VOLUME 12, ISSUE 20 • June 16, 2016

Neil Sperry, editor. Gretchen Drew, design.

First things first: If there is a father somewhere in your life, may this weekend be special for him and for you. Happy Father's Day, dads!

When I sit down to write e-gardens each week, I begin by making a list of the most critical things I'm seeing around me. Then I throw in a fun thing or two (like Steven Chamblee this week). And I make sure I've addressed the things I promised the prior week.

Gretchen and I spend a couple of days each week getting e-gardens ready for you. We say it each time: we hope you enjoy it. Please tell others about it!

BOOK SALE ends Sunday night. This is your last opportunity to buy the second printing of Neil Sperry's Lone Star Gardening at the price of the first printing ($28.95 plus tax and postage). The price goes up by $3 the day after Father's Day. You can order right here.

Photo: I took this just 6 hours ago at First United Methodist Church in McKinney. Dahlberg daisies with purple fan flower. Nice work, Elizabeth Schmidt of Great Gardens in McKinney.

Gardening This Weekend

Welcome to summer. Things begin to move in ultra-high speed for the next several months. You must tend to your tasks in timely order or your plants are likely to suffer. I tailor this list of things to get done each week for you.

Photo: Crotons are a great source of summer color for Texas beds. More sun means more brilliant colors.

Corsicana

Native Son Steven Chamblee is known for his road trips and public appearances across Texas. This time he was speaking in Corsicana. You’ll enjoy the details of his visit. Nobody tells a story any better.

Photo: Does his rose symbolize Peace, Love or Milagros? I’ll let Steven explain.

Watering to Save Trees

There’s a lot of confusion when it comes to the best ways to water our trees in summer. We end up wasting water and still losing trees. I have some tips. Some might surprise you.

Photo: Trees require attention to watering this time of year.

Question of the Week

Want to see the question I’m asked more than any other? Here it is!

"Neil. What grass is most tolerant of shade? There are big, bare spots beneath our trees."

Photo: Shade was ruining my lawn when I changed over to plants that would be more tolerant.

Dealing With Dallisgrass

I'm hoping you aren't taking e-gardens solely for pretty photos, because this story is about one ugly plant. But if you have dallisgrass in your lawn, you must read this information before you pull out the rest of your hair. It's the most tenacious weed that we have.

Photo: Dallisgrass at its worst. Unmowed, looking at me from in front of the snow cone stand.

Book Special Expires Sunday!

For two years my newest book has been $28.95 plus tax and postage, but it's in second printing now and I have to raise it to $31.95. This is your last chance to save.

Call Friday 8:30 until 5:30. (800) 752-4769. Order online anytime between now and 8:30 Monday morning, June 20. Not on Amazon and not in stores.

Coming Next Week...

• Success with crape myrtles
• From the Sperry garden
• Things to do next weekend
• And more, more, more!

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!)