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This Newsletter is a project of The Lazy Gardener, Brenda Smith and John Ferguson and Mark Bowen of Nature's Way Resources. We also have a great cast of contributors writers who will chime in regularly.
 
 

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  • NEWSETTER 173rd EDITION  (9/16/2016)
  • - THE INS AND OUTS OF PUTTING TOGETHER A GARDEN TOUR by Linda Garren-McKillip & Leslie Wong.
    - JOHN'S CORNER, BOOK REVIEW: SCIENCE FOR SALE by David Lewis.
  • NEWSLETTER 172ND EDITION   (9/9/2016)
  • - LISTENING TO THE PROS . . . FOR HAPPINESS & PRETTY PLANTS! by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - FENG SHUI YOUR GARDEN FOR A HAPPY HOME by Katherine Ashby.
    - PRUNING PRETTY PLANTS FOR PERENNIAL PLEASURE by Linda Gay, Horticulturist and Gardener.
    - JOHN'S CORNER: NEWS FROM THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF SOIL AND PLANTS.
  • NEWSLETTER 171ST EDITION   (9/2/2016)
  • - KNOW YOUR SALVIAS! . . . WORTH READING . . . FAREWELL TO A FRIEND by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - JOHN'S CORNER: NEWS FROM THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF SOIL AND PLANTS.
  • NEWSLETTER 170TH EDITION  (8/26/2016)
  • - EXPANDING THE HORIZONS OF OUR NATIVE HIBISCUS by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - CREATING NEW FLOWER COLORS IN WINTER-HARDY HIBISCUS by Dr. Dariusz Malinowski, Professor, Texas A&M AgriLife Research.
    - JOHN'S CORNER: NEWS FROM THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF SOIL AND PLANTS.
  • NEWSLETTER 169TH EDITION   (8/19/2016)
  • - A CORNUCOPIA OF PLACES TO LEARN & BUY, ESPECIALLY OUR NATIVES! by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - NATIVE PLANTS - SOLUTION FOR "GUMBO GARDENERS"! by Margaret Gnewuch, Russ Kane & James Holmes, Native Plant Society of Texas, Houston Chapter.
    - JOHN'S CORNER: Pothos Ivy - A Gardeners Tale.
  • NEWSLETTER 168TH EDITION   (8/15/2016)
  • - IKE + NEIL + GRAPES + OAK ISLAND-TOUGH FOLKS = LUCY TIME! by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - ALIEN CIRCLES IN THE LAWN? by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - JOHN'S CORNER: NUT SEDGE CAN DRIVE GARDENERS NUTS!
  • NEWSLETTER 167TH EDITION  (7/29/2016)
  • - GREAT GARDENING HELP . . . PLUS A FEW YEHS & MOANS by Brenada Beust Smith.
    - TOP TEN BIGGEST POSITIVE CHANGES -- HORTICULTURALLY SPEAKING FOR HOUSTON IN THE PAST 20 YEARS by Randy Lemmon.
    - JOHN'S CORNER: NEWS FROM THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF SOIL AND PLANTS.
  • NEWSLETTER 166TH EDITION   (7/23/2016)
  • - BE PATIENT . . . FALL IS PERHAPS OUR BEST BLOOMING SEASON . . . SO PROTECT THOSE ROSES NOW! by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - "It Is As Hot As H____" By Baxter Williams, ARS Master Rosarian.
    - JOHN'S CORNER: NEWS FROM THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF SOIL AND PLANTS.
  • NEWSLETTER 165th EDITION  (7/15/2016)
  • - WINNING PLANTS - MAKE SURE THEY'RE GOOD FOR US! . . . TEXAS BUTTERFLY EFFECT.
    - JOHN'S CORNER: NEWS FROM THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF SOIL AND PLANTS.
  • NEWSLETTER 164th EDITION  (7/1/2016)
  • - CELEBRATING TREASURED FLORA FRIENDS by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - JOHN'S CORNER: NEWS FROM THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF SOIL AND PLANTS.
  • NEWSLETTER 163rd EDITION   (6/24/2016)
  • - A TALE OF TWO CLEVER CURTILAGES by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - EDIBLE LANDSCAPING IN YOUR FRONT YARD by Ron Ritcher, Harris County Master Gardener.
    - JOHN'S CORNER: NEWS FROM THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF SOIL AND PLANTS.
  • NEWSLETTER 162nd EDITION  (6/17/2016)
  • - MORE POLLINATOR PLANTS! . . . UPCOMING DELIGHTS by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - JOHN'S CORNER: NEWS FROM THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF SOIL AND PLANTS.
  • NEWSLETTER 161ST EDITION  (6/10/2016)
  • - POLLINATORS - WE CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT THEM by Brenda Beust Smith,
    - JOHN'S CORNER: NEWS FROM THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF SOIL AND PLANTS.
  • NEWSLETTER 160TH EDITION   (6/3/2016)
  • - CELEBRATE GARDENING EXERCISE DAY! . . . MY FLOWERS . . . A FUN "HISTORICAL" DISCOVERY . . . TREASURES FROM MERCER by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - JOHN'S CORNER: NEWS FROM THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF SOIL AND PLANTS.
  • NEWSLETTER 159TH EDITION  (5/31/2016)
  • - FABULOUSLY FRAGRANT PLUMERIAS . . . FAVORITE TREES by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - PLUMERIAS IN THE SPOTLIGHT! by Paula Furtwangler, Past President Plumeria Society Of America.
    - JOHN'S CORNER: NEWS FROM THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF SOIL AND PLANTS.
  • NEWSLETTER 158TH EDITION   (5/20/2016)
  • - WORLD COMES TO SEE HOUSTON BROMELIADS & A TIP O' THE TROWEL TO A NATIVES LOVER by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - WORLD SPOTLIGHT ON BROMELIADS by Rick and Carol Richtmyer, Bromeliad Society /Houston.
    - JOHN'S CORNER: NEWS FROM THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF SOIL AND PLANTS.
  • NEWSLETTER 157TH EDITION  (5/13/2016)
  • - BAD LUCK PLANTS? . . . 'GULF COAST WRANGLER' . . . PLEASE SAVE MY SAD SAGO! by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - JOHN'S CORNER: NEWS FROM THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF SOIL AND PLANTS.
  • NEWSLETTER 156th EDITION   (5/6/2016)
  • - AH, THOSE WERE THE DAYLILY DAYS . . . CREATIVE PLANT LABELS by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - WHY MINIS? by Paula Payne.
    - JOHN'S CORNER: NEWS FROM THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF SOIL AND PLANTS.
  • NEWSLETTER 155th EDITION   (4/29/2016)
  • - WHEN HUMMERS GO TO WHAT FLOWERS . . . BANNER BLOOM YEAR . . . PLANTS FOR A BIBLE GARDEN by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - A BIBLE GARDEN by Becky Lowicki, Harris County Master Gardener.
    - JOHN'S CORNER: NEWS FROM THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF SOIL AND PLANTS.
  • NEWSLETTER 154th EDITION  (4/22/2016)
  • - PONDS & TRANQUILITY . . . GARDENERS IN NEWS . . . SWAP THOSE PLANTS! by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - JOHN'S CORNER: NEWS FROM THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF SOIL AND PLANTS.
  • NEWSLETTER 153rd EDITION   (4/15/2016)
  • - LEARNING FROM THE ROSE PROS . . . LOVE HERBS? LOVE PETER! . . . MEA CULPAS . . . ATTRACTING BENEFICIALS by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - IT'S A BUG-EAT-BUG WORLD! By Angela Chandler - The Garden Academy, www.thegardenacademy.com, www.facebook.com/thegardenacademy
    - JOHN'S CORNER: NEWS FROM THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF SOIL AND PLANTS by John Ferguson.
  • NEWSLETTER 152nd EDITION  (4/8/2016)
  • - HILL COUNTRY WILDFLOWERS - WOW! . . . EARTH DAY DELIGHTS by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - TIME TO PLANT PALMS! by O. J. MILLER, Galveston County Master Gardener.
    - JOHN'S CORNER, TIP OF THE WEEK: MOSQUITO REPELLENTS, by John Ferguson.
  • NEWSLETTER 151ST EDITION  (3/29/2016)
  • - GREAT LANDSCAPE TREES . . . AND FLOWERS . . . by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - JOHN'S CORNER: Book Review, "The Hidden Half of Nature: The Microbial Roots of Life and Health", David Montgomery and Anne Bikle, W.W. Norton and Company, 2016, ISBN: 978-0-393-24440-3.
  • NEWSLETTER 150TH EDITION  (3/18/2016)
  • - HOW 'IN' IS YOUR YARD? . . .TRACKING MONARCHS . . . WALL GARDENS by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - GROWING ROSES ON FORTUNIANA ROOTSTOCK "THE WAY TO GROW", by Don Adlong, Houston Rose Society - www.houstonrose.org.
