Lazy Gardener And Friends

August 15, 2014

Dear Friends,

Here is the 70th issue of our weekly gardening newsletter for Houston, the Gulf Coast and beyond. This a project of The Lazy Gardener, Brenda Beust Smith, John Ferguson and Mark Bowen (both John and Mark are with Nature's Way Resources). We also have a great supporting cast of contributing writers and technical specialists who will chime in and tweak away regularly. We would love to keep receiving your input on this newsletter . . . . comments . . . . suggestions . . . . questions. . . .Email your thoughts to: lazygardenerandfriends@gmail.com. Thanks so much for your interest.
 
Please  or sign yourself up to receive this newsletter by clicking the "Join Our Mailing List" link just below. We will never sell or share our mailing list to protect the privacy of our subscribers.

Enjoy!

 

 

  
 
Wedelia, left. Plant with caution!  Right, Sharon & Ernie Sanchez's beautiful plumerias 
 
 

 
 
MASTER GARDENER CLASSES ... WEDELIA & PLUMERIAS ... 
STRING-TRIMMING AROUND TREES ... BIRTH OF MICROLIFE


By Brenda Beust Smith



Even after all this time, I still can honestly say - without exception - that the best horticulture dollars I've ever spent paid for my Harris County Master Gardener Course.  

If you aren't familiar with the Master Gardeners, this national volunteer program, affiliated with a land-grant university's cooperative extension service (here Texas A&M), was founded to help advise and educate the public on gardening and horticulture. The movement, now functional in every state, started in the early 1970s in Seattle, WA. 

If you're reading this in a state outside of Texas, the American Horticultural Society has a webpage that routes viewers to each state's Master Gardener program:  http://www.ahs.org/gardening-resources/events-by-region.

The usual route taken by gardeners is to attend an extended Master Gardener course, which brings in top horticultural honchos from a wide variety of disciplines. They share the latest in philosophies, techniques, tools, treatments, you-name-it, under the ever-expanding horticultural umbrella.

MG courses vary from county to county. All have limited space and require volunteer hours in addition to the fee. Upcoming classes include:
 
* FORT BEND COUNTY
The fall Master Gardener course starts Thurs., Oct. 9, and runs each Tuesday and Thursday, 9am-3pm, through Nov. 6 at the AgriLife Extension Service office, 1402 Band Rd. $200 individual/$353 couple. 50 hours volunteer service. Registration deadline is 4pm, Mon., Sept. 22. Details: http://fbmg.com, 281-633-7033 or the AgriLife office.
 
* HARRIS COUNTY.
The 2014 Fall Master Gardener Course is full (see what I mean about signing up early?) Another one isn't scheduled until Fall, 2015. To put your name on the notification list, call 281-854-9600 or email David Parish, dwparish@ag.tamu.edu

* MONTGOMERY COUNTY. 

Our other Greater Houston area counties have not responded to my request for upcoming MG course dates. If you know of any, send the info to lazy gardener@sbcglobal.net. Or check with your county Master Gardener program (  )
 
***
 
Kaye Corey quite rightly took me to task, albeit very nicely, on my recent recommendation of wedelia, left in top photo. She noted that it is horribly invasive.  My contrite response:

You are so right, Kaye.  We had a long narrow bed in our front yard with a small planting of wedelia. When we came back from a two week vacation, the whole bed was a blanket of wedelia, in full bloom. It had grown over a hibiscus and other plantings - a la kudzu. It was very pretty but it would have killed everything in that bed.  Years later, it's still growing in the grass!



Now, one caveat: If you have a confined area (translation: wide expanses of concrete on all four sides), wedelia might make a very tough, pretty ground cover for either hot sun or shade. But it's not a good idea to mix it with other plants unless you don't mind constantly keeping it thinned out.  
 
 
ROOTING PLUMERIA STICKS: Reader John wonders how to root a plumeria "stick" a friend gave him. Thanks, John, for giving me a great excuse to use these pretty plumeria blooms sent in by my cousin, Sharon Sanchez (right photos at top of column).
 
Ernie and Sharon Sanchez been selling cuttings all summer, and still have over 100 plants left. Her advice to those with whom she shares cuttings:

* If it is a fresh cut "stick," cut it again at an angle and insert it in good quality potting soil in a pot. 

* It's better to have a larger pot than smaller.

