VOLUME 14, ISSUE 32 • August 9, 2018

Neil Sperry editor. Gretchen Drew design and circulation.

There are noteworthy things about to happen within this e-gardens. Do take a little time to scan through it.

In this issue…
• Lawngrass comparisons;
• Timely tasks of the next few days;
• Diane Sitton shows us why odd numbers are best;
• Lawn issues that are troubling Texans; and
• It's time for the cole crops.

TIME IS UP!
No more warnings. Last call! 3rd printing is being loaded onto the truck.

• Lowest price expires now! When the truck arrives Monday or Tuesday the 3rd printing of my book will go to its regular price of $33.95 (all prices plus tax, postage).
• Order now for $26.95! I will never offer this price again.
• Order online now from my website!
• Our office will be closed Friday, August 10. If you need to call to order, do so Monday, August 13. (800) 752-4769.

I will start signing books as soon as the truck arrives and in the sequence in which they were bought. It will take me approximately one week to get them all signed and mailed. Thanks for your patience.

Photo: Nothing brings better fall colors to a Texas landscape than copper plants - plant them now!

Lawngrass Comparisons

Believe it or not, we're coming into the time when all types of lawngrasses we grow here in Texas can be planted, whether from seed, sod or plugs. Yep: late August into September. I'll explain that crazy statement so you can consider your choices.

Photo: St. Augustine is only one of many turfgrass choices for Texas.

Odd Numbers Are Best

Diane Sitton has a really important design lesson for us today. It's all about why you want to use odd numbers of plants and gardening things when you plan your landscape - she has great photos to back it all up.

Photo: Threepeat. Begonia spills from three identical urns in this shady retreat.

Gardening This Weekend

We're moving toward the end of summer, and some of the tasks at hand either need to be done now or put aside until next year. You might want to check through what I've assembled for you. Some are pretty important.

Photo: Copper plants set out now will brighten the fall.

Question of the Week: August 9, 2018

"What is wrong with my lawn?"

I keep getting questions about lawns, specifically St. Augustine (left). The unusual striping on the right is less common and had me puzzled. I'll explain each of these.

Photo: Chinch bugs on left, heat tracking on right.

Time Is Here for Cole Crops

They're some of the healthiest and most popular of vegetables today, and they're all in the same plant family. Broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and their relatives should be planted in the next week or so. I have the details.

Photo: Cabbage and kale transplants almost ready for planting.

And, in closing…

That's it for e-gardens for this week. I'll be busily signing books with one hand and typing e-gardens with the other next week, but we'll be back with another edition. I hope you'll join us.

In the meantime, join me on Facebook, on my website where we have podcasts of my radio programs and in many Texas newspapers. And I'll see you in church this Sunday morning.

Until then, thanks for reading,

And happy gardening!

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