    - JOHN'S CORNER: NEWS FROM THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF SOIL AND PLANTS.
  • NEWSLETTER 149TH EDITION  (3/11/2016)
  • - PLANT THOSE EASTER LILIES! . . . TOUGHIES FROM THE SEASIDE . . . STAGHORN DELIGHTS . . . TREASURES FROM MERCER by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - CUTTINGS FROM THE GARDEN FOR INDOOR ENJOYMENT by Amy Neugebauer CFD, TMF.
    - JOHN'S CORNER: GARDENING NEWS by John Ferguson.
  • NEWSLETTER 148TH EDITION  (3/7/2016)
  • - SUPER BOWL & "TREE BALL 2017" TO HELP BEAUTIFY HOUSTON . . . TWEF CHILDREN'S GARDEN by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - NO AH-CHOO! AROUND VIBURNUMS by Dave Creech.
    - NEWS FROM THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF SOIL AND PLANTS by John Ferguson.
  • NEWSLETTER 147TH EDITION   (2/29/2016)
  • - LOVING NATIVES . . . LAWN FLOWERS . . . BLOOMING TREES by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - HIBISCUS -- PRUNING & ROOTING CUTTINGS by Marti Graves American Hibiscus Society - Lone Star Chapter.
    - JOHN'S CORNER: FOOD FOR THOUGHT.
  • NEWSLETTER 146TH EDITION   (2/19/2016)
  • - SNAKE-Y SUGGESTIONS . . . TIME TO SMELL THE VIOLETS . . . TOP FLOWERS VOTE by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - SELLING YOUR EXTRA HARVESTS by Jacob Martin, Mercer Botanic Gardens Greenhouse Manager.
    - JOHN'S CORNER: Some Of My Favorite Mail Order Nurseries.
  • NEWSLETTER 145TH EDITION   (2/12/2016)
  • - FANTASTIC LILIES FOR HOUSTON . . . MORE SURPRISE FEBRUARY BLOOMERS! by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - NATURALIZING BULBS by by Linda Gay, Horticulturist.
  • NEWSLETTER 144TH EDITION  (2/5/2016)
  • - GETTING IN THE MOOD FOR VALENTINE'S DAY . . . FEBRUARY EDIBLE HARVESTS by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - TEN MISTAKES IN PRUNING ROSES By Baxter Williams, Houston Rose Society.
  • NEWSLETTER 143rd EDITION  (2/1/2016)
  • - REAPING THE EVERCHANGING JOY (& BENEFITS) OF GARDENS . . . AND SHADE by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - THE HOLISTIC GARDEN by Joe Novak.
    - GUDRUN LOVES GARDENING IN SHADE! by Gudrun Opperman.
    - JOHN'S CORNER: Tip Of The Week, Plastic Water Bottles.
  • NEWSLETTER 142ND EDITION   (1/23/2016)
  • - HOUSTON'S HORTICULTURAL SCENE -- MAJOR CHANGES COMING! by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - HOUSTON BOTANIC GARDEN MEETING CHALLENGES & EXPANDING HORIZONS from WEST 8 & HOUSTON BOTANIC GARDEN.
    - JOHN'S CORNER: A BOOK REVIEW, he DRUNKEN BOTANIST- The Plants That Create the World's Great Drinks,
    By Amy Stewart, Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill, 2013, ISBN: 978-1-61620-046-6.
  • NEWSLETTER 141ST EDITION   (1/15/2016)
  • - COLD WEATHER COLOR by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - TOP 10 MISTAKES GARDENERS MAKE WITH FRUIT TREES by Bob Dailey, Montgomery County Master Gardeners.
    - WEEDS AND HERBICIDES: ROUND-UP - UPDATE 3 by John Ferguson.
  • NEWSLETTER 140TH EDITION   (1/8/2016)
  • - ONLY THING PREDICTABLE ABOUT OUR WEATHER IS ITS TOTAL LACK OF PREDICTABILITY - SO KEEP A JOURNAL! by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - JOURNALING - YOU'LL BE SO GLAD YOU STARTED ONE by Tiffany McElweenie, Naturalist, Houston Arboretum & Nature Center.
  • NEWSLETTER 139TH EDITION  (1/13/2016)
  • NEWSLETTER 138TH EDITION  (12/25/2015)
  • We hope 2016 is your best year ever!
    John, Mark & Brenda.
  • NEWSLETTER 137 EDITION  (12/18/2015)
  • - CAMELLIAS - QUEENS OF THE GARDEN . . . PLANT THOSE POINSETTIAS! . . . ANGEL OR DEVIL TRUMPETS? . . . by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - AND YOUR BEST CAMELLIAS ARE . . .by Donald Marcotte, President Coushatta Camellia Society www.coushattacamelliasociety.com
    - BOOK REVIEW: Biochar - Production, Characterization, and Applications, Edited by Yong Sik Ok, Sophie Uchimiya, Scott Chang, Nanthi Bolan, CRC Press, 2016, ISBN: 13: 978-1-4822-4229-4
  • NEWSLETTER 136TH EDITION  (12/11/2015)
  • - A WALTON CHRISTMAS CACTUS MEMORY . . . HOW DID TIM & HEIDI KNOW WHAT 2016 COLOR(S) OF THE YEAR WOULD BE.
    - JOHN'S CORNER: WHAT IS A HEALTHY SOIL (Part 7) by John Ferguson.
  • NEWSLETTER 135TH EDITION  (12/4/2015)
  • - TWO LOST TREASURES . . . OUR READERS SPEAK . . .MY FAVORITE TO-DO LIST! by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - JOHN'S CORNER: WHAT IS A HEALTHY SOIL (Part 6) by John Ferguson.
  • NEWSLETTER 134TH EDITION  (11/28/2015)
  • - SPOTLIGHT ON COMMUNITY GARDENS . . . PLANT NOW FOR WINTER BEAUTY by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - JOHN'S CORNER: WHAT IS A HEALTHY SOIL (Part 5) by John Ferguson.
  • NEWSLETTER 133RD EDITION  (11/20/2015)
  • - FORCING FOR THE HOLIDAYS . . . SURPRISE BLOOMERS! by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - JOHN'S CORNER: WHAT IS A HEALTHY SOIL (Part 4) by John Ferguson.
  • NEWSLETTER 132ND EDITION  (11/13/2015)
  • - BLOOMS SEEN AROUND TOWN . . .VINES OF CHOICE . . . RIGHT BULBS FOR FORCING by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - JOHN'S CORNER: WHAT IS A HEALTHY SOIL (Part 3) by John Ferguson.
  • NEWSLETTER 131ST EDITION  (11/6/2015)
  • - SOCIETY SALES SECRET TO SPECIALITY SELECTIONS. . . ANTS IN PLANTS? by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - IS YOUR CLUB PLANT SALE WILTING FASTER THAN PLANTS IN AN AUGUST GARDEN? by Diana Miller, Program Director The Great Grow.
    - JOHN'S CORNER: WHAT IS A HEALTHY SOIL (Part 2) by John Ferguson.
  • NEWSLETTER 130TH EDITION  (10/30/2015)
  • - GARDENING WITH - UGH! . . . EDIBLES MENTALITY CHANGE? by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - MY FAVORITE COOL WEATHER HERBS by Susan Gail Wood, Herb Society of America/South Texas Unit.
    - JOHN'S CORNER: WHAT IS A HEALTHY SOIL? (Part 1) by John Ferguson.
  • NEWSLETTER 129TH EDITION   (10/22/2015)
  • - DRAW EYES AWAY FROM PLANTS TRYING TO GO TO SLEEP! . . . 4-FOOT HIGH IMPATIENS? by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - GROW THE RIGHT PECANS! by Nicky Maddams, Texas Master Gardener Association Communications Director.
    - JOHN'S CORNER , BOOK REVIEW: How Plants Work - The science behind the amazing things plants do , Linda Chalker-Scott, Timber Press, 2015, ISBN: 78-1-60469-338-6.
  • NEWSLETTER 128TH EDITION   (10/16/2015)
  • - HALLOWEEN HORT HANSELS by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - 10 STEPS TO RAIN BARREL SUCCESS by Pam Allan & Nancy Schoepf, Missouri City Green www.missouricitygreen.org.
    - SEED SAVING by by Jean Fefer & Will Isbell, Harris County Master Gardeners.
    - BOOK REVIEW by John Ferguson: Paw Paw - In Search of America's Forgotten Fruit, by Andrew Moore, July 2015, Chelsea Green Publishing, ISBN: 978-1-60358-596-5.
