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Greetings!
Are we done with winter? Well, I'm going out on a limb here when I saw this -- a pecan tree limb. I think the winter is over. The pecan tree at Papershell is budding and you know what they always say: when the pecan tree begins to leaf out, then spring is well and truly upon us.
 | | Future Pecan Leaves! |
There's something rejuvenating about the bright chartreuse green color of spring. It's the color of new beginnings and signals a very exciting time in the garden center world. It seems like trucks are arriving every day, bringing us wonderful new things to offer you.
We've got lots of great classes coming up for you -- read more about my friend Christina's wonderful class on container design below. This Sunday is an oveview of spring gardening topics, from flowers to veggies to lawn care. Plus, I'll introduce some of the new varieties of spring flowers and veggies that will be available this year!
 | | Ceramic Boots, Cathleen Disney |
There are lots of great new pieces in the gallery too! Next time you're in the neighborhood, stop by and see Lee Steiner's new paper works, and new ceramic pieces by artist Cathleen Disney.
Thanks for signing up for our email newsletter! Come see us soon! |
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Our Kind of Irises
There are three sorts of plants we call irises that do extremely well in our area -- my favorite are Louisiana irises. Blooming with every color under the rainbow, Louisiana irises are hardy plants, able to tolerate our torrential downpours as well as periods of prolonged drought. These irises have a relatively wide, blue-green leaf and are easily grown in sunny or mostly sunny locations. Their very favorite spot would be a low bed or pond edge where they can be flooded occasionally during the winter and dry out a bit in summer. They like to be planted high, just barely beneath the soil, and mulched heavily during the summer. Fertilize after the bloom cycle has ended with either composted manure or a balanced garden fertilizer.
 | | Louisiana Iris |
African irises, though not actually a true iris, are also very well adapted to our area. Maybe too well adapted -- they can be very assertive in the garden and will need to be divided from time to time! African irises, sometimes called Bicolor irises, bloom best in a sunny location but can also tolerate partial shade. Cut the leaf blades back now (in early spring) to about 6" and allow the new growth to emerge.
 | | African (Bicolor) Iris |
Very similar to African irises, the Butterfly iris is also an African iris, but with a lavender and white flower. I think the Butterfly iris holds its flowers a little higher on the stem than the African iris does, so the blooms are showier. This iris-like flower also spreads via rhizomes, so eventually your clump will need to be divided and shared with a friend. I rarely find it necessary to cut the Butterfly back.
 | | Butterfly Iris |
All three irises are available now at Papershell.
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Visit From A Garden Celeb!
It's our lucky day! Christina Salwitz, aka the Personal Garden Coach, is making a special trip to the Houston area from her home in Washington State. We've talked her into doing a special container workshop on Sunday morning, March 18 at 11:00am just for Papershell customers.
 | | Christina Salwitz |
Christina has worked in world-class nurseries as a buyer and merchandiser for more than 20 years and is an acclaimed container designer, photographer and teacher. Her design work has been displayed at the 2011 Northwest Flower & Garden Show and she is a contributor to garden magazines like Fine Gardening, Horticulture, Birds & Blooms, and Container Gardening Magazine. She will be featuring in the upcoming issue of Container Garden magazine and has contributed photos to any number of best-selling gardening books.
Here's just a taste of Christina's flair for container design -- you can see more on her blog or get to know her via her Pinterest boards.
 | | One of Christina's Arrangements |
I hope you can join us for this special container workshop. Registration is $10 and like always, class participants receive a coupon valid for that day's purchases. Please sign up early -- if you've taken a class with us before, you know space is limited. Give us a call soon!
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Gotta Plant Veggies...
Now is the time! Plant those tomatoes! Get those seeds in the ground! We are at the very beginning of the spring gardening season in our area. Tomatoes and peppers are changing daily but here's what we have in stock today:
 | | Matt's Wild Cherry |
Tomatoes - Marglobe (heirloom), Viva Italia, Big Beef, Roma, Fresh Salsa (new!), Matt's Wild Cherry (actually wild!), Better Boy, Champion, Celebrity, Sweet Million, Sweet Chelsea, Better Bush, Beefy Boy, Early Girl and Bush Early Girl.
Sweet Peppers - Carmen, Cajun Belle, Golden Summer, Big Bertha, Purple Beauty, Orange Blaze, California Wonder.
 | | Lemon Drop |
Hot Peppers - El Jefe, Ancho San Martin, Numex Big Jim, Lemon Drop, Mariachi, Inferno, Mucho Nacho, TAM Mild Jalapeno, Big Bomb, and Bulgarian Carrot.
It's still just a little cool at night for summer veggies, so save room in your garden for melons, southern peas, sweet potatoes and okra. But almost everything else is ready to go from either seeds or plants.
