Landscaping in the Big Country with Adam Andrews

Landscaping in the Big Country with Adam Andrews is your weekly guide to thriving West Texas yards—lawns, trees, beds, soil, water-wise strategies, seasonal to-dos, and practical fixes for pests and disease. Broadcast live at noon Saturdays on NewsTalk1560, KZQQ-AM (Abilene, Texas), Adam answers listener questions and shares expert tips tailored to the Big Country climate. Send your questions for on-air consideration to [email protected]

Willow Creek Gardens is rolling into the early spring rush, and Adam and Amber are here with the February game plan. With plant trucks arriving and the nursery turning green again, they break down what’s showing up first—fresh shrubs and trees, fruit trees, cool-season color, herbs and veggies, and some early surprises that usually don’t hit until later.

Plant of the Week is Dianthus—also called pinks or sweet William—a tough, cool-season favorite loaded with color, fragrance, and variety. Adam explains why dianthus thrives right now, how it performs through the seasons, and why it’s a great choice for beds that need an instant lift.

They also cover the big “get-ahead” list for this time of year: servicing mowers and checking sprinkler systems before everyone gets booked up, pruning windows for trees and shrubs, rose timing (and why climbing roses are different), refreshing mulch, and planning ahead for spring projects. Plus, they dive into February’s most important lawn step—pre-emergent—including the three-application calendar for West Texas and what those treatments prevent as the season heats up.

Finally, they hit what you can plant now for fast payoff: redbuds before they bloom out, climbing color like Carolina jessamine, bluebonnet starts, cool-season vegetables and herbs, and strawberries while supplies last.

Landscaping in the Big Country with Adam Andrews is your weekly guide to thriving West Texas yards—lawns, trees, beds, soil, water-wise strategies, seasonal to-dos, and practical fixes for pests and disease. Broadcast live at noon Saturdays on NewsTalk1560, KZQQ-AM (Abilene, Texas), Adam answers listener questions and shares expert tips tailored to the Big Country climate. Send your questions for on-air consideration to [email protected]

Adam and Amber take advantage of the spring-like weather to walk listeners through what should already be on the early-season checklist. With Valentine’s Day around the corner, they share quick gift ideas from the nursery, then shift into the real timing window for winter work—tree pruning before bud break, cutting back overgrown shrubs, trimming roses (but not climbers), refreshing mulch beds, and getting lawn equipment serviced before repair shops get backed up.

They also encourage homeowners to check sprinkler systems now for clogged heads or freeze damage, and to get on the schedule early if they’ll need a mowing or landscaping company this season. The Plant of the Week is the Redbud, with Adam explaining the differences between eastern and western varieties, why redbuds bloom before leafing out, and why now is the perfect time to plant one.

The episode wraps with a strong February reminder: pre-emergent season is here, and staying ahead of crabgrass, sandburs, and other tough West Texas weeds starts now—not after they’ve already taken over.

It’s the last day of January, it’s freezing outside, and Adam, Amber, George (and a napping Willis) kick off a “what now?” episode after a wild week of closures and nonstop firewood sales. With Groundhog Day, Valentine’s Day, and a family wedding on the horizon, Adam names the Texas state flower—bluebonnets—as Plant of the Week and breaks down the real way they grow: the tough seed coat, how (and when) to scarify seeds, why you don’t need soil prep, and the hilarious truth about “it’s illegal to pick them.”

Then it’s all about February prevention: pecan buying tips, the Farmers’ Almanac (final paper edition), and the nursery’s month-by-month lawn guide—plus a deep dive into early-season protectants like drenches, horticultural oils, and scale control, including why timing matters.

In the final segment, Adam lays out the most important early lawn move of the year: pre-emergent—when to apply it, how long it lasts, why it beats chasing weeds later, and the difference between pre- and post-emergent products. Bonus: a smart West Texas strategy with an optional May application to help fight late-season troublemakers like sandburs and khaki weed.

Landscaping in the Big Country with Adam Andrews is your weekly guide to thriving West Texas yards—lawns, trees, beds, soil, water-wise strategies, seasonal to-dos, and practical fixes for pests and disease. Broadcast live at noon Saturdays on NewsTalk1560, KZQQ-AM (Abilene, Texas), Adam answers listener questions and shares expert tips tailored to the Big Country climate. Send your questions for on-air consideration to [email protected]

A hard freeze is on the way, and Adam starts with the simplest move that makes the biggest difference: water before the freeze. He explains why hydrated plants handle cold better than stressed, dry ones—and which outdoor color plants and newly planted trees need a soak. Then it’s all about January tasks: freeze cloth basics, pecan-buying tips (dry and clean), and a quick look at what to start planning for now as vegetable season approaches—onions, asparagus, potatoes, and other cool-season favorites.

In the second half, Adam welcomes special guest Eric Veith for a timely deep dive into pruning season: when to do heavy cuts (now through mid-February), what to leave alone (especially crepe myrtles), and how to prune safely and correctly—tools, sharp chains, and the three-cut method that prevents bark tear. They also talk power-line trimming, why “line clearing” isn’t real tree pruning, and why winter is the perfect window for transplanting trees and shrubs—plus a quick preview of upcoming fruit tree planting season.

January may feel quiet in the yard, but broadleaf weeds are already thriving—especially after a mild winter and a little rain. Adam and Amber break down the most common broadleaf weeds showing up right now (like henbit, clover, prickly lettuce, aster, and spurge), plus what actually works to control them. They explain the big categories (broadleaf vs grassy vs nut sedge), how to choose the right product for your lawn type, and why temperature matters more than most people think when spraying.

They also share a practical warning about weed-and-feed products near trees and shrubs, when dicamba can be a problem, and how to shift from “killing what you see” to preventing the next wave with pre-emergent as spring approaches.

Landscaping in the Big Country with Adam Andrews is your weekly guide to thriving West Texas yards—lawns, trees, beds, soil, water-wise strategies, seasonal to-dos, and practical fixes for pests and disease. Broadcast live at noon Saturdays on NewsTalk1560, KZQQ-AM (Abilene, Texas), Adam answers listener questions and shares expert tips tailored to the Big Country climate. Send your questions for on-air consideration to [email protected]

Adam and Amber talk quick, practical cold-front prep—what to bring in, what to cover, and why winter watering still matters when it’s been dry. Then they spotlight lucky bamboo as a New Year “good fortune” plant (what it really is, how to care for it, and what the stalk counts symbolize). In the second half, they tackle mistletoe—the romantic tradition that’s also a parasite in our trees—where it shows up, how birds spread it, and the best ways to knock it out or prune it back before it weakens branches. They wrap with a reminder that, warm spell or not, this is still prime season for tree trimming and planting.