* They require little care except for water if we haven't had any rain, but watch to see that they are not standing in water.

* Sharon and Ernie  fertilize with bone meal and a specialized fertilizer for plumerias). 

Although many Houstonians, especially to the west and south, are planting plumerias in the garden, those who are truly enamored (as Sharon and Ernie are) tend to keep them in pots.

They dig holes on the garden and set the pots in the holes to help keep the roots cool. Pots, Sharon says, are easier to pull up and protect when freezes are forecast. 
 
More questions? The Plumeria Society of America website, www.theplumeriasociety.org, has an Ask the Experts link. Use them! 
 
A TIP O' THE TROWEL:

* to Richard Stamper, Dave Thomas, Richard Holland and Daryl Resrovich who, according to the Houston Cactus & Succulent Society "Kaktos Komments" newsletter, voluntarily renovated and replanted the barrel gardens at the Houston MultiService Center on West Gray.  This is the site being used by numerous garden clubs and plant societies while the Houston Garden Center is undergoing renovations. Check out the HCSS website: www.hcsstex.org

* to the Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute and Nature Center on its 40th anniversary. Interested in plant photography? This fascinating West Texas site near Fort Travis is celebrating with a photog contest: http://cdri.org.

*  *  *


 

STRING TRIMMERS & TREES. Whether or not a weedeater device was responsible for the trunk base damage to this specific tree, left, is a matter of debate.  But the owner admits that, yes, a weedeater was used around the base many times this past spring. 

It would take too long to go into all the bad things that can, and do, happen when you get too close to tree trunks with weedeaters. Even tiny nicks in the bark will create open wounds that will attract insects and disease. Just don't do it.  

Mulch will take care of invading weeds. But never pile it high against the bark as in the center photo. Vital microbacterial action takes place at that junction where duff forms.  
 
Leave an 8"-10"open collar around the area where the tree trunk and soil and duff meet.  Then start your mulch ring. It's okay to "volcano" your mulch, right, as professional landscapers here tend to do.  Just don't let the mulch touch the tree.  Even better idea to help stop weeds, put several layers of newspaper under the mulch ring.   
 

*Note: If you haven't seen your specialty plant group in our "Society Spotlight," it could be because
we do not have valid email address for you. To make sure your group is contacted, email us at lazygardener@sbcglobal.net. 
 
* * *


.

Editor's Note: We have found over the years it is very interesting and insightful to find out more about how different gardening products, plant cultivars and gardens came to be. Along these lines, we asked Mike Serant with San Jacinto Environmental to share his story. Hope you enjoy it.




 

 

JOHN'S CORNER 

 

 

Will be back next week. Stay tuned!

 

 


 

  
   WEEKLY EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS CALENDAR

 (Events in Houston unless otherwise noted. No events picked up from other newsletters or media releases.  Submit written in the format below, specifically earmarked for publication in the Lazy Gardener & Friends Newsletter.) 

 

  

    

  

Sat., Aug. 16: Successful Fall Vegetable Gardening by Luke Stripling, 9-11:30am, Galveston County AgriLife Extension Office, Carbide Park, 4102 Main (FM 519), La Marque. Galveston County Master Gardeners event. Reservations: 281-534-3413, ext. 12 or GALV3@wt.net

Sat., Aug. 16: Vermicomposting - Raising Worms & Harvesting Castings for Fertilizer by Fort Bend Master Gardeners, 9 am, County Extension Office, 1402 Band Rd, Rosenberg. $15 ($25 couple). Details: 281-342-3034, brandy.rader@ag.tamu.edu; http://fortbendagrilife.org; www.fbmg.com 

    

Sat., Aug. 16: Water Star Gardens and Great Houston Plants, 10 am, Maude Smith Marks Library, 1815 Westgreen Blvd., Katy. Free. Harris County Master Gardener event. Details: hcmga.tamu.edu/public

 

Sat, Aug 16: Urban Harvest's Starting a Community or School Garden, Class 2. 9-11:30am. $36. Urban Harvest, 2311 Canal St # 124, 77003.  Details: 713-880-5540 or www.urbanharvest.org

  

Mon., Aug. 18: Open Garden Day, with Harris County Master Gardeners at Precinct 2. 8:30-11am, Genoa Friendship Garden,1202 Genoa Red Bluff Rd. 9:30am-Fall Vegetable Gardening (adults); make a bird feeder/bath (children). Free. Gardens open, plant sale every Monday, May - October.  Details: https://hcmga.tamu.edu/Public/pubP2.aspx 

