VOLUME 15, ISSUE 33 • August 15, 2019

Neil Sperry editor. Gretchen Drew design and circulation.

Smack dab, we're in the middle of August! That puts the pressure on us as gardeners. There are a lot of things that simply must be done right away. One of them is to read e-gardens.

Here's what you'll find in this issue…
• Those "must-do" tasks for this weekend;
• The biggest wax begonias ever;
• Last call to beat up on nutsedge;
• Browned leaf tips and edges; and
• A special message from Steven Chamblee.

Shortest book mention ever…

This book can pay for itself within 6 months…
That's a bold claim to make, but I believe Chapter 2, my 48-page calendar of when to do all the important landscape and garden tasks will accomplish it all by itself.

You'll get 10 other chapters covering basics of gardening in Texas, trees, shrubs, vines, groundcovers, annuals, perennials, lawns, fruit and vegetables - and covering them exhaustively.

344 pages and 840 of my best photos. Hardback and printed in Texas to keep Texas printers working.

I sign every copy and I guarantee your satisfaction completely.

Not in stores and not on Amazon. Order from my website or call my office weekdays 9-5 at (800) 752-4769.

Neil Sperry's Lone Star Gardening Only $33.95 plus tax and postage!

Photo: Marigolds set out now will be glorious all fall.

Gardening This Weekend

Mid-August is like the Continental Divide when it comes to many gardening activities. It's a watershed time and you need to be sure you get the time-sensitive tasks all taken care of. See what I've listed for the next several days.

Photo: Marigolds planted now (in bud, but not in bloom) will provide brilliant colors all fall.

Native Son

My buddy Steven Chamblee is one of Texas’ finest horticulturists and one of my finest friends. However, he tells us of some big changes coming soon to a life near him.

Photo: Steven with the succulent cake.

Last Chance for Nutsedge

If you've been fighting the battle with nutsedge ("nutgrass") all summer, you can take a deep breath. Soon you won't have to fight any longer. Treatment season is just about over. But wait! That's not good news. This is your last warning. Better read what I've written!

Photo: Nutsedge is one of the most difficult of all weeds to eliminate.

They earned their name "Whopper"

Some of you are already familiar with Whopper begonias. They were named Texas SuperStar Plants® by Texas A&M research horticulturists in 2016, and nothing has happened to change that high honor since. Let me tell you about them in case you haven't tried them.

Photo: Whopper begonias are just plain LARGE!

Question of the Week: August 15, 2019

"Why are my plant's leaves turning brown around the edges like this?"

This is a very common question, especially this time of year. I'll explain what might be happening.

Photo: Redbud is struggling.

And, in closing…

That's what we've prepared for e-gardens for this week, but I'm already assembling ideas for next week, same time and same e-mailbox. It's amazing how much there is to talk about even in August.

So until then, here's hoping you'll visit my website and download my podcasts, catch me live on the radio, or friend me on Facebook. I write for 15 Texas newspapers, and I've been known to hang out in burger joints, also at church with my family. So if you see me, say "Hi." That's always fun.

Until next week, thanks for reading…

And happy gardening!

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