VOLUME 12, ISSUE 18 • June 2, 2016

Neil Sperry, editor. Gretchen Drew, design.

I've lined up what I believe will be a really good e-gardens for you this week. Of course, your weekend activities may have to dodge around the weather, but it's looking like we'll have some good time for gardening.

I've loaded in my personal reflections on pentas, some of my favorite flowers of summer, and as promised, tips on repairs you can make to keep your sprinkler system working efficiently.

I'm trying something new this week, too. It may or may not ever return. We'll see how you like it. Look for "Behind the Gate."

Time to work. Hope you enjoy it, and if so, I hope you'll tell thousands of people about us.

Photo: Victoria salvias and pink pentas celebrate summer's arrival!

Gardening This Weekend

Let's agree that spring is now a fond memory and that summer is at hand. It's time to shift gears into hot-weather lawn and landscape management. You'll need to stay on top of your tasks, and I've shuffled the deck completely. See what I've listed.

Photo: Plant crotons for tropical color now until frost. Morning sun, afternoon shade is best.

Another Sperry Favorite for Summer

There was a time when pentas were simply novelty plants that you saw in plant collections and public gardens. But little by little they've become mainstream, and we Texans are better because of it.

Photo: Pentas decorate poolside at Joe T. Garcia's Restaurant, Fort Worth

Sprinklers. Really?

Some of us remember the record rainfall of spring and fall 2015 all too well. It was, for many of us, interrupted by four months of terrible drought. Rains and floods have returned, but sprinkler season is at hand. Old Texan saying: "We're fixin' to need 'em."

Photo: Well-positioned, properly functioning sprinkler head is great gardening help.

Question of the Week

"Neil, why is my St. Augustine looking this way? Parts of my lawn almost look hungry, but feeding doesn't help."

This doesn't rise yet to the most-asked question of the week, but it soon will. If you have St. Augustine, you need to know.

Photo: Someone asked me what was wrong with their lawn just a few days ago. These are iconic symptoms.

Behind the Gate

After three weeks on the edge, I'm taking the plunge. These are tiny topics too small for real stories. All important, but tucked in the back of a gardener's mind. Hope you enjoy them.

Photo: Blackeyed Susan along a Collin County road earlier this week, but that's not at all what I've written about: small and fun facts.

Countdown on Book Special Goes On!

Neil Sperry's Lone Star Gardening! Will you make it in time? For only a few more days you can still get my newest book for only $28.95 plus tax and postage. I'll inscribe it as you wish (short inscriptions appreciated!) and sign it. After Father's Day, the price will increase to $31.95. Don't forget.

NOT in stores. NOT on Amazon. Order online anytime, or call my office (800) 752-4769 weekdays (office closed June 3 and 6). This is NOT a revision of my Complete Guide book with the boots.

Coming Next Week...

• Common tree troubles of summer
• Little plants in the spotlight
• Critical tasks for next weekend
... and still more!

See you at your e-mailbox next Thursday evening. Until then…

Happy Gardening!
Neil

Join Neil on Facebook. It’s a community of more than 53,000 gardeners (including Neil) helping one another enjoy the world’s greatest hobby.

(Please share us with your gardening friends. Click our "Forward email" invitation below!)