  

Tues., Aug. 19: Gardening by the Square Foot by John Jons, Galveston County AgriLife Extension Office, Carbide Park, 4102 Main (FM 519), La Marque. Galveston County Master Gardeners event. Reservations: 281-534-3413, ext. 12 or  GALV3@wt.net      

  

Tues., Aug. 19: Water Star Gardens and Great Houston Plants, 6:30 pm, Recipe for Success, 4400 Yupon St. Free. Harris County Master Gardener event. Details: hcmga.tamu.edu/public

  

Wed., Aug. 20: Aquaponics by Jim Bundscho, 10am, Clear Lake Park Meeting Room, 5001 Nasa Parkway,  Seabrook. Harris County Master Gardeners Precinct 2 event. Free. Details: https://hcmga.tamu.edu/Public/pubP2.aspx  

  

Thur., Aug. 21: Water Star Gardens and Great Houston Plants, 6:30 pm, Tracy Gee Community Center, 3599 Westcenter, Free. Harris County Master Gardener event. Details: hcmga.tamu.edu/public   

  

Thurs., Aug. 21:  Get Out There Houston by Laurie Roddy, 7:30-9 pm, Houston Arboretum, 4501 Woodway. Free. Native Plant Society of Texas/Houston Chapter event. Details: www.npsot.org/houston.
 
Sat., Aug. 23: "Organic Gardening, Making your Yard Safe for Children and Pets", Woodlands Home and Garden show, John Ferguson, 11:30 am, Woodlands Marriott Hotel, www.woodlandsshows.com 
 
Sat, Aug 23,: Urban Harvest's Low Volume Irrigation. 9-11:30am. $36. UH Central Campus, 4800 Calhoun, Roy Cullen Hall #104, Houston 77004. For more info: 713-880-5540 or www.urbanharvest.org

 

Sat.-Sun., Aug. 23-24: 12th Annual Fall Home & Garden Show, 9am-7pm Sat., 10am-6pm Sun., The Woodlands Waterway Marriott, 1601 Lake Robbins Dr. Garden speakers Mark Bowen, John Ferguson, Randy Lemmon & Brenda Beust Smith. Details: www.woodlandsshows.com

  

Sun., Aug. 24: "Q&A with the Lazy Gardener" by Brenda Beust Smith, 11:30am on stage with cuttings give-away, noon-4pm in booth, Woodlands Home & Garden Show, The Woodlands Waterway Marriott, 1601 Lake Robbins Dr. Details: www.woodlandsshows.com  

  

Tues., Aug. 26: Backyard Series: Strawberries by Robert Marshall, 6:30-8pm, Galveston County AgriLife Extension Office, Carbide Park, 4102 Main (FM 519), La Marque. Galveston County Master Gardeners event. Reservations: 281-534-3413, ext. 12 or  GALV3@wt.net      

  

Tues. Aug. 26: Open Garden Day/Water Star Gardens and Great Houston Plants, tours, workshops, 9-11:30am, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office Demonstration Gardens, 3033 Bear Creek Dr.. Free. Harris County Master Gardener event. Details: hcmga.tamu.edu/public

  

Tues., Aug. 26: Attracting Wildlife to Your Yard by Glenn Olsen, 2-3pm, Sugar Land Branch Library, 550 Eldridge, Sugar Land. Free Sugar Land Garden Club event. Details: sugarlandgardenclub.org 


Tues., Aug. 26: Fall Gardening by Tom LeRoy, 6-8:30pm, site to be announced. $10. Waller County Master Gardeners event. First United Methodist Church, 1010-7th St., Hempstead. $10 by Aug. 25; $15 on site. Reservations: 979-826-7651.     
 

Wed. Aug. 27: Landscaping with Cactus & Succulents. Houston Cactus & Succulents Society event. Metropolitan Multiservices Center, 1475 West Gray. 7:30 pm. Free. http://hcsstex.org/


Wed., Sept. 3: Mulch and Compost by John Ferguson, 9am, University Baptist Church, (second floor), 16106 Middlebrook Drive. Gardeners by the Bay Garden Club event.  Details: Marjorie, 409-877-9784


Thurs., Sept. 4: Terrariums 191 by Ann Wegenhof, 10am, Municipal Utility Building #81, 805 Hidden Canyon Dr., Katy. Free. Nottingham Country Garden Club event. Details: www.nottinghamgardenclub.org  or 713-870-5915.

