VOLUME 13, ISSUE 22 • June 1, 2017

Neil Sperry editor. Gretchen Drew design and circulation.

 
 
 
 

Hi, and hello! And welcome to June! That changes our game plan for gardening, and I have the details in this week's e-gardens.

Here's what I've prepared…
• Gardening this weekend (always our most popular);
• Blackberry time;
• Pentas - this is your year to plant them;
• Questions of the Week: Dallisgrass and is there a grass for the shade?


Photo: Neil’s newest book
showing sample pages

Book Offer Wrapping Up – 11 Days Left!
Don't wait any longer. If you want my newest book, Neil Sperry's Lone Star Gardening for the sale price of only $29.95 (plus tax, postage), order it now. Signed copy (inscribed if you wish). Not in stores. Not on Amazon. Not a revision of my 1991 "boot book." All books ship from my office. Hardback. Printed in Texas! 840 photos. 344 pages. Satisfaction guaranteed. Order from my website or call weekdays 9-5:30: (800) 752-4769. (It makes a great Father's Day gift, but order immediately.)

Photo: One of the shades of pentas in summer. Bees like 'em, too.

 
 
 
   

Gardening This Weekend

Any way you cut it, summer is just about here. I've lined up the most critical tasks of this first weekend of June. Take a look through the list to see which need to go on your notepad.

Photo: Patio pots and hanging baskets (like this begonia) require frequent watering, feeding.

 
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Blackberry Time in Texas

Blackberries have been ripening across Texas the past couple of weeks and my bet is that you're wanting in on that action. They're among our easiest fruit crops. I'll tell you how.

Photo: Fresh harvest of Texas blackberries.

 
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Pentas Come of Age

Over the decades pentas have become some of our most popular summer annuals for sun or part sun. They're great in beds and pots, and you can still plant them successfully. Let's talk about pentas.

Photo: One of the cooling shades of pentas in summer. They’re bee-friendly as well.

 
 
 
   

Question of the Week #1: June 1, 2017

"Neil, my lawn is being overrun with dallisgrass. What can I do?"

That's a much more difficult answer now than it was 8 or 10 years ago, but I'll tackle it anyway.

Photo: Dallisgrass is very difficult to eliminate.

 
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Question of the Week #2: June 1, 2017

"Neil, I am going to start my lawn over completely. Someone told me zoysia would be a good choice. Will it tolerate 3 hours of sunlight?"

NO! Zoysias are not good in heavy shade. I’ll give a critical explanation.

Photo: These plants go where turfgrasses failed in the Sperry backyard.

 
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On a closing note…

Put a fork in me. I'm done. That's it for e-gardens for another whole week. But we'll be back with more goodies same time, same e-mailbox next week.

Remember to order my book if you'd like to get it on sale (details above). And look for me on the radio, on Facebook, on podcasts, in your local newspaper and at my website. (I sound like a stalker.)

Have a great gardening week. I'll see you in church!

Happy Gardening!

Neil