VOLUME 13, ISSUE 25 • June 22, 2017

Neil Sperry editor. Gretchen Drew design and circulation.

We'll have more daylight this weekend than any other weekend of the year. That ought to make for a lot of good gardening, so I've prepared a really fine e-gardens:

• Attracting bees, birds and butterflies to your garden;
• Tomatoes for your fall garden start now;
• Bagworms chewing your conifers;
• Chiggers chewing your flesh; and
• Gardening tasks of the weekend.

I think you'll enjoy it, and I hope you'll click through to each of the stories.

A suggestion for your enjoyment...

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That's it. Let's get it all underway!

Photo: Grandson Alex waters our shared fall garden just after planting a few summers ago.

Bees, Birds and Butterflies

Want to attract wildlife to your garden? It starts with planting the right plants. Nurseries have some great options available right now, and I have suggestions on some of the best. I hope you'll read on.

Photo: Vitex has a glamorous visitor.

Gardening This Weekend

Time gets precious when the temperature climbs. You have to do the most critical tasks first. Read through these and get ready for the weekend ahead.

Photo: Pavonia (rock rose) is a perennial cousin of hibiscus that can be planted now.

The Case for Fall Tomatoes

I mentioned fall tomatoes on Facebook late last week and it blew up my page. They're better than the spring crop. I'm hoping you'll believe me. I have the facts.

Photo: Hard to pass these up, isn't it!

Question of the Week Number 1: June 22, 2017

"Neil, what is killing my cedar trees and arborvitae?"

They're bagworms and they're epidemic right now.

Photo: Bagworms, from Forrest Appleton on my Facebook page.

Question of the Week Number 2: June 22, 2017

"Neil, we're being eaten alive by chiggers. How can we get rid of them?"

I feel your pain, and I have suggestions.

Photo: Greatly magnified view of chigger. Remember that they're microscopic in actual size, but powerful in irritational value.

And in closing…

Put the wraps on it, but we’ll be back same time, same e-place next week.

In the meantime, if you’re in the market for some great gardening reading as you plan for fall plantings, you might look into my newest book. Remember that it’s not on Amazon and it’s not in stores. Neil Sperry’s Lone Star Gardening is only $31.95, and it’s available only from my website or by calling my office (800) 752-4769 weekdays.

If you enjoy e-gardens, please let your friends know about us. Help us move past 50,000 subscribers. Always free, and we never send out spam.

Until next week, see you on Facebook, via my podcasts, on radio, in newspapers, on my website, in church or out taking crape myrtle photos! (They’re glorious this year.)

Happy gardening!

Neil