 

Thurs., Sept.4: Mercer Botanic Garden 40th Anniversary Distinguished Lecture: Tony Avent on "Exploration to Exploitation: the Road from Plant Discovery to Market," 6:30pm, Houston Museum of Natural Science, 5555 Hermann Park Drive.  Ticket details: 713-639-4629 or visit www.hmns.org/lectures


Fri., Sept. 5: Mercer Botanic Gardens 40th Anniversary Special Lecture: Tony Avant on "Backyard Beauties - In Search of Overlooked and Exceptional Natives," 10am, Mercer Botanic Gardens, 22306 Aldine Westfield, Humble. Reservations: 281-443-8731. 


Sat, Sept 6: Urban Harvest's Rainwater Harvesting, Rain Barrels & More. 9-11:00am.  $36. UH Central Campus, 4800 Calhoun, Bldg & Room TBA, Houston 77004. Details: 713-880-5540 or www.urbanharvest.org 

  

Sat.-Sun., Sept. 6-7: The Galveston Bay Orchid Society Show & Sale, Sat. 8am-5pm, Sun. 9am-4pm, South Shore Harbour Resort & Conference Center, 2500 South Shore Blvd., League City, TX. Free. Details: www.galvestonbayorchidsociety.org

  

Sat-Sun, Sept. 6-7: Houston Cactus & Succulents Society Show and Sale. Metropolitan Multiservices Center, 1475 West Gray. 9:00 am - 5:00 pm. Many interesting and rare plants. Free.http://hcsstex.org/ 

 

Mon., Sept. 8: Biblical Gardening by John Ferguson, 10am, Amergy Bank Building, 28201 Hwy 249 Business, Second Floor, Tomball. Tomball Garden Club event. 

 

Sat, Sept 13: Urban Harvest's Constructing the Home Vegetable & Fruit Garden. 9-11:30am.  $36. Location TBA, Houston. Details:  713-880-5540 or www.urbanharvest.org

Sat., Sept. 13:  Wildscapes Workshop & Native Plant Sale and lecture: Douglas Tallamy, Ph.D., on "Bringing Nature Home," 8:30am - 3:30pm, Houston Zoo Brown Education Center, 6200 Hermann Park Drive. $40, $50 after Aug. 29. Native Plant Society of Texas/Houston Chapter event. Details: 832-859-9252 or www.npsot.org/houston.  

  

Sat., Sept. 13: Fall Lawn Care-What To Do When, 10:15am, at both Cornelius Nursery locations, 1200 N. Dairy Ashford and 2233 S. Voss. http://www.corneliusnurseries/events


Thurs., Sept. 18:  Green Roofs by Dustin Brackney, Houston Zoo Horticulture Supervisor: 7:30-9 pm, Houston Arboretum, 4501 Woodway. Free. Native Plant Society of Texas/Houston Chapter event. Details: www.npsot.org/houston

    

Sat, Sept 20: Urban Harvest's Fall Vegetable Gardening: What to Plant Now. 9-11:30am.  $36. UH Central Campus, 4800 Calhoun, Bldg & Room TBA, Houston 77004. Details: 713-880-5540 or www.urbanharvest.org 


Wed., Sept. 20: Native Plants for Your Landscape by Montgomery County Master Gardeners, 9am-3:30pm, Texas AgriLife Extension office  Association, 9020 FM 1484 Rd, Conroe. $15. Preregister at www.mcmga.com or 936-539-7824.


Sat., Sept. 20: Colorful Fall Colors, 10:15am, at both Cornelius Nursery locations, 1200 N. Dairy Ashford and 2233 S. Voss.  http://www.corneliusnurseries/events

 

Thurs., Sept. 23: Outstanding Plants - Texas Gulf Coast Gardener - Tier-2, 9-week course begins, Tuesdays, 9am-3pm, Mercer Botanic Gardens, 22306 Aldine-Westfield, Humble. Details/reservations: 281-443-8731. (Tier 1 starts Sept. 25. Need not attend #I to attend #2)
 

Thurs., Sept.25: Mercer Botanic Gardens 40th Anniversary Distinguished Lecture: Dr. Peter Raven on "Plant Conservation in a Rapidly Changing World," 6:30pm, Houston Museum of Natural Science, 5555 Hermann Park Drive. Ticket details: 713-639-4629 or www.hmns.org/lectures.

