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 wcgardens24@gmail.com

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.

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.

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.

With Christmas just days away and temperatures climbing into the 80s, Adam and Amber talk through what the warm, unpredictable weather means for your landscape right now. They explain why it’s best to leave green plants alone, when to wait on cutting back perennials, shrubs, and roses, and how mistimed pruning can actually cause more damage once colder weather returns.

The conversation also covers tree planting season, why winter is ideal for getting trees established, and how proper placement can save homeowners years of problems. Adam walks through common mistakes—planting too close to houses, utilities, pools, and power lines—and why a little planning now makes all the difference later.

They wrap up with last-minute Christmas gift ideas from the nursery, including trees as long-term gifts, houseplants, outdoor décor, and easy grab-and-go options for holiday gatherings, all while keeping things light, seasonal, and very West Texas.

Adam previews a warm weekend followed by a quick cool-down, then highlights Willow Creek Gardens’ Workshop Warehouse Open House—a come-and-go event where you can build terrariums, sand art, kokedamas, and succulent gardens. The workshop is open Saturday 10–5 and Sunday 1–5.

Adam is joined by Dan Schueler, president of the Abilene Society of Model Railroaders, to talk about the club’s layouts, scales, and how family-friendly the hobby is—plus what visitors can expect at their open house, including interactive details for kids and a scavenger-hunt-style search for hidden features. Both events are in the same building, making it an easy two-for-one weekend stop for holiday fun and gift ideas.