Home & Garden

North Texas lawn and gardens: 10 ways to avoid common mistakes, pests, diseases

Stories by Fort Worth Star-Telegram journalists, with AI summarization

This collection of stories tackles the most common problems and solutions for North Texas lawns and gardens.

Summer can be brutal ... well, actually, the weather can be brutal any time of year in Texas. Our expert garden columnist Neil Sperry has written extensively about everything from assessing soils to identifying and treating diseases. He warns about planting trees too deeply or choosing fast-growing shade trees that struggle in difficult conditions. His advice includes why some native plants may not always fit your needs, and how to identify issues like chinch bugs and spider mites.

Look for new garden columns by Neil Sperry every week in the Star-Telegram.

Webworms infest several trees in the Overton and Bellaire area of Fort Worth in this file photo taken in October 2007. By Jeffery Washington

NO. 1: NORTH TEXAS GARDEN INSECTS: HOW TO GET RID OF CATERPILLAR, APHID, MITE PESTS

Gardening expert Neil Sperry has tips to protect your yard from insects before it’s too late. | Published May 29, 2025 | Read Full Story by Neil Sperry

NO. 2: WANT YOUR YARD TO SURVIVE EXTREME TEXAS HEAT? HINT: DON’T PLANT THESE TREES.

Fast growth is a liability, not an asset. | Published July 22, 2022 | Read Full Story by Neil Sperry

NO. 3: HOW OFTEN SHOULD I WATER MY PLANTS? WHY THERE’S NO GOOD ANSWER IN NORTH TEXAS

Everything you need to know about when and how often to water. | Published July 28, 2023 | Read Full Story by Neil Sperry

Tips of liriope leaves are browning, so it’s moisture stress. The problem is caused by excessive heat off reflected surfaces. By Neil Sperry

NO. 4: WHAT’S WRONG WITH MY PLANT? HOW A TEXAS GARDENING EXPERT DIAGNOSES PROBLEMS

These are the steps to figuring out what’s going on. | Published June 28, 2024 | Read Full Story by Neil Sperry

NO. 5: HOW TO DEAL WITH TOP TROUBLES KEEPING NORTH TEXAS GARDENERS ON EDGE RIGHT

Here are the pests, paradoxes and perplexities that make gardening less than rewarding. | Published August 18, 2023 | Read Full Story by Neil Sperry

A cluster of tomatoes ripen on the vine. It’s been found that tomatoes that are picked just as they start the change from green to pink, then allowed to finish their ripening on a towel or newspaper on a counter indoors, will lose none of their flavor or nutritional value. By Neil Sperry

NO. 6: SPRING BROUGHT A SLEW OF PROBLEMS TO NORTH TEXAS TOMATO PLANTS. HOW TO FIX THEM

When it comes to tomatoes, it seems we face nothing but hurdles. | Published June 14, 2024 | Read Full Story by Neil Sperry

Beds are well prepared with organic matter and will drain perfectly as well. By Neil Sperry

NO. 7: IMPORTANT FACTS ABOUT NORTH TEXAS SOILS, HOW TO PREPARE THEM

Knowing these things about soil might make you a better gardener. | Published August 2, 2024 | Read Full Story by Neil Sperry

NO. 8: HEAT ZAPS MANY NORTH TEXAS LANDSCAPES. HOW TO GIVE YOURS SOME LIFE

Container gardens can instantly brighten your outlook on the outdoors. | Published August 5, 2022 | Read Full Story by Neil Sperry

Topped crape myrtles are disfigured forever, and their bloom output is delayed and diminished. There is no excuse to top them. By Neil Sperry

NO. 9: BAD THINGS WE DO TO GOOD TREES: EXAMPLES IN NORTH TEXAS LANDSCAPES

Here’s how to avoid common problems to ensure your trees will be faithful servants for decades. | Published September 16, 2024 | Read Full Story by Neil Sperry

Plan beds to showcase your entryway to make it the focal point of your home. By Neil Sperry

NO. 10: WEATHER EXTREMES HAVE NORTH TEXANS THINKING OF NEW LANDSCAPES.

Repairing the damage from harsh winters and unforgiving summers takes time to get everything in order. | Published November 15, 2024 | Read Full Story by Neil Sperry

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.