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Gardening in North Texas: Tips for saving your yard from summer heat

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

North Texas gardening expert Neil Sperry, who writes a weekly column in the Star-Telegram, is a wealth of knowledge about keeping your yard and landscape alive and healthy during brutal summers. Here are a few of his tips.

Dichondra is easily controlled with broad leafed weedkiller spray.

TIME TO FOCUS ON SUMMER HEAT. TO-DO LIST FOR NORTH TEXAS GARDENERS

The real deal is just around the corner. Here’s how to get ready. | Published May 26, 2023 | Read Full Story by Neil Sperry

A live oak in park with sunscald starting to appear. You normally see vertical cracks developing in the bark the second or third year. Soon thereafter the bark separates and peels away from the wood of the trunk.

NORTH TEXAS SUMMERS BRING OUT WORST IN SHADE TREES. HOW TO CARE FOR THEM

Here are some of the things that are front and foremost on people’s minds. | Published August 4, 2023 | Read Full Story by Neil Sperry

Transplant marigolds in bud but not full bloom for growing and blooming in fall’s cooler weather.

TIME TO PLANT THESE THINGS IN YOUR GARDEN. YES, IN SUMMER HEAT

Trust Neil Sperry on this one. | Published August 11, 2023 | Read Full Story by Neil Sperry

Yellowing shows water shortages for mulberry not iron deficiency. By Neil Sperry

KEEPING YOUR LAWN ALIVE AND HEALTHY DURING THE HOTTEST MONTHS

Look for these early warning signs of potential problems. | Published May 16, 2025 | Read Full Story by Neil Sperry

Great care of shade trees, like this new red oak, begins the day they are planted. By Neil Sperry

WHEN & HOW TO WATER YOUR TREES DURING SUMMER HEAT

Garden expert Neil Sperry tells us what we need to do to keep our valuable shade trees healthy and happy! | Published May 22, 2025 | 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.