  • NEWSLETTER 127TH EDITION  (10/9/2015)
  • - LOOK UP! . . . PREPARE NOW FOR PLANT SALES . . . by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - HELL STRIP GARDENING, GROWING PLANTS WHERE PLANTS DON'T WANT TO GROW by Gaye Hammond, Houston Rose Society.
    - JOHN'S CORNER, BOOK REVIEW: "Genetic Roulette - The Documented Health Risks of Genetically Engineered Foods", by Jeffery M. Smith, YES Books, 2007, ISBN: 978-0-9729665-2-8.
  • NEWSLETTER 126TH EDITION  (10/2/2015)
  • - HARDSCAPES THAT "SPEAK TO US" . . . SO, RELEASE THE KRAKEN! . . . SCARECROWS & AVOCADOS by Brenda Beust Smith.
  • NEWSLETTER 125TH EDITION  (9/25/2015)
  • - QUERY FOR YOU . . . FLOWERS FOR DISCERNING BUYERS. . . PRAISING (AND LEARNING FROM) PRAIRIES
    . . . READER FEEDBACK - ALWAYS WELCOME! by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - JOHN'S CORNER: WEEDS and HERBICIDES: ROUND-UP - UPDATE 1 by John Ferguson.
  • NEWSLETTER 124TH EDITION  (9/23/2015)
  • - DOUBLE CELEBRATION . . . COUNTING MONARCHS HEADING TO MEXICO . . . NO MONEY PLANT SWAPS by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - JOHN'S CORNER, Tip Of The Week: "When is the best time to apply compost?".
  • NEWSLETTER 123RD EDITION  (9/11/2015)
  • - NATIVE & GULF COAST HARDY PLANTS (LIKE GINGERS!) JUST WAITING FOR YOU TO PLANT THEM by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - GINGERS LIKE IT HOT! by Ceil Dow.
    - JOHN'S CORNER, BOOK REVIEW: The Ultra Mind Solution - The Simple Way to Defeat Depression, Overcome Anxiety, and Sharpen Your Mind, Mark Hyman, M.D., Scribner Publishing, 2009, ISBN: 978-1-4165-4972-7 (pbk).
  • NEWSLETTER 122ND EDITON  (9/4/2015)
  • - SUPER-HARDY PLANTS - IT'S ALL IN HOW MUCH THEY CAN SURVIVE by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - 10 TIPS FOR FUN AND SUCCESSFUL GARDEN TOURS by the League City Garden Club, League City, TX.
    - JOHN'S CORNER, BOOK REVIEW: Eating on the Wild Side - The Missing Link to Optimum Health, Jo Robinson, 2013, Little Brown & Company, ISBN: 978-0-316-22793-3 (pb).
  • NEWSLETTER 121ST EDITON  (8/28/2015)
  • - GARDENS CAN OVERCOME ANY CHALLENGE by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - WALL GARDENS: A FOREVER OLD IDEA FOR GARDENING IN SMALL SPACES by Bobbie Mason, Texas Garden Clubs, Inc. Trustee, Ovillia Garden Club, Dallas.
    - BOOK REVIEW by John Ferguson, The Real Dirt on COMPOSTING, Cheryl Wilfong, Heart Path Press, Copyright 2015, ISBN: 978-0-9825664-7-3, www.meditativegardener.com.
    - FLOURIDE Update #3 by John Ferguson.
  • NEWSLETTER 120TH EDITION  (8/21/2015)
  • - KEY TO SUCCESS by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - BEGONIAS FOR THE GREATER HOUSTON AREA by Tony Collins.
    - TOP TEN WAYS WE HOME GARDENERS WASTE WATER! by Bob Dailey.
    - BOOK REVIEWS by John Ferguson:
    1) Altered Genes, Twisted Truth - How the Venture to Genetically Engineer Our Food Has Subverted Science, Corrupted Government, and Systematically Deceived the Public, Steven M. Druker, Clear River Press, 2015, ISBN: 978-0-9856169-0-8.
    2) "We're MONSANTO Feeding The World, Lie After Lie", Brett Wilcox, Wilcox Works LLC, 2013, ISBN 13: 978-1492312918.
    3) PHARMOCRACY - How Corrupt Deals and Misguided Medical Regulations are Bankrupting America -- AND What to Do About It, William Faloon, Praktikos Books, 2011, ISBN: 978-1-60766-011-8.
    4) FDA - Failure, Deception, Abuse - The Story of an Out-of-Control Government Agency and What It Means For Your Health, Life Extension Foundation, Praktikoa Books, 2010, ISBN: 978-1-60766-001-9.
  • NEWSLETTER 119th EDITION  (8/10/2015)
  • - LAZY GARDENER'S BEST FRIENDS - BULBS (& DARE WE HOPE? DEER-DETERRENTS?)...AND AMPHIBIANS by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - GARDENING FOR AMPHIBIANS by Cassidy Johnson, PH.D. T.O.A.D. (Texas Organization for Amphibian Diversity) www.thehoustontoad.org.
    - JOHN'S CORNER: WEEDS and HERBICIDES (Part 4 of 4) "Round-Up" by John Ferguson.
  • NEWSLETTER 118TH EDITION  (8/1/2015)
  • - SOAKING SURRENDER . . . REEK NEVER PEAKED . . . NURSERY MARKETING TRENDS by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - JOHN'S CORNER: WEEDS and HERBICIDES (Part 3) by John Ferguson.
  • NEWSLETTER 117TH EDITION  (7/24/2015)
  • - A TREASURED WALLOW . . . BUFFALO OF A DIFFERENT ILK . . GREENWAY DELIGHT by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - TOP 10 DO'S AND DON'TS FOR CHILI PEPPER GARDENERS by Gene Speller, Galveston County Master Gardeners .
    - QUESTIONS FROM READERS: How to go about remediating any damage from Round Up? by John Ferguson.
    - WEEDS AND HERBICIDES: "Round-Up" (Part 2) by John Ferguson.
  • NEWSLETTER 116TH EDITION  (7/20/2015)
  • - WISE WATERING . . . IS YOUR PLANT FOOLING YOU? ... OR DO YOU HAVE THE WRONG PLANTS? by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - THEY WON'T WATER THEMSELVES! by Baxter Williams, Houston Rose Society.
    - NOTE: UPDATED LINK TO POPE'S ENCYCLICAL
    - JOHN'S CORNER: WEEDS and HERBICIDES (Part 1) by John Ferguson.
  • NEWSLETTER 115TH EDITION  (7/11/2015)
  • - SO DRUIDS BEAT THEIR APPLES, EH? . . .SILKY STOCKINGS ON TREES: GOOD! by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - NEWS FLASH! BUMPER CROP OF WEEDS! by Anna Wygrys, Galveston County Master Gardeners.
    - PAPAL ENCYCLICAL BY POPE FRANCIS 2015 by John Ferguson.
  • NEWSLETTER 114TH EDITON  (7/3/2015)
  • - AN AGAVE GROWS IN SLIDELL . . . TWO TREES RETURN IN ALDINE . . . CELEBRATIONS IN ORDER! by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - MULCH CORNER: Rubber Tire Mulch Update #2 by John Ferguson.
    - BOOK REVIEW: Water Conservation By The Yard: Estimating Savings From Outdoor Water Restrictions, National Wildlife Federation and The Sierra Club, March 2015.
  • NEWSLETTER 113TH EDITION  (6/26/2015)
  • - JULY 4TH COMETH. ARE YOU READY? by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - READERS REPORT IN.
    - JOHN'S CORNER: MINERALS by John Ferguson..
  • NEWSLETTER 112TH EDITION  (6/19/2015)
  • - FATHER'S DAY FLOWERS by Brenda Beust Smith
    - GET READY FOR FALL GARDENING by Jean Fefer, Harris County Master Gardener
    - JOHN'S CORNER: FLOURIDE Update #2 by John Ferguson
  • NEWSLETTER 111TH EDITION  (6/12/2015)
  • - 'JANE LONG', MEET 'KIAN'! . . . NATIVES, YES! BUT WITH CAUTION! by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - GOOD SUMMER HERBS FOR THE HOUSTON-AREA REGION by Jeanie Dunnihoo, Harris County Master Gardener and Herb Society of America South Texas Unit member.
    - GARDENING Q&A: "I had a few questions in regards to rubber mats or rubber mulching" by John Ferguson.
  • NEWSLETTER 110TH EDITION  (6/5/2015)
  • - MY DREAM 'ENAMELED MEAD' . . . PRAIRIE-TURNED-POLLINATOR PARADISE by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - A FEW NECTAR SOURCES FOR BUTTERFLIES AND BEES by Don Dubois, BUTTERFLY ENTHUSIASTS OF SOUTHEAST TEXAS (BEST) MEMBER.
    - ORGANIC FERTILIZER AND NUTRIENTS 35: BIOFERTILIZERS by John Ferguson.
