VOLUME 15, ISSUE 4 • January 24, 2019

Neil Sperry editor. Gretchen Drew design and circulation.

I don't know about you, but it's been a crazy week in the Sperry household. Weather ups and weather downs. We finally had our family Christmas gathering last Sunday (due to family illnesses and then trips). Two of our children's birthdays (Erin today and Brian tomorrow - Happy Birthday, kids!).

But that's not why you subscribed to e-gardens.
Here's what you're looking for…
• Machine Gun Kelly has hit our trees:
• When to dig and divide summer, fall perennials;
• What to do now for TARR and chinch bugs;
• Plant of the Week - stocks; and
• Things to accomplish in the next few days.

The best book I've written…
I'm probably not the right person to review it (since I wrote it), but that's my opinion.
• Totally different format from "cowboy boot" book.
• 344 pages and 840 of my photos.
• 11 chapters that cover all aspects of gardening in Texas.
• Hardback and high-quality paper and printed in Texas (not China).

The important details…
• Only $33.95 plus tax, postage.
• Not in stores and not on Amazon.
• Available from my website or by calling my office M-F (800) 752-4769.
• I sign every copy and will personalize if requested.
• You need this before spring gets rolling!

Photo: Stocks add color, fragrance to late winter garden.

Gardening This Weekend

The final week of January brings many critically timed tasks for our landscapes and gardens. For many plants, it's prime time to plant and prune. I have the details.

Photo: Larkspur transplants can be set out now.

Plant of the Week - January 24, 2019: Stocks

In a loose sort of way, these cool-season annuals look like snapdragons. Yet not enough people know them and grow them. Let's try to change that today.

Photo: Rich colors abound with stocks.

Question of the Week - Number 1: January 24, 2019

"I had a terrible time with my St. Augustine last year. Is there anything I can be doing now in late winter to prepare it for TARR and chinch bugs in 2019?"

I'll have my answer.

Photo: Take all root rot (top) and chinch bugs ravaged St. Augustine in 2018.

Question of the Week - Number 2: January 24, 2019

"I was doing some winter pruning on my trees and saw this damage to elms, oaks and pecans. What can I do to stop it?"

Gardeners worry about this a lot. I'll help.

Photo: Elm trunk. (Photo by Brenda McG. Posted on my FB page recently)

Question of the Week - Number 3: January 24, 2019

"I want to divide my cannas and garden mums. When can I do that?"

They bloom in summer and fall. Let's see how that impacts my answer.

Photo: Short window of canna transplanting time comes soon.

And, in closing…

I'm done. It's late Wednesday night as I finish this and I'm heading for bed. My hope is that you've enjoyed this week's e-gardens enough to tell your gardening friends.

Until next week, I'll see you on my Facebook page and at my website where you can find podcasts of my radio program and my 1001 FAQs (yep - 1001 questions!). Tune in one of my radio programs, including the new one Saturday afternoons 1-3 on KLIF 570AM as well as my Sunday broadcast on WBAP 820AM from 8-10 a.m. Or, as always, I'll watch for you at church or at the hamburger place.

Programming note: On Sunday, February 3, my entire program on WBAP will be devoted to fruit and pecans. My friend Dr. George Ray McEachern of Texas A&M will be my guest to answer your questions. Watch for details here next week.

Thanks for reading this week, and...

Happy gardening!

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