VOLUME 18, ISSUE 29 • July 21, 2022

Neil Sperry editor. Gretchen Drew design and circulation.

Gardening This Weekend

I wouldn't send you out in this heat unless it was something really important. Here are the things you'll want to get done in these last days of July.

Photo: Let's think houseplants. One of my favorites, Parallel Peperomia (Peperomia puteolata). Hard to find, but great on a windowsill.

Native Son: Nac

All horticulturists in Texas look up to Dr. Dave Creech, retired from SFA Horticulture. Steven Chamblee tells us why.

Photo: Steven takes a selfie with his toes. Oh, and writes about Dave Creech’s columnar sweetgums.

'Tropical Giant' Spider Lily

My friend Steve Huddleston talked about this plant on his Fort Worth Botanic Garden report this past Sunday on my program on WBAP. I had several calls and notes asking about it so I decided to feature it here this week.

Photo: From Virginia Street in McKinney this week.

Still a Critical Issue

I'm getting so many pleas from people whose relatively new shrubs are cratering, and almost all sound like they're not getting enough water. Let me explain how that happens and how to control it.

Photo: This is a WATER BUBBLER. This is what you will need.

Q&A
Ask Neil

Your questions this week center on weather, then branch out (old horticultural term) to webworms and tannic acid. Click through to see how many apply to your place.

And, in closing…

Please be very careful as you're out working in your landscape or garden this weekend. Stay hydrated. Wear sunscreen. Check on others frequently. That goes for your pets and plants, too. We'll make it through this just like we made it through February 2021.

Tune me in this weekend. I'll be hoping for calls on all of my radio programs. Here's information on when and where on the dial.

Until next week, thanks for reading.

And Happy Gardening!