VOLUME 12, ISSUE 28 • August 11, 2016

Neil Sperry, editor. Gretchen Drew, design.

As we in radio are known to say, "Thanks for tuning us in." I'm glad you've dialed up e-gardens, and we've prepared a really good newsletter for your hortification.

★ Texas sage has been in riotous bloom across big parts of Texas in the past week. We'll tell you more.

★ If you're a big fan of broccoli, cabbage or cauliflower, this is your time! See why.

★ Our Questions this week involve scab and killers. And they're still PG-rated. ("pert-near great")

★ And of course, your critical gardening tasks of the time.

Wow! I can hardly wait to start reading!

Photo: Texas sage, also known as ceniza or cenizo, has been in flower all week.

Gardening This Weekend

The days may all seem the same this time of year, but there are important and very timely gardening tasks to be done now. Waiting a week could spell big trouble.

Photo: Buy crape myrtles now, while nurseries still have good selections.

Cool Cole Crops

We're coming into the very best time to plant broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts for the fall garden. They're comparatively easy if you follow simple guidelines.

Photo: Cauliflower head is ready for harvest.

Native Texan Makes Good!

Texas sage, also called ceniza, is one of the best known native shrubs in our state. It's a star of the summertime, and I thought you might like to get to know it just a little bit better.

Photo: Texas sage, also called ceniza, blooms soon after rains or barometric changes.

Question of the Week

"Neil, why are so many of my pecans falling now? They have dark splotches on their husks. Are they any good?"

This is a question that comes up every August in Texas. I have the answer.

Photo: Pecans are falling already, and this is what they look like.

Question of the Week #2

"Neil, what are these large wasps that hover near the ground? Are they harmful? If so, what can we do?

These are mostly beneficial, but check out the rest of their story.

Photo: Cicada killer wasp. Photo from City Bugs website of Texas A&M Entomology.

And, in closing…

That's our masterpiece for this week. Be waiting by your e-mail mailbox next Thursday evening at 6 for your next exciting installment.

• Join me on Facebook.
• Visit our website.
• Buy a few dozen books.
• Or binge listen to all of my podcasts.

Be well. Tell friends. Send rain!

Happy Gardening!

Neil