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There are many questions we need to ask ourselves as we plan for the coming year. At the top of the list is why our landscape plants didn't survive as well as we wanted them too. Did we apply enough moisture? Did we enable the soil to absorb water into the root area of the plants? Did we mulch around the plants to conserve the moisture we did apply?

Texas A&M University and Oklahoma State University both have programs to test and promote plants that are superior performers in the Texas and Oklahoma climates, and the programs' recommendations can help gardeners choose plants that will thrive in their area.

When selecting the perfect pecan variety, you need to look farther than just the characteristics that are appealing when you eat pecans: large, plump, well-filled meats that are easy to shell. But you should look past these characteristics to the management structure: it may require a compromise.

Usually pecans are either harvested "on the halves," splitting the crop equally between grower and harvester, or a price is paid per pound harvested. Another alternative is leasing the trees to another producer who will manage the trees totally, including fertilizing, spraying, pruning, harvest floor cleanup, harvesting and cleaning.