  • NEWSLETTER 109TH EDITION  (6/4/2015)
  • - A BIT OF OVERWATERING? ... HARDIER REPLACEMENT PLANTS? ... HIBISCUS LAUGHING ... CAPTURING POLLINATORS by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - JOHN'S CORNER, BOOK REVIEW: Merchants of DOUBT: How a handful of scientists obscured the truth on issues from Tobacco smoke to global warming, by Naomi Oreskes and Erik M. Conway, Bloomsbury Press, 2010, ISBN: 978-1-59691-610-4.
  • NEWSLETTER 108TH EDITION   (5/22/2015)
  • - GREAT OPPORTUNITIES TO TRY SOME NEW CACTUS, SUCCULENTS AND BEGONIAS! by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - JOHN'S CORNER: PEAT MOSS REVISITED by John Ferguson.
  • NEWSLETTER 107TH EDITION  (5/18/2015)
  • - GARDENING WITH KIDS, CYLINDER GARDENING, ROSE RUSTLING by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - SOME CALL IT A GARDEN, BUT WE CALL IT A PRAIRIE by Ahlene Shong, Native Plant Society of Texas/Houston Chapter.
    - TIPS FOR DEALING WITH SLUGS AND SNAILS AND A FLOURIDE UPDATE by John Ferguson.
  • NEWSLETTER 106th EDITION  (5/9/2015)
  • - A DAY FOR TEXANS TO SHOW OUR PATRIOTIC PRIDE by Brenda Beust Smiith.
    - ORGANIC FERTILIZERS AND NUTRIENTS 34: SEA MINERALS by John Ferguson.
  • NEWSLETTER 105TH EDITION  (5/1/2015)
  • - NOT YOUR GRANDMOTHER'S DAYLILY ... AH, YES! BUT THERE'S GRANDMA'S! . . . CELEBRATING PUBLIC GARDENS AND (OUR OWN) IRISES.
    - BOOK REVIEW: Attracting Native Pollinators - The Xerces Society Guide, Forward Dr. Marla Spivak, Storey Publishing, 2011, ISBN: 978-1-60342-695-4.
  • NEWSLETTER 104TH EDITION  (4/24/2015)
  • - OLD ROSES IN SPOTLIGHT . . . LOVE YA, PEGGY MARTIN! by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - ORNAMEDIBLES - THE CLIMBERS by Angela Chandler The Garden Academy (www.thegardenacademy.com).
    - BOOK REVIEW: Geotherapy- Innovative Methods of Soil Fertility Restoration, Carbon Sequestration, and Reversing CO2 Increase, Edited by: Thomas Goreau, Ronal Larson, Joanna Campe, CRC Press, 2015, ISBN: 13:978-1-4665-9539-2.
  • NEWSLETTER 103RD EDITION  (4/17/2015)
  • - BOTANICAL ARTS - CREATIVE FUN! by Dodie Jackson, Garden Club of Houston, Laurel Garden Club.
    - CELEBRATE EARTH DAY WITH THE BUTTERFLIES! by Amy Barton, Houston Arboretum & Nature Center.
    - OLEANDER FESTIVAL KICK-OFF LUNCHEON TO FEATURE FASCINATING HERITAGE, International Oleander Society.
    - JOHN'S CORNER: SPRING TIME MULCH by John Ferguson.
  • NEWSLETTER 102ND EDITION  (4/10/2015)
  • - BLUE BELL'S ROSES AMID THE BLUEBONNETS . . SPLENDOR AT NIGHT . . . FINDING SPECIAL AMARYLLIS AND OTHER TREASURES by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - FRAGRANT AND NIGHT-BLOOMING GARDENS by Judy Ulke, Enchanted Landscapes & Nurseries.
    - ORGANIC FERTILIZERS AND NUTRIENTS 33 SHRIMP AND CRAB MEAL by John Ferguson.
  • NEWSLETTER 101ST EDITION  (4/3/2015)
  • - REMEMBERING LOVED ONES . . . LET FLOWERS SPEAK SENTIMENTS by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - EXCITING ROSES IN TRIAL by Gaye Hammond Houston Rose Society Past President.
    - SAVORY HERB GARDEN ADDITIONS by Lois Sutton, The Herb Society of America, South Texas Unit
    - ORGANIC FERTILIZERS AND NUTRIENTS 32 HOOF AND HORN MEAL by John Ferguson.
  • NEWSLETTER 100th EDITION  (3/27/2015)
  • - WILDFLOWER FEAST AHEAD . . . AN ACORN TO TORTURE SQUIRRELS (YEH!) . . . BUTTERFLY COUNTS NEED VOLUNTEERS by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - ORGANIC FERTILIZERS AND NUTRIENTS - 31 FEATHER MEAL by John Ferguson.
  • NEWSLETTER 99TH EDITION  (3/20/2015)
  • - MEA CULPA, BUTTERFLIES! ... BEAUTIFUL "PRODUCING" PEARS ... U of H CALLS ON CAMPUS GARDENERS ... GALVESTON'S BLUEBONNETS by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - READERS CONTRIBUTE . . . THANKS!!!.
    - ORGANIC FERTILIZER AND NUTRIENTS - 30 SEABIRD GUANO by John Ferguson.
    - A BOOK REVIEW: "We're MONSANTO Feeding The World, Lie After Lie", Brett Wilcox, Wilcox Works LLC, 2013, ISBN 13: 978-1492312918 by John Ferguson.
  • NEWSLETTER 98TH EDITION  (3/13/2015)
  • - GIVING OUR GARDENS A DEEPER MEANING . . . by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - PLANTS OF THE BIBLE by Jean Fefer.
    - ORGANIC FERTILIZERS AND NUTRIENTS - 29 CORN MEAL and CORN GLUTEN MEAL by John Ferguson.
  • NEWSLETTER 97th EDITION  (3/6/2015)
  • - MARCH MART TIME! . . . AND A GARDENER'S JOURNEY by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - A GARDENER'S EVOLUTION by Tim Fleck.
    - ORGANIC FERTILIZER AND NUTRIENTS - 28 ASHES by John Ferguson.
  • NEWSLETTER 96TH EDITION  (2/27/2015)
  • - OUR GARDENING HORIZON IS ABOUT TO SIGNIFICANTLY CHANGE . . . WHAT'S THIS FLOWER? by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - SOME ROSE TIPS from Baxter Williams.
    - ORGANIC FERTILIZER AND NUTRIENTS - 26 MINERAL SANDS PART 3 by John Ferguson.
  • NEWSLETTER 95TH EDITION  (2/24/2015)
  • - GARDENERS' RECRUDESENCE STARTS NOW! by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - THE MONARCH'S BEST HOPE IS STILL YOU by Barbara Keller-Willy CPTMN, NPAT,HNPAT, Texas Monarch Gateway, SLGC
    - A BOOK REVIEW: "America's Two-Headed Pig - Treating Nutritional Deficiencies and Disease in a Genetically Modified, Antibiotic Resistant, and Pesticide Dependent World", Leah Dunham, 2013, Wholesome Note Publications, ISBN 13: 978-0989484008 by John Ferguson.
    - Q & A: I am confused about a statement in the granite sand article "the smaller particle has increased surface area " How is that possible? by John Ferguson.
  • NEWSLETTER 94th EDITION  (2/16/2015)
  • - AZALEAS . . . AFRICAN VIOLETS . . . by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - AVOCADOS "...SLIGHTLY CONFUSED ABOUT THEIR SEXUALITY" by Angela Chandler.
    - ORGANIC FERTILIZER AND NUTRIENTS - 26 MINERAL SANDS PART 2 by John Ferguson,
  • NEWSLETTER 93rd EDITION  (2/6/2015)
  • - MERCER - OUR LIVING PLANT GARDEN'S WINTER BEAUTY CLASS by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - ORGANIC FERTILIZER AND NUTRIENTS - 25 MINERAL SANDS PART 1 by John Ferguson..
  • NEWSLETTER 92ND EDITION  (2/2/2015)
  • - AVOCADOS . . . STARTING SEEDS . . . "HEIRLOOM" ROCKS! . . . GET GOING ON TOMATOES NOW! by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - SIX STEPS TO GREAT SPRING TOMATOES by Robert "Skip" Richter, M. Agr. Harris County Extension Agent - Horticulture.
    - ORGANIC FERTILIZER AND NUTRIENTS - 24 COMPOST.
  • NEWSLETTER 91st EDITION  (1/23/2015)
  • - BULB BOXES & CAMELLIAS by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - IF THE BLOOM IS OFF THE ROSE FOR YOU, TRY CAMELLIAS by Don Marcotte President of the Coushatta Camellia Society.
    - ORGANIC FERTILIZERS AND NUTRIENTS - 23 GREEN SAND by John Ferguson.