 

Thurs., Sept. 25: Principles of Gardening - Texas Gulf Coast Gardener Tier-1, 9-week course begins, Thursdays, 9am-3pm, Mercer Botanic Gardens, 22306 Aldine-Westfield, Humble. Details/reservations: 281-443-8731. (Tier 2 starts Sept. 23)

 

Thurs., Sept.25: Mercer Botanic Gardens 40th Anniversary Distinguished Lecture: Dr. Peter Wyse on "Growing an Ark: The Expanding Role of Botanic Gardens in Plant Conservation," 6:30pm, Houston Museum of Natural Science, 5555 Hermann Park Drive. Ticket details: 713-639-4629 or www.hmns.org/lectures.


Sat., Sept. 27: Texas Rose Rustlers 2014 Fall Cutting Exchange, 10am, Brookwood Community, Brookshire. To request cuttings of specific antique roses, email: thetexasroserustlers@texasroserustlers.com. Details: texasroserustlers.com

  

Sat., Sept. 27:  Sugar Land Garden Club Fall Festival and Plant Sale, 8:30am-1pm, Knights of Columbus Hall, 702 Burney Road, Sugar Land (new location).  Details: www.SugarLandGardenClub.org; Diana Miller, 713-724-3113,  dmiller@realtor.com


Sat., Sept. 27: Gorgeous Autumn Color in Containers, 10:15am, at both Cornelius Nursery locations, 1200 N. Dairy Ashford and 2233 S. Voss. http://www.corneliusnurseries/events

 

Sat, Sept 28: Urban Harvest's Sustainable Living Through Permaculture, Class 1. 2-6pm. $40. Private Residence @ 610 West Loop/Stella Link.  Detais:  713-880-5540 or www.urbanharvest.org 

   

Thurs., Oct. 2: Garden Club of Houston Bulb and Plant Mart Early Bird Shopping and Party
,
4:30-7:30, St. John the Divine Episcopal Church, 2450 River Oaks Blvd. $20. Details: 
(Note new site)

  

Fri., Oct. 3: Garden Club of Houston Bulb and Plant Mart, 9am-5pm; St. John the Divine Episcopal Church 2450 River Oaks Blvd. Free. Details: Details: www.gchouston.org/BulbPlantMart.aspx. (Note new site)

  

Sat., Oct. 4: Garden Club of Houston Bulb and Plant Mart, 9am- 2pm, St. John the Divine Episcopal Church 2450 River Oaks Blvd. Free. www.gchouston.org/BulbPlantMart.aspx. (Note new site)


Sat., Oct. 4: Montgomery County Master Gardeners Pre-Fall Plant Sale Presentation (sale is Oct. 4), 8am-9am, Agrilife Extension Office, 9020 Airport Road, Conroe. Free. Details: http://www.mcmga.com


Sat., Oct. 4: Mercer Botanic Gardens Autumn Plant Sale and Market/Houston Bonsai Society workshops & displays, 8am-3pm, 22036 Aldine-Westfield, Humble. Free. Details: 281-443-8731

  
Sat.-Sun., Oct. 4-5: Spring Branch African Violet Club Annual Fall Sale, 10am-4pm Sat., 10am-3pm Sun, Judson Robinson Jr. Community Center, 2020 Hermann Dr. Free. Details: Karla Ross, 281-748-8417, kjwross@yahoo.com

 

Wed., Oct. 8:  Winter Vegetable Gardens by Darnell Schreiber, Lunch Bunch, Mercer Botanic Gardens, 22306 Aldine-Westfield, Humble. Free. Details 281-443-8731. 


