VOLUME 20, ISSUE 34 • August 22, 2024

Neil Sperry editor. Gretchen Drew design and circulation.

It's been an interesting week to say the least. More on that in my conclusion. In the meantime,

In this issue…
• Pothos all over the place;
• This weekend's top jobs;
• Perky, pretty peppers;
• Diane Sitton's garden art galleries; and
• Your questions and my answers.

NEIL SPERRY'S LONE STAR GARDENING

Still only $34.95
for a little while longer

You would expect to pay more because…
• It's a hardback printed on high-quality paper.
• It has 344 pages and 840 photographs.
• You may not need any other gardening reference - it covers landscapes, lawns, fruit, flower, and vegetable gardens for every county in Texas.
• I'll sign your copy before I box it and take it to the post office.
• I'll personally guarantee your satisfaction, or I'll refund every penny.

Note: It's not in stores and not on Amazon.

Buy directly from my website
Or call my office weekdays
(800) 752-4769

Photo: Golden pothos still ranks as one of America's favorite houseplants.

Gardening This Weekend

Parts of Northeast Texas had an early taste of fall these past few days while the Big Country was setting record high temperatures. Let’s hope fall is coming soon. Here’s your list of this week’s critical tasks.

Photo: Pot up some coleus for instant late-summer color for shade.

Displaying décor "gallery style"

Diane Sitton shows us how our gardens’ fences and walls can become ways to feature garden décor, whether it’s a single piece of art or a collection.

Photo: The vines become the frame of this dramatic piece of garden art.

Add Spice to Your Fall Color Program

I've been a lifelong fan of ornamental peppers since our next door neighbor grew them along her white picket fence every fall. And they've just gotten better thanks to the great work of the world's plant breeders. Let's take a look.

Photo: Their colors are constantly changing as the fruit matures day by day.

Pothos on parade

Remember a year ago when I showed you my devil's ivy cuttings rooting in three glass jars on our countertop? There was more to that story than I told you back then, but I'm prepared to share it today. Click through to see.

Photo: Pothos plants visiting the Sperry home landscape this summer.

Q&A – Ask Neil

Predictably, questions this week concentrated on the hot, dry weather, but you also showed me the worst case of powdery mildew I've seen in years, and a pest of grape leaves. Take a look.

And, in closing…

Some weeks you wonder why you even got up! Lynn and I were both hit with Covid at the beginning of last weekend. We've had all our shots, but I guess it was just our turn. It's been an effort simply keeping the home campground going.

Special thanks to our son Brian who's been bringing us food and grandson Sam who's been tending to Zeus. And, to everyone else who has offered to help.

My goal is to be back on the air this weekend, so I hope you'll give me a listen and give me a call. In the meantime, reach out to help others who need you. It's tough being a human out there!

Love to you all!

Happy gardening!

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