  • NEWSLETTER 90TH EDITION  (1/16/2015)
  • - HOW DID YOU PLANTS SURVIVE "THE COLD"?.....TALK ABOUT FROSTY WINTER WONDER by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - TOP 10 MISTAKES GARDENERS MAKE WITH COMPOST PILES by Rob Lucey, Harris County Master Gardeners.
    - TO TILL OR NOT TO TILL by John Ferguson.
  • NEWSLETTER 89TH EDITION  (1/10/2015)
  • - BURR!. . . THANK YOU PCT. 4!. . . HOUSTON HORTICULTURE TREASURES . . . ORGANICS by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - SOCIOHORTICULTURE - THE HOLISTIC GARDEN by Dr. Joe Novak.
    - ORGANIC FERTILIZERS AND NUTRIENTS - 22 WOOD ASH by John Ferguson.
  • NEWSLETTER 88TH EDITION  (12/26/2014)
  • - CELEBRATE! TREES . . . 2015 COLOR OF THE YEAR . . . VEGETABLE GARDENING NOW! by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - OUR SPRING VEGETABLE GARDENS BEGIN AROUND THE FIRST OF THE YEAR by Peg Turrentine & Jennifer Pilhal, Notthingham Country Garden Club.
  • NEWSLETTER 87TH EDITION  (12/19/2014)
  • - TREASURE TROVE OF TREES . . . BUT, READ THIS BEFORE YOU PLANT! . . . KEEPING CHRISTMAS PLANTS PRETTY by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - ORGANIC FERTILIZER AND NUTRIENTS - 21 BONE MEAL by John Ferguson.
  • NEWSLETTER 86TH EDITION  (12/13/2014)
  • - NAT'L POINSETTIA DAY & WHY WON'T MY PLANT BLOOM? by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - ORGANIC FERTILIZERS AND NUTRIENTS - 2O BLOOD MEAL by John Ferguson.
  • NEWSLETTER 85TH EDITION  (12/6/2014)
  • - LET THE BUTTERFLIES GO . . . REMEMBER THE HUMMERS WHO STAY . . . AND WATCH OUT FOR MEALY BUGS by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - ORGANIC FERTILIZERS AND NUTRIENTS - 19 DRIED SEWAGE SLUDGES by John Ferguson.
  • NEWSLETTER 84TH EDITION  (11/21/2014)
  • - DOUBLE-DUTY GIFT SPENDING . . . ROOTING CUTTINGS . . . TIP O' THE TROWEL TO GREENPRINTS by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - ORGANIC FERTILIZERS AND NUTRIENTS -18 AZOMITE by John Ferguson.
  • NEWSLETTER 83RD EDITION  (11/14/2014)
  • - BURR . . . NATIVE GOODIES . . . PLANT SWAPS . . . CITRUS CELEBRATION by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - ORGANIC FERTILIZERS AND NUTRIENTS - 17 IRON PHOSPHATE by John Ferguson.
  • NEWSLETTER 82ND EDITION  (11/8/2014)
  • - BLOOM, BRANCH, BLOOM! AND SHARE GARDEN GAFFES by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - ORGANIC FERTILIZERS AND NUTRIENTS 16 - MOLASSES by John Ferguson.
  • NEWSLETTER 81ST EDITION  (10/31/2014)
  • - FORCED BULBS MAKE WELCOME HOLIDAY GIFTS & PRAIRIE FLOWERS GREAT FOR LANDSCAPES by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - JOHN'S CORNER: FLOURIDE by John Ferguson.
    - BOOK REVIEW: Energy-Wise Landscape Design - A New Approach for your Home and Garden", Sue Reed, New Society Publishers, 2010, ISBN: 978-0-86571-653-7.
    - ORGANIC GARDENING SOLUTIONS: KEEPING BROWN PATCH AT BAY by Mark Bowen.
  • NEWSLETTER 80TH EDITION  (10/25/2014)
  • - BOTTLETREES AND BUTTERFLIES - "STAIN GLASS" TREASURES FOR THE GARDEN . . A "MYSTERY ROSE"! by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - A BUTTERFLY HAVEN IN YOUR HERB GARDEN by Karen Cottingham, South Texas Unit of The Herb Society of America.
    - ORGANIC FERTILIZERS AND NUTRIENTS 15 - WHEAT MIDDLINGS by John Ferguson.
    - GARDEN TAILS by Mark & Mary Bowen.
  • NEWSLETTER 79TH EDITION  (10/17/2014)
  • - HALLOWEEN HORTICULTURE . . . A BLOB OF BUTTERFLIES? . . . LUCIA'S "LITTLE RED LADIES" . . . JUMP START HERB GARDEN by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - COOL WEATHER HERBS by Susan Gail Wood.
    - GARDENING Q & A: What else can I do or what else should I do to help the beds drain better? by John Ferguson.
    - GARDEN TAILS by Mark & Mary Bowen.
  • NEWSLETTER 78TH EDITION  (10/10/2014)
  • - SMALL PLANTS FOR SMALL SPACES . . . PENETRATING PALM PERSPECTIVES . . . HEIRLOOM VEGETABLES . . . BEST OF THE BEST BROMELIADS by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - ORGANIC FERTILIZERS AND NUTRIENTS - 14 IRON SULFATE by John Ferguson.
  • NEWSLETTER 77TH EDITION  (10/3/2014)
  • - NAKED LADIES WALKING . . . THWARTING STRING WEEDERS by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - LEARN NATIVE PRAIRIE GARDENING BY VOLUNTEERING by Lan Shen, Houston Chapter - Native Praries Association of Texas.
    - BONSAI, A CELEBRATION OF LIFE THROUGH A STORY OF SURVIVAL by Scott Bardoza, Houston Bonsai Society.
    - ORGANIC FERTILIZER AND NUTRIENTS -13 POTASSIUM SULFATE (POTASH) by John Ferguson.
  • NEWSLETTER 76TH EDITION  (9/26/2014)
  • - POUTING CORAL VINE, CRAZY COOL OKRA by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - 10 IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW WHEN GROWING PALM TREES by Grant Stephenson, Internationa Palm Society.
    - JOHN'S CORNER, BOOK REVIEWS:
    "Coffee for Roses and ... 70 Other Misleading Myths About Backyard Gardening" by C.L. Fornari, St. Lynn's Press, 2014, ISBN: 978-0-9892688-3-7.
    "The Informed Gardener Blooms Again", by Linda Chalker-Scott, University of Washington Press, 2010, ISBN: 978-0-295-99001-9.
    "The Truth About Garden Remedies- What Works, What Doesn't, and Why", by Jeff Gillman, Timber Press, 2008, ISBN: 978-0-88192-912-6.
  • NEWSLETTER 75TH EDITION  (9/22/2014)
  • - GET OUT THE LITTLE RED WAGON . . . IT'S PLANT SALE SEASON! by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - ORGANIC FERTILIZERS AND NUTRIENTS - 12 BAT GUANO by John Ferguson.
  • NEWSLETTER 74th EDITION  (9/12/2014)
  • - TAKING ANTIQUE ROSE CUTTINGS . . . GREEN ROOFS . . . by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - CREATING A MILKWEED VILLAGE by Soni Holladay.
    - TIME FOR SOME UPDATES &TRIVIA. BIO-CHAR UPDATE, SOYBEAN MEAL UPDATE, ALFALFA MEAL UPDATE, MULCH UPDATE, TRIVIA by John Ferguson.
  • NEWSLETTER 73RD EDITION  (9/6/2014)
  • - LEAF-WISHING ON THE HARVEST MOON by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - SECRETS TO SUCCESS WITH ONIONS AND GARLIC by Kenneth Steblein Galveston County Master Gardeners.
    - BOOK REVIEW: "Outwitting Squirrels -101 Cunning Stratagems" by Bill Adler Jr., 3rd edition, Chicago Review Press, 2014, ISBN: 978-1-61374-941-8.
  • NEWSLETTER 72nd EDITION  (8/29/2014)
  • - WILDLIFE NEEDS GARDENERS TO LOOK AT THE BIG PICTURE by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - "REMOVING INSECTS FROM AN ECOSYSTEM SPELLS ITS DOOM..." by Dr. Doug Tallamy,
    - MULCH CORNER - TOXIC MULCH SYNDROME PART 3 by John Ferguson.
  • NEWSLETTER 71ST EDITION  (8/25/2014)
  • - GOLDENROD, OBEDIENCE (OR LACK THEREOF) AND MEMORIES FROM LONG AGO by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - ORGANIC FERTILIZER AND NUTRIENTS - 11 ROCK PHOSPHATE by John Ferguson.
  • NEWSLETTER 70TH EDITION  (8/15/2014)
  • - MASTER GARDENER CLASSES ... WEDELIA & - PLUMERIAS ...STRING-TRIMMING AROUND TREES ... BIRTH OF MICROLIFE by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - HOW MICROLIFE ALL ORGANIC BIOLOGICAL FERTILIZERS GOT STARTED.