Thur., Oct. 9: "Soil Biology and Gardening", "Mulches and Compost","Backyard and Small Scale Composting" by John Ferguson, Mercer Arboretum, 9am - 3 pm, Texas Gulf Coast Gardeners Class. Details: http://www.hcp4.net  

  

Fri.-Sat., Oct. 10-11: The Southern Garden Symposium, St. Francisville, LA. http://www.southerngardensymposium.org      


Sat., Oct. 11: A Day of Bonsai Fall Show, Mercer Botanic Gardens, 22306 Aldine-Westfield. Details: 281-443-8731


Thurs., Oct. 16:  Plant Propagation by Randy Johnson, Horticultural Consultant- Randy Johnson Organics: 7:30-9 pm, Houston Arboretum, 4501 Woodway. Free. Native Plant Society of Texas/Houston Chapter event. Details: www.npsot.org/houston    


Sat.-Sun., Oct. 25-26:  Southwest Bromeliad Guild Show and Sale (Texas & Louisiana), DoubleTree Hotel Houston Airport, 15747 JFK Blvd. Sale: 9am-5pm Sat.;10am-3pm Sun. Show: 2pm-5pm Sat.; 10am-3pm Sun. Free. Details: Gene Powers, 281-633-9036.


 Fri., Oct. 31: 3rd Annual Sustainable Landscapes Conference, 8am-3pm, Big Stone Lodge, Dennis Johnson Park, 709 Riley Fuzzell Road, Spring. Details/reservations: 281-443-8731


 Wed., Nov.12: Herb Gardening for Home Use by Marilyn O'Connor, noon-2pm, Lunch Bunch, Mercer Botanic Gardens, 22306 Aldine-Westfield, Humble. Details/reservations: 281-443-8731

 

Tues., Nov. 18: Ten Commandments of Lazy Gardening by Brenda Beust Smith, 10am, Knights of Columbus Hall, 702 Burney Road, Sugar Land. Sugar Land Garden Club event. Details: sugarlandgardenclub.org


Thurs., Nov. 20:  Native Seed & Plant Swap and Social,7:30-9 pm, Houston Arboretum, 4501 Woodway. Free. Native Plant Society of Texas/Houston Chapter event. Details: www.npsot.org/houston

 

Mon., April 21: What's Blooming in the Lazy Gardener's Garden by Brenda Beust Smith, 10am, Walden on Lake Houston Club House.  Lake Houston Ladies Club event. Non-member reservations required:Carol Dandeneau. #832-671-4475


 

 


 

 

  

  

WANT YOUR EVENT IN THE LG&F CALENDAR?    YOU HAVE TO SEND IT TO US!

EVENTS WILL NOT BE PICKED UP FROM OTHER NEWSLETTERS OR GENERAL MEDIA RELEASES.
 
To ensure rapid publication, submit events in the exact STRAIGHT LINE  format used above so they can be copied and pasted right in. Events NOT submitted in our format will take longer to get published as someone has to reformat and retype them. Email to: lazygardener@sbcglobal.net  

  

Need speakers for your group?  Or tips on getting more publicity for events? Brenda's free booklets that might help:  "Lazy Gardener's Speakers List" of area horticultural/environmental experts, and "Lazy Gardener's Publicity Booklet" (based on her 40+ years of her Houston Chronicle "Lazy Gardener" coverage of area events)  Email specific requests to: lazygardener@sbcglobal.net.
Please help us grow by informing all your membership of this weekly newsletter! 







                                             


                                                ABOUT US



 
BRENDA BEUST SMITH
 
WE KNOW HER BEST AS THE LAZY GARDENER . . . 

. . . but Brenda Beust Smith is also:

   * a national award-winning writer & editor
   * a nationally-published writer & photographer 
   * a national horticultural speaker
   * a former Houston Chronicle reporter
   
When the Chronicle discontinued Brenda's 45-year-old Lazy Gardener" print column a couple of years ago, it ranked as the longest-running, continuously-published local newspaper column in the Greater Houston area.

Brenda's gradual sideways step from Chronicle reporter into gardening writing led first to an 18-year series of when-to-do-what Lazy Gardener Calendars, then to her Lazy Gardener's Guide book and now to her Lazy Gardener's Guide on CD (which retails for $20. However, $5 of every sale is returned to the sponsoring group at her speaking engagements).

A Harris County Master Gardener, Brenda has served on the boards of many Greater Houston area horticulture organizations and has hosted local radio and TV shows, most notably a 10+-year Lazy Gardener run on HoustonPBS (Ch. 8) and her call-in "EcoGardening" show on KPFT-FM. 

Brenda recently ended her decades-long stint as Production Manager of the Garden Club of America's BULLETIN magazine. Although still an active