VOLUME 19, ISSUE 12 • March 23, 2023

Neil Sperry editor. Gretchen Drew design and circulation.

Last week was a frost/freeze scare for gardeners in the top half of Texas, but that's behind us now. I've put together an e-gardens befitting of springtime. I hope you enjoy it.

In this issue…
• Top tips for tomatoes;
• How to tell if your holly will have berries;
• When wind carries the pollen;
• This week's to-do list; and
• Your questions and my answers.

NEIL SPERRY'S LONE STAR GARDENING
$36.95 - that's a limited time sale

• Covers all aspects of outdoor gardening for every county in Texas.
• 344 pages. 840 of my photos.
• It took me a year to write it, but a lifetime to learn it.
• It will pay for itself, or I'll refund your money.
• I sign every copy as it sells.
• Not in stores and not on Amazon.

ORDER FROM MY WEBSITE
OR CALL MY OFFICE weekdays*
(800) 752-4769
* Office will be closed March 24-27

Photo: Tomatoes are rewarding if you follow simple guidelines.

Gardening This Weekend

We have good weather coming up over the next few weeks. Here are things you need to get done first. Gardening is fun this time of the year!

Photo: Plant marigolds early so you can enjoy them before spider mites move in.

Will my holly have berries?

Ever wonder why some holly plants have berries while other don't? It often boils down to an individual plant's gender. I'll tell you how to distinguish.

Photo: Botanists can look at this photo and tell you whether this yaupon will ever have berries. Can you?

Pollen by the Pound

Human allergies are strange things. They set us reeling when the pollen catches the wind, yet in many cases we don't recognize the sources and we can't see or smell the pollen. Some of our most important crops fall into this category. Let's have a chat.

Photo: Oaks have been in bloom these past several days.

Tomato Time in Texas

Except in the Panhandle, it's time to plant your tomatoes. Let me give you some basic guidelines to ensure your success. It's a 2-minute read that will really pay off.

Photo: Nothing is better than fresh tomatoes out of the garden.

Q&A
Ask Neil

A pear with two varieties. A redbud with two varieties. Giant mosquitoes that are twice normal size. Goshiki. Bless you. We have it all, and it's all because of you. See my answers to your questions.

And, in closing…

I'd love to hear from you on my radio programs. Let's talk gardening. These are all toll-free numbers. You're welcome to call any or all.

• Statewide via more than 30 stations Saturday 11-noon.
(888-256-1080)

• KLIF 570AM Saturday 1-3 p.m.
(888-787-5543)

• WBAP 820AM Sunday 8-10 a.m.
(800-288-9227)

In the meantime, please visit my website. That's where you can hear podcasts of these programs. It's also where we have my 1001 FAQs, also archived information on Rose Rosette Virus.

If you enjoy e-gardens, please let others know. And please click through to our sponsors' websites. These are all great companies.

Until next week, thanks for reading,

And happy gardening!