  • NEWSLETTER 69TH EDITION  (8/8/2014)
  • - LAZY GARDENER TREASURES . . . WE MUST TAKE RESPONSIBILITY . . . CONSIDER A GREEN WALL! by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - BUYING PLANTS ON EBAY - MORE THOUGHTS
    - CREATING A GREEN WALL by Dr. Ethan Kauffman, Garden Director of Moore Farms Botanical Garden.
    - JOHN'S CORNER, BOOK REVIEW: "Bringing Nature Home - How You Can Sustain Wildlife with Native Plants" by Douglass W. Tallamy, Timber Press, 2014, Edith Printing, ISBN-13: 978-0-88192-992-8.
  • NEWSLETTER 68TH EDITION  (8/1/2014)
  • - I BRAKE FOR EYE-POPPING PLANTINGS ... READERS ON EBAY PURCHASES ... RANDY BLASTS BLACK DYED MULCHES by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - BEWARE OF BUYING PLANTS ON EBAY!
    - HEY, WOODLANDS, STOP USING BLACK DYED MULCH (EVERYONE ELSE WHILE WE'RE AT IT, TOO!) by Randy Lemmon, GardenLine Host.
    - ORGANIC FERTILIZERS AND NUTRIENTS - 10 SOYBEAN MEAL by John Ferguson.
    - BOOK REVIEW: "Attracting beneficial bugs to your garden - A natural approach to pest control" by Jessica Walliser.
    - EDIBLE EARTH PUSHES FOR MORE URBAN FARMS IN HOUSTON'S "FOOD DESERTS"
  • NEWSLETTER 67TH EDITION  (7/25/2014)
  • - SEAWEED KUDOS . . . TINY ORCHIDS FOR TINY SPOTS . . . PLUMERIAS EXTRAORDINAIRE . . . MOTHER OF GARDENS by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - RUST ON PLUMERIAS - BLAME THE RAIN! by Eulas Stafford, Plumeria Society of America.
    - TINY ORCHIDS FOR TINY SPOTS by John Stubbings, Houston Orchid Society.
    - MOTHER OF GARDENS.
    - KEN DORMAN - A TRUE HOUSTON TREASURE.
    - ORGANIC FERTILIZERS AND NUTRIENTS - 9 ALFALFA MEAL by John Ferguson.
    - IN THE NEWS: Citrus Greening Disease Triggers Local Ban On Citrus Sales.
  • NEWSLETTER 66TH EDITION  (7/18/2014)
  • - I SEE WHAT YOU MEAN ABOUT YELLOW, ALICE . . . MORE HEADACHES FOR BEES . . . by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - OUR GARDEN HERITAGE BY DR. WILLIAM C. WELCH on his upcoming lecture "Something Old, Something New - Plant & Design Choices for Today's Landscapes".
    - ORGANIC FERTILIZERS AND NUTRIENTS - 8 COTTON SEED MEAL by John Ferguson.
  • NEWSLETTER 65th EDITION  (7/11/2014)
  • - MEMORIES . . . OF GREYWATER AND DAN LOEP'S FABULOUS DISHPLATES by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - ORGANIC FERTILIZERS AND NUTRIENTS - 7 FISH PRODUCTS by John Ferguson.
    - DVD REVIEW: SIMPHONY OF THE SOIL.
  • NEWSLETTER 64TH EDITION  (7/4/2014)
  • - GETTING HIGH(ER) WITH GARDENING & SAGO WATCH by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - WHO NEEDS "ACCESSIBLE GARDENING"? EVERYONE! by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - MANY SAGO PALMS WILL DIE by Patrick Hudnall, Texas Gulf Coast Fern Society.
    - ORGANIC FERTILIZER AND NUTRIENTS - 6 by John Ferguson.
  • NEWSLETTER 63RD EDITION  (6/27/2014)
  • - YOU DON'T STOP GARDENING WHEN YOU GROW OLD, YOU GROW OLD WHEN YOU STOP GARDENING by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - I.W.M. - INTEGRATED WEED MANAGEMENT by ANNA WYGRYS, Galveston County Master Gardeners.
    - ORGANIC FERTILIZERS AND NUTRIENTS - 5 by John Ferguson.
  • NEWSLETTER 62ND EDITION  (6/20/2014)
  • - CREPES WITH MILDEW AND DISHPLATE HIBISCUS by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - ORGANIC FERTILIZERS AND NUTRIENTS - 4 by John Ferguson.
  • NEWSLETTER 61ST EDITION  (6/18/2014)
  • - DOES YOUR GARDEN MAKE YOU SMILE? MINE DOES . . . KUDOS TO U.S. 59 LANDSCAPERS by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - 10 BIGGEST MISTAKES TO AVOID WHEN GROWING FERNS IN THE HOUSTON METRO AREA by Patrick Hudnall Texas Gulf Coast Fern Society.
    - ORGANIC FERTILIZER AND NUTRIENTS -3 by John Ferguson.
  • NEWSLETTER 60TH EDITION  (6/3/2014)
  • - "SCENTED" THOUGHTS FOR THE GARDEN . . . SEAWEED & LA HYBRID LILIES! by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - ORGANIC FERTILIZERS AND NUTRIENTS -2 by John Ferguson.
    - BOOK REVIEW: THE SOIL WILL SAVE US by Kristin Ohlson.
  • NEWSLETTER 59TH EDITION  (5/23/2014)
  • - SO . . . HOW QUIESCENT IS YOUR NUTGRASS? AND HOW BEAUTIFUL YOUR AMARYLLIS? by Brenda Beust Smith.
    - 10 BIGGEST MISTAKES NEWCOMERS MAKE GROWING AMARYLIS/HIPPEASTRUM IN THE GREATER HOUSTON AREA by Charles Prasek of the Greater Houston Hippeastrum/Amaryllis Society.
    - ORGANIC FERTILIZER AND NUTRIENTS -1 by John Ferguson.
    - WHATS GOING ON IN JHON'S GARDEN: SPRING FLOWERS by John Ferguson.
  • NEWSLETTER 58TH EDITION  (5/19/2014)
  • APPLES AND ESPLANADES - TALK ABOUT DIVERSITY IN GARDENING! by Brenda Beust Smith.
    TIPS ON LANDSCAPING AN ESPLANADE by Dee Melancon Heights Garden Club, (www.HeightsGardenClub.com).
    A FORGOTTEN FRUIT -SOUTHERN APPLES REVISITED by Ethan A. Natelson, M.D.
    SOIL AMENDMENTS -BIO-CHAR- by John Ferguson.
  • NEWSLETTER 57TH EDITION  (5/9/2014)
  • STRAWBERRIES AND BROMELIADS - GORGEOUS COLOR PULLS US IN! by Brenda Beust Smith.
    THE 10 BIGGEST MISTAKES NEWCOMERS MAKE GROWING BROMELIADS IN THE GREATER HOUSTON AREA by Gene Powers, Bromeliad Society/Houston.
    SOIL AMENDMENTS -RICE HULL ASH by John Ferguson.
  • NEWSLETTER 56TH EDITION  (5/2/2014)
  • WATER RATIONING - IT'S COMING . . . TIME TO PLANT CACTUS! . . . BUT NOT "HAPPY TREES" by Brenda Beust Smith.
    THE 10 BIGGEST MISTAKES NEWCOMERS MAKE TRYING TO GROW CACTUS & SUCCULENTS IN THE GREATER HOUSTON AREA by Liliana Cracraft, Paulette Patterson, Stan Russ, Dave Thomas, Noreen Tolman, and Richard Stamper. Houston Cactus & Succulent Society.
    SOIL AMENDMENTS -RICE HULLS by John Ferguson.
  • NEWSLETTER 55TH EDITION.   (4/25/2014)
  • MERCER CELEBRATES . . . NEW OLEANDER . . . FABULOUS WATER GARDENS . . . AND WILDFLOWERS IN LAWNS by Brenda Beust Smith.
    THE TEN MOST COMMON MISTAKES IN INSTALLING AND MAINTAINING A POND. by Dan Cook, Lone Star Koi Club and Houston Pond Society.
    "HAPPY TREE" LURES TEXAN TO CHINA by Mike Peters (China Daily).
  • NEWSLETTER 54TH EDITION  (4/19/2014)
  • DO AS I SAY, DON'T DO AS I DO ... ESPECIALLY WITH DAYLILIES! by Brenda Beust Smith.
    GROWING DAYLILIES IN THE GREATER HOUSTON AREA by By Mary Gage. Houston Area Daylily Society & Cypress Creek Daylily Clubs & American Hemerocallis Society.
    SOIL AMENDMENTS -PAPER SLUDGE by John Ferguson.
