VOLUME 12, ISSUE 29 • August 18, 2016

Neil Sperry editor. Gretchen Drew design and circulation.

Nice week, this week's been. Cooler weather plus rain equals happier gardeners.

This week's e-gardens features

• My favorite annual at the best time for planting,

• Two questions that I hear time after time,

• Steven Chamblee's journey to the north,

• And our critical tasks for the weekend.

And coming next week…

• All the details for fall application of pre-emergent weedkillers. Timing is critical and we'll be right on time with the tips. Do not miss them.

Photo: Zinnias are ready to put on their big fall show.

Gardening This Weekend

I mentioned on the air recently that things are heading back into gotta-do speed as we end summer and head into early fall. We've been able to say "I'll do that tomorrow, when I feel more like it." But no longer. I've done a little prioritizing for you.

Photo: Spider lily bulbs planted now will bloom for Septembers to come.

Best Zinnias Ever!

Your finest tall zinnias in Texas will almost always be your fall zinnias, and planting time is here now. That may seem odd, but I'll explain the details.

Photo: Zinnias in fall can be fabulous!

Native Son: Montana

Steven Chamblee is one of Texas’ finest horticulturists. But even Steven (remember that I rhymed that one) goes out of state once in a while. His photos are gorgeous and his writing is as good as it gets.

Photo: Just one of many beautiful photos Steven Chamblee took recently in Montana.

Question of the Week #1

"Neil, my trees are losing big chunks of bark. Is this something that should concern me?”

It's quite disarming when you see trees peeling like this. But is it a problem? Maybe yes. Maybe no.

Photo: Crape myrtle bark is peeling freely.

Question of the Week #2

"Neil, I’m losing big parts of my juniper. What causes this? Can I stop it?"

This is a common issue with Blue Point, Spartan and several other junipers.

Photo: Photo of a Blue Point juniper posted to my Facebook page.

And, in closing…

That's what we gathered for you this week. I hope you enjoy e-gardens each week. Here are a couple of favors:

• Please tell friends about us.
• Please tell our advertisers you read us. Their ads here will take you to their websites.
• Join me on Facebook.
• And tune me in on the radio and via my podcasts.

Happy weekend, and Happy Gardening!

Neil