Sitton will return with another of her insightful stories.

In the meantime, I'll look forward to seeing you on my website or Facebook, reading one of my newspaper columns, listening to my radio programs or podcasts, or sitting by my family at church. It's a great time to be a Texan! Let's get out and enjoy it!

Until next week, thanks for reading, and

Happy gardening!

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