  • NEWSLETTER 53RD EDITION  (4/8/2014)
  • POISON IVY, DAFFS AND, BEST OF ALL, FREE TREES! by Brenda Beust Smith.
    THE10 BIGGEST MISTAKES NEWCOMERS MAKE IN TRYING TO GROW TREES IN THE GREATER HOUSTON AREA by Brooke Judice, Trees For Houston.
    SOIL: THE LIVING LAYER OF EARTH by Bob Dailey.
  • NEWSLETTER 52ND EDITION  (3/31/2014)
  • THINK BUTTERFLIES . . . AND LADYBUGS . . . AND ORCHIDS IN TREES! by Brenda Beust Smith.
    SOIL AMENDMENTS -SAWDUST by John Ferguson.
  • NEWSLETTER 51st EDITION  (3/24/2014)
  • WILL THEY RETURN? and ORCHIDS FOR HOUSTON! By Brenda Beust Smith.
    HOUSTON ORCHID SOCIETY AND CLOWN ALLEY ORCHIDES by John Stubbings.
    SOIL AMENDMENTS -ANIMAL MANURES- by John Ferguson.
  • NEWSLETTER 50TH EDITION   (3/14/2014)
  • PLANT SALE EXTRAORDINAIRE ...FREE GARDENING RESOURCES ... GORGEOUS HIBISCUS by Brenda Smith.
    10 MISTAKES NEWCOMERS MAKE WHEN GROWING HIBISCUS by Marti Graves, American Hibiscus Society, Lone Star Chapter.
    BIOSOLIDS OR SEWAGE SLUDGE by John Ferguson.
  • NEWSLETTER 49TH EDITION  (3/7/2014)
  • PLUMERIAS & OLEANDERS LOVERS - LOOK THIS WAY! by Brenda Beust Smith.
    THE BIGGEST MISTAKES NEWCOMERS MAKE TRYING TO GROW PLUMERIAS IN THE GREATER HOUSTON AREA by Eulas Stafford, The Plumeria Society of America
    SOIL AMENDMENTS - LIMESTONE AND DOLOMITE - by John Ferguson.
  • NEWSLETTER 48TH EDITION  (2/14/2014)
  • HERBS & PRUNING ... OUR AREA IS UNIQUE! by Brenda Beust Smith.
    10 BIGGEST MISTAKES NEWCOMERS MAKE TRYING TO GROW HERBS IN THE HOUSTON AREA by Susan Gail Wood.
    SOIL AMENDMENTS - LIMESTONE AND DOLOMITE by John Ferguson.
  • NEWSLETTER 47TH EDITION  (2/9/2014)
  • ALLIGATORS & ROSES - WHAT MORE DO GARDENER'S NEED? by Brenda Beust Smith.
    GROWING ROSES ON THE UPPER TEXAS GULF COAST by Baxter Williams.
    SOIL AMENDMENTS -HUMATE by John Ferguson.
  • NEWSLETTER 46TH EDITION  (2/2/2014)
  • WHEN IT FREEZES, THINK HERBS . . . AND BUTTERFLIES by Brenda Beust Smith.
    SOIL AMENDMENTS - ROCK WOOL by John Ferguson.
  • NEWSLETTER 45TH EDITION  (1/26/2014)
  • HEADLINE: LISTEN TO OUR BAYOUS! . . . DON'T FORGET SNOWBELLS! . . . ATTRACTING WINTER HUMMINGBIRDS by Brenda Beust Smith.
    SOIL AMENDMENTS - LAVA SAND by John Ferguson.
  • NEWSLETTER 44TH EDITION  (1/19/2014)
  • WINTER PLANT PROTECTION - NOT FOR LAZY GARDENERS! . . WINTER HUMMINGBIRD TREATS by Brenda Beust Smith.
    SOIL AMENDMENTS - Bentonite by John Ferguson.
  • NEWSLETTER 43RD EDITION  (1/12/2014)
  • THINK 'MAJESTIC' IN THE GARDEN! by Brenda Beust Smith.
    SOIL AMENDMENTS - Pumice by John Ferguson.
  • NEWSLETTER 42ND EDITION  (1/10/2014)
  • CHEMICAL FREE ROSES? and GRANTS FOR SCHOOL GARDENS by Brenda Beust Smith.
    SOIL AMENDMENTS - Zeolite by John Ferguson.
  • NEWSLETTER 41ST EDITION  (12/21/2013)
  • WINTER SOLSTICE COMETH and BEFORE YOU GRAB ONLY POINSETTIAS . . . by Brenda Beust Smith.
    SOIL AMENDMENTS - PEAT MOSS by John Ferguson.
  • NEWSLETTER 40th EDITION  (12/14/2013)
  • LAWNS - IT'S THE LAW NOW . . . POINSETTIA CELEBRATION (OR NOT) . . . A READER DISAGREES . . . by Brenda Beust Smith.
    SOIL AMENDMENTS - EPSOM SALT by John Ferguson.
  • NEWSLETTER 39th EDITION  (12/6/2013)
  • A GARDEN OF GOOD CHEER and SPEAKING OF GIVING THANKS . . .by Brenda Beust Smith.
    A BOOK GIFT LIST FOR GARDENERS by John Ferguson.
  • NEWSLETTER 38TH EDITION  (11/29/2013)
  • ON THE PROPOSED HOUSTON BOTANIC GARDEN and TIPS FOR PLANTING UNDER TREES by Brenda Beust Smith.
    SOIL AMENDMENTS - VERMICULITE by John Ferguson.
  • NEWSLETTER 37TH EDITION  (11/23/2013)
  • REDUCED LAWNS CAN BE BEAUTIFUL! by Brenda Beust Smith.
    SOIL AMENDMENTS - PERLITE by John Ferguson.
  • NEWSLETTER 36th EDITION  (11/16/2013)
  • ARE YOU CREATING BUSY WORK IN THE GARDEN? - CAN'T EAT IT? PLANT IT! - MEA CULPA, MERCER! by Brenda Beust Smith.
    SOIL AMMENDMENTS: GYPSUM by John Ferguson.
  • NEWSLETTER 35TH EDITION  (11/9/2013)
  • MERCER: WHAT COULD BE BLOOMING IN YOUR GARDEN NOW? and THE 7 DEADLY SPRINKLER SYSTEM SINS by Brenda Beust Smith.
    SOIL AMENDMENTS- ROCK DUSTS by John Ferguson.
  • NEWSLETTER 34TH EDITION  (11/1/2013)
  • GREAT DON'T DO TIPS FOR LAZY GARDENERS AND AN APOLOGY TO GOLDENROD! by Brenda Beust Smith.
    GREENSAND by John Ferguson.
  • NEWSLETTER 33RD EDITION  (10/25/2013)
  • FREE SPIRITS . . . AND, WHEN LIFE HANDS YOU A LEMON . .by Brenda Beust Smith.
    EXPANDED SHALE by John Ferguson.
  • NEWSLETTER 32ND EDITION  (10/18/2013)
  • A POTPOURRI OF RAINTREES, MUSHROOMS, WINTERIZING HIBISCUS AND WHITEFLIES! by Brenda Beust Smith.
    For the 'Best Ever' fall flowers by Mike Serant.
    BROWN PATCH by John Ferguson.
  • NEWSLETTER 31ST EDITION  (10/11/2013)
  • SAY "BOO!" WITH AN HERBAL SPELL . . . RED CLOAKS IN THE JUNGLE by Brenda Beust Smith.
    UTILITY MULCH by John Ferguson.
  • NEWSLETTER 30TH EDITION  (10/5/2013)
  • HEY, SEINFELD! "RE-GIFTING" IS A-OK FOR GARDENERS
    - & THE WOODLANDS TOUTS WILDFLOWERS by Brenda Beust Smith.
    LIVING MULCHES by John Ferguson.
  • NEWSLETTER 29TH EDITION  (9/28/2013)
  • ARE WE GARDENERS A THREAT TO MONARCHS? by Brenda Beust Smith.
    OTHER INORGANIC MULCHES by John Ferguson.
  • NEWSLETTER 28TH EDITION  (9/20/2013)
  • JEALOUSY - NO PLACE IN A GARDEN! by Brenda Beust Smith.
    OTHER INORGANIC MULCHES by John Ferguson.
  • NEWSLETTER 27TH EDITION  (9/13/2013)
  • WANNA SEE MY YARD? by Brenda Beust Smith.
    COLORED MULCHES, PART 2 by John Ferguson.
  • NEWSLETTER 26th EDITION  (9/6/2013)
  • FALL MEANS HUMMERS IN THIS YARD AND MORE BULBS FOR CAREFREE BEAUTY! by Brenda Beust Smith.
    COLORED INORGANIC MULCHES by John Ferguson.
