VOLUME 12, ISSUE 33 • September 15, 2016

Neil Sperry editor. Gretchen Drew design and circulation.

Are you loving this fall weather? I am, too. It gives us hope to get back out in the garden to tweak things that are just a little off-course. It's also a great time to implement those fall landscaping projects.

Here's what I've assembled for you this week:
• Gardening This Weekend (things to get done),
• One of the finest fall flowers,
• When a plant stays too wet…
• The most obnoxious lawn weed of fall,
• And more than you want to know about grub worms.

Photo: Mexican bush sage is a showstopper in fall Texas gardens.

Gardening This Weekend

September is fabulous! It's cooling off enough to be enjoyable, and there are a lot of critical tasks that need to be done in short order. Here is my list. Hope you find it useful.

Photo: It’s time to divide iris and other spring-blooming perennials.

Plant of the Week

Salvias have been mainstays of Texas landscaping for the past 25 years. This is one of the finest. At a time when Monarchs are migrating, it's a great resting spot for them, too. How to grow it.

Photo: Mexican bush sage, Salvia leucantha, is a popular fall bloomer.

Grub Worms: The Whole Story

These larval forms of June beetles, aka "June bugs," get blamed for a lot of dead turf. But how do you know? I'll tell you.

Photo: Through history, white grub worms have been very damaging to Texas lawns. But are they now?

Question of the Week #1

"Neil, my Dragon Wing begonia doesn't look too good. What might be causing it to lose its color and wilt?"

Photo: This Dragon Wing answer holds a couple of surprises.

Question of the Week #2

"Neil, what is this wiry little weed that is all over our yard? More importantly, how can we eliminate it?"

Before you decide this is a pretty little wildflower as some will do, better see what I've written.

Photo: Roadside aster is coming into full bloom across Texas right now.

And, in closing…

Gretchen Drew does all the hard work of putting e-gardens together each week. I just write and supply photos. We both hope you enjoy what we've assembled for you this week.

I'll be back here next week at this time, but in that meantime, I hope you'll join me on Facebook, via my podcasts (we will have them updated no later than Monday) and on the radio.

Tell all you see on the street about e-gardens! Just think of the good deed you'll be doing them!

Until next week, happy gardening!

Neil

If you don't have my newest book, I hope you'll take a look. Remember, it's not in stores and not on Amazon. Find out more here.