Q: Our 'Meyer' lemon has no leaves, but it is alive. Is there any hope for it?

A.P., Houston

A: Chances are it will pull through. Recent soaking rains surely have helped. Make sure your soil drains well. You might apply MicroLife or cottonseed meal in early March and May. Mulch to help the soil retain moisture and discourage weeds.

Q: Last February I planted 'Granny Smith' and 'Einshemer' apple trees. The 'Einshemer' dropped its leaves early last fall, and when I removed suckers, I saw no green. Do you think it's dead? If so, what is a replacement?

R.P., Houston

A: I wouldn't be surprised if the drought's to blame for the early leaf drop. Check smaller branches and twigs: Scratch the bark a little with your thumbnail and see if there's green below. If not, and you need to replant, I understand 'Fugi' is a good pollinator for 'Granny Smith.' It's self-fertile like 'Rev. Morgan' and 'Einshemer.' Also, '2N1' or '3N1' are low-chill apples with possible variety combinations of 'Anna,' 'Dorsett Golden,' 'Fuji' and 'Gordon.'

Q: When's the best month to prune my 7-year-old fig?

M.M., Houston

A: In late winter before new growth begins. However, figs generally require little or no pruning except to remove damaged branches, unproductive twigs and suckers. Make clean cuts close to the lateral branches. You can thin to encourage new growth on an older, less-vigorous fig. You also can reduce a plant's height by removing about a third of the large, tall branches.

Q: What can I use in the flower beds to discourage cats?

M.T., Houston

A: I don't know of any guarantees, but options include water-activated devices that squirt pets when they approach and devices that release repelling odors. You can also place pine cones or pads of prickly plastic in the beds.

Some gardeners place cotton balls saturated in lemon oil furniture polish or ammonia in flower beds, but this seems messy.

Granular and liquid repellents with nontoxic ingredients such as pepper and garlic that offend the animals' sense of smell are available at garden centers and through mail-order garden catalogs such as Gardener's Supply, www.gardeners.com.

Q: I had great luck with hanging baskets of bougainvillea last summer and fall. Now they're scraggly.

J.K., Houston

A: Since bougainvillea blooms on new wood, the more tips, the more color you'll eventually have. So in early spring, heavily prune the vines. Also, pinch the tips during the growing season to encourage more branching.

Sun and fertilizer encourage color. Full sun is best; provide at least a half day. Apply a soluble fertilizer once a week or every two weeks. Use a 20-20-20 formula or a hibiscus fertilizer. Epsom salt may also help; sprinkle it onto the soil. Water in. Allow the soil to dry between waterings.