VOLUME 15, ISSUE 5 • January 31, 2019

Neil Sperry editor. Gretchen Drew design and circulation.

Gardening This Weekend

We enter February looking at the tail end of winter. We will finish it out looking spring squarely in the eye. Let's look at the things you'll need to do to start off this very important month of our gardening year.

Photo: Cabbage-planting season about to begin.

Knowing When It's Time to Remodel

Landscapes are moving targets – never quite finished. But how do you know when it's time to make the big changes? I'll share my ideas.

Photo: This area underwent the most major changeover I've ever made.

5 Steps to Successful Fruit and Pecans

Texas A&M fruit and pecan specialist Dr. George Ray McEachern will be my guest this Sunday morning on WBAP 820AM from 8-10 a.m. (800) 288-9227 Click for more tips for your fruit-growing success.

Photo: Dr. George Ray McEachern of TAMU

Least-Asked Question of the Week Number 1: January 31, 2019

"What are the best, long-lived shade trees?"

In 42 years on the radio I've taken more than 400,000 questions. (I keep a log.) I have never been asked that one, but I love it! I'll share my answer.

Photo: Very old live oak will endure for hundreds of years.

Least-Asked Question of the Week Number 2: January 31, 2019

"I'm tired of trimming shrubs that have grown too large. What are the best shrubs in the various size categories?"

I admit it: I asked this one myself. Now I'll give you my answer.

Photo: Don't count on regular trimming to keep these shrubs in bounds.

And, in closing…

That's it for another exciting episode of e-gardens. I hope you've enjoyed it, and I hope you'll send it along to a friend.

I'll be back same time next week, but in the meantime, I'm hoping you'll tune us in this Sunday 8-10 of WBAP 820AM as Dr. George Ray McEachern of TAMU visits my program to talk about fruit and pecans. And of course I’ll be on as usual with standard lawn, landscape and gardening questions and answers Saturday afternoon 1-3 on KLIF 570AM.

Check out podcasts of my programs on my website, and look me up on Facebook. I'm on the air Saturday mornings 11-noon on 30 stations across Texas, Saturday afternoons, as mentioned on KLIF 570AM from 1-3 and Sunday mornings 8-10 on WBAP 820AM. Our grandson and I will be ushering at church this Sunday, so we'll be waiting to greet you. And at Phantom of the Opera in the brand new McKinney High Performing Arts Center, ribbon cutting tonight!

And until next week, thanks for reading.

And happy gardening!