VOLUME 14, ISSUE 47 • November 22, 2018

Neil Sperry editor. Gretchen Drew design and circulation.

Happy Thanksgiving, my friend! We've sent e-gardens out two days early this week because we figure you're about to get swamped.

In this issue…
• Amaryllis for Christmas;
• Gardening tasks to fit in;
• Oakland hollies are winners;
• Ugly, nasty mealybugs; and
• Pecan hulls as a mulch.

My book, your Christmas gift-giving
It tucks neatly under the tree, and I think you'll get smiles.

And it's on sale…
First book $33.95, 2nd and 3rd books
to same address only $28.95!
• Written specifically for Texas
• A quarter-century more up-to-date than my old "boot book"
• 344 pages and 840 of my photos
• Covers every aspect of Texas gardening
• I sign every copy and personalize them if requested
• Satisfaction guaranteed

Not in stores and not on Amazon - buy it from my website (click here) or by calling my office weekdays at (800) 752-4769

Photo: Ornamental gourds are festive occupants of Thanksgiving Horns-of-plenty.

Gardening This Weekend

You probably have other things that will take your mind off gardening most of this Thanksgiving weekend, but I've still made a list of things that might merit your attention if you have time.

Photo: Cyclamen are cool-weather sources of color.

Plant of the Week: Oakland Holly

If you're looking for a tall, screening shrub or just a relatively upright plant to grow near an entryway, this might be your very best choice. Let me tell you about it.

Photo: Oakland holly leaves.

Amaryllis Around Us

I've decided that I'm going to buy several boxed amaryllis bulbs soon. I've admired them around Christmas in past years, but by then it's been too late. They're lovely sub-tropical bulbs. Let me tell you about them.

Photo: In all their various colors, amaryllis are lovely flowers of Christmas.

Question of the Week - Number 1: November 22, 2018

"What are these white insects, and how can I control them?"

Those are mealybugs, and they're some of the worst pests you can get on your houseplants. I'll give you some tips.

Photo: Extreme outbreak of mealybugs (courtesy Univ. of Wisconsin Ext. Ser.)

Question of the Week Number 2: November 22, 2018

"Do pecan hulls make a good mulch?"

Let me tell you a funny story as I answer your question. Click to see both.

Photo: You can buy pecan hulls bagged or in bulk.

And, in closing…

Please have an especially safe and grateful Thanksgiving. Enjoy time with your family and friends.

And remember your friend Neil live on the radio this weekend. Join me on my statewide program that airs on 30-plus stations Saturday morning 11-noon, on my new program on 570 KLIF from 1-3 Saturday afternoon and on my Sunday morning old faithful, that's 8-10 A.M. on WBAP (820AM). Here is information on all of them.

That's what we brought you. Now if you'll excuse me, company is about to arrive. Have a great week.

Happy gardening!

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