  • NEWSLETTER 25TH EDITION  (8/30/2013)
  • PLANTING BY THE HOLIDAYS! by Brenda Beust Smith.
    INORGANIC MULCHES: SPECIALTY PLASTIC by John Ferguson.
  • NEWSLETTER 24th EDITION  (8/23/2013)
  • HEADLINE: BOWLING WITH WILDFLOWERS? - A GOAT-Y CURE FOR TEXAS WEEDS by Brenda Beust Smith.
    INORGANIC MULCHES: CLEAR PLASTIC by John Ferguson.
  • NEWSLETTER 23rd EDITION  (8/19/2013)
  • WATERING BAG ADVICE FROM JANE LONG! and MOVE OVER, ST. FRANCES? by Brenda Beust Smith.
    PLASTIC MULCHES by John Ferguson.
    Attracting Mason Bees by Donna Fay Hilliard.
  • NEWSLETTER 22ND EDITION  (8/9/2013)
  • SPCP's COMING FOR FIG TREE ABUSER! and ST. AUGUSTINE RETURNITH by Brenda Beust Smith.
    INORGANIC MULCHES by John Ferguson.
    Tiger Melons by Bryan Treadway.
    My best bug control in the garden by Bryan Treadway.
    PLANT OF THE WEEK: PHILLPINE LILY courtesy of Treesearch Farms.
  • NEWSLETTER 21ST EDITION  (8/2/2013)
  • GET TO SHAKIN', GARDEN! by Brenda Beust Smith.
    IMPROVING SOIL WITH MULCH by John Ferguson.
    A Mechanic Shop Walks On The Wild Side! by Ron Breland.
  • NEWSLETTER 20TH EDITION  (7/27/2013)
  • BOUGAINVILLEA? OR CREPE? . . . SHARON'S PLUMERIAS . . .by Brenda Beust Smith.
    The Lawn (from the Internet, source unknown).
  • NEWSLETTER 19TH EDITION  (7/19/2013)
  • THRIVING AGAPANTHAS ... THRIPS ON HIBISCUS . . . FREE TREES ... JERRY'S JUNGLE P. S. by Brenda Beust Smith.
    COMPOST AS A MULCH by John Ferguson.
    WHAT'S ON YOUR ROSE ARBOR? by Phoebe Lake.
    THE MAGIC OF MY GARDEN by Grace M. de Fernandez.
    John Fanick Phlox by Ann Abernathy.
  • NEWSLETTER 18TH EDITION  (7/12/2013)
  • KNOCKOUT ROSE THREAT? . . . POISONOUS PLANTS-FEEL SAFE? . . . FAIRWELL, GRANDE DAME by Brenda Beust Smith.
    SICK ROSES? LOOK UNDERGROUND by Baxter Williams.
    INSECTS, PESTS AND DISEASE ASSOCIATED WITH MULCH by John Ferguson.
  • NEWSLETTER 17th EDITION  (7/6/2013)
  • A Snake Rebuttle, Hibiscus Hue Hijinks & a Color Conspectus by Brenda Beust Smith.
    Fort Bend County Master Gardeners Earth-Kind� Kids' Kamp.
    The fire risk related to the combustibility of mulches by John Ferguson.
  • NEWSLETTER 16TH EDITION  (6/28/2013)
  • MUST HAVE PLANTS...MUST KNOW SNAKES...DIS-ROBING OAKS by Brenda Beust Smith.
    Fort Bend County Master Gardeners Earth-Kind� Kids' Kamp.
    Other types of organic mulches by John Ferguson.
  • NEWSLETTER 15TH  (6/26/2013)
  • SPITTING FIG TREES? . . . PLANTING TO DISCOURAGE BURGLARS by Brenda Beust Smith.
    WOOD CHIP MULCHES (SINGLE SPECIES) by John Ferguson.
    What to do about Chinch Bug by Mark Bowen.
  • NEWSLETTER 14TH FINAL  (6/14/2013)
  • GARDEN FAIRIES . . . OFF WITH THEIR HEADS? . . . CRINUMS: LAZY GARDENERS' BEST FRIENDS by Brenda Beust Smith.
    COMPOST AS A MULCH by John Ferguson.
    What to do about white grubs by Mark Bowen.
  • NEWSLETTER 13TH EDITION  (6/7/2013)
  • GARDENIA EXTRAORDINAIRE, FLORAL FRAGRANCE, ADDICTION WARNING, BURGLAR DETERRENT, FAVORITE WILDFLOWER by Brenda Beust Smith.
    Why Organic Mulches by John Ferguson.
    Volcano Mulching by John Ferguson.
  • NEWSLETTER 12 EDITION  (5/31/2013)
  • TO PRUNE OR NOT TO PRUNE, THAT IS THE QUESTION . . .by Brenda Beust Smith.
    NATIVE MULCHES by John Ferguson.
  • NEWSLETTER 11TH EDITION  (5/24/2013)
  • POLLINATOR PROBLEMS, CEMETERY DELIGHTS,
    WILDFLOWERS TO SAVOR, CALADIUM SUBSTITUTES by Brenda Beust Smith.
    NATIVE MULCHES by John Ferguson.
    Can I use the wood ash from my fireplace in my garden? by John Ferguson.
    DIATAMACEOUS EARTH (D.E.) by John Ferguson.
  • NEWSLETTER 10TH EDITION  (5/17/2013)
  • "SEXY BAMBOO, CALADIUM PLEA, EASTER LILIES, OLEANDER NAMES & HATS OFF TO PATTY" by Brenda Beust Smith.
    REDWOOD MULCH by John Ferguson.
    BOOK REVIEW: TEAMING WITH NUTRIENTS by John Ferguson.
  • NEWSLETTER 9TH EDITION  (5/10/2013)
  • WILD OLIVES, SQUIRRELS AND THE OLEANDER STROLL by Brenda Beust Smith.
    MULCH CORNER: Cedar Mulch by John Ferguson.
  • NEWSLETTER 8th EDITION  (5/3/2013)
  • OXALIS, FAIRY GARDENS AND A BLOOMING ALOE! by Brenda Beust Smith.
    TYPES OF MULCHES by John Ferguson.
    FEATURED PLANT OF THE WEEK: Scarlet bouvardia by Heidi Sheesley.
  • NEWSLETTER 7TH EDITION   (4/26/2013)
  • "BEWARE" PLANTS AND A SCARY FIRESPIKE THREAT by Brenda Beust Smith.
    MULCH PITFALLS, PART THREE by John Ferguson.
    How low the soil pH should be to grow certain plants? by Mark Bowen.
  • NEWSLETTER 6TH EDITION  (4/19/2013)
  • AMARYLLIS, PEGGY'S THORNLESS ROSE & VARMINTS IN THE GARDEN by Brenda Beust Smith.
    MULCH PITFALLS PART TWO by John Ferguson.
  • NEWSLETTER 5TH EDITION  (4/12/2013)
  • TOUGH LADIES, MORE HUSBAND TALES AND BLOOMING TREASURES! by Brenda Beust Smith.
    MULCHING PITFALLS by John Ferguson.
    How do I use compost to improve my lawn? by Mark Bowen.
  • NEWSLETTER 4TH EDITION   (4/5/2013)
  • REDBUDS & MONARCHS & GREAT ADVICE by Brenda Beust Smith.
    The Conroe Butterfly Count by David and Ednelza Henderson.
    TOXIC MULCH SYNDROME by John Ferguson.
    John's Tip Of The Week: Spider Mites by John Ferguson.
  • NEWSLETTER THIRD EDITION FINAL  (3/29/2013)
  • GOTTA CHANGE OUR ATTITUDES! by Brenda Beust Smith.
    The 12th annual Conroe Butterfly Count by David Henderson.
    TOXIC MULCH SYNDROME PART 1 by John Ferguson.
    FIFTH WARD FARMER STREET GARDEN NEEDS SOME HELP TO KEEP GROWING FOR THE COMMUNITY by James Phillips.
  • NEWSLETTER SECOND EDITION  (3/21/2013)
  • OF WEEDS AND WINGED WONDERS by Brenda Beust Smith.
    TIME TO START THAT BUTTERFLY GARDEN! by Soni Holladay.
    MULCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING by John Ferguson.
    FIFTH WARD FARMER STREET GARDEN NEEDS SOME HELP TO KEEP GROWING FOR THE COMMUNITY by James Phillips.
    When should I fertilize my lawn and landscape and what do you recommend using? by Mark Bowen.
    My neighbor tells me I have aphids on my crape myrtle trees. What should I do? By Mark Bowen.
  • NEWSLETTER FIRST EDITION  (3/13/2013)
  • Spring Is Here! by Brenda Beust Smith.
    The Biggest Con Game in the Lawn and Garden World by Mike Serant.
    Great Mulches For Spring by John Ferguson.

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