Did you know that some vegetables are actually easier to grow from seeds than from transplants? Beans, peas, carrots and radishes don't transplant well so you're better off planting them from seed. And lettuce, spinach and other greens are just so darn easy to grow from seed that might as well give them a try! Peppers and tomatoes need heat to germinate and sometimes people find it easier to start from transplants.
 | | Jalapeno Mucho Nacho |
Are you wondering how to make the most of your spring garden? This Sunday is a general overview of spring gardening topics, including flowers & veggies. On Sunday the 26, Diana Liga covers the spring tomato in great detail. And on Sunday, April 29, she'll talk about the summer garden. Join us for one of these informative classes! |
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Get The Grass Going!
Now that the weather's warming up and we're getting some regular rain, the grass is starting to grow, and you know what that means! It's time to fertilize your lawns and get your lawnmowers ready to go for another mowing season.
 | | Read the label! |
Granular fertilizers all need to be watered in, so pick a day when the lawn is not already soaking wet to fertilize. Check your spreader settings with the label on your fertilizer and try to spread it in two different directions. For example, walk your spreader north-to-south across your lawn and then again east-to-west. This helps ensure an even application of fertilizer. If you get fertilizer on the sidewalk or driveway, sweep it up, don't use the hose to wash it into the storm sewers. Nitrogen run-off is a big source of water pollution.
The average quarter-acre lot is about 10,000 square feet, and after subtracting the house and paving area, most suburban lawns are about 3,500-5,000 square feet. This will help you decide how many bags of fertilizer you'll need.
 | | Lush! |
Now's also a good time to make sure your lawnmower blade is sharp and the mower is in good shape. Raise the mower deck so that you're only removing 1/3 of the leaf blade each time you mow. Leave the clippings on the lawn -- they return organic matter to the soil and will not cause thatch buildup if you don't overfertilize.
If you missed the sharpening event at Papershell, you can still find Premier Sharpening at the Imperial Farmer's Market on Saturdays. Bring your dull blades with you! They'll sharpen knives, clippers, pruners, shovels, hoes, lawnmower blades and other straight bladed tools. (No chainsaws.) |
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Please stop by and visit! Have a glass of world-famous lemonade (or a beer!) -- we'd love to meet you!
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Barrow
Papershell: A Garden Gallery
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Visit us at the Market! Saturdays, Jan. 7 through Feb. 25 9:00am-1:00pm Papershell will have a booth at the Sugar Land Farmer's Market at Imperial Sugar on Saturdays! We'll feature the work of our artists and offer fresh veggies from 2 local farms! Here's a map to the location.
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Spring into Gardening! Sunday, February 19 2:00-3:30pm Get the season off on the right foot! This class, led by Papershell owner Elizabeth Barrow, touches on getting the spring garden moving and includes topics such as lawn care, veggies and flowers. Class fee is $10. Each participant receives a coupon good for 15% of today's purchases. Reservations suggested: call (281) 232-4485 or email us to sign up.
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Growing Spring Tomatoes Sunday, February 26 2:00-3:30pm The first of our two short tomato-growing seasons is upon us! Learn to avoid problems and grow the best tomatoes ever, organically! This class is taught by horticulturist Diana Liga. Class fee is $10. Each participant receives a coupon good for 15% of today's purchases. Reservations suggested: call (281) 232-4485 or email us to sign up.
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Build A Bed, Part 2 Saturday, March 3 3:00-4:30pm Want to install a brand-new flowerbed but don't know how to go about it? This class builds on Part 1, and covers plant selection, sun exposure, design tips and more. Class fee is $10. Each participant receives a coupon good for 15% of today's purchases. Reservations suggested: call (281) 232-4485 or email us to sign up.
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Convert Your Veggie Garden to Drip Irrigation Sunday, March 4 2:00-3:30pm Drip irrigation saves water and time! Learn to install a simple drip system for your veggie garden. We'll cover automated and manual systems, with hands-on demonstrations. Class fee is $10. Each participant receives a coupon good for 15% of today's purchases. Reservations suggested: call (281) 232-4485 or email us to sign up.
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Seed Saving: Flowers & Vegetables Sunday, March 11 2:00-3:30pm Learn to collect and store flower and vegetable seeds for future growing seasons! This class features horticulturist Diana Liga of The Garden Insectary. Class fee is $10. Each participant receives a coupon good for 15% of today's purchases. Reservations suggested: call (281) 232-4485 or email us to sign up.
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After-Hours Terrarium Party! Friday, March 16 4:00-6:00pm It's a happy hour for plants! Make a terrarium, have a glass of wine and a snack -- lots of fun! We'll supply containers or you can bring your own. Space is seriously limited for this one -- you simply MUST register in advance. This workshop is $15 and includes soil, charcoal, instructions, wine & snacks! Master Gardener Jane Gray leads this fun workshop. Reservations required - call (281) 232-4485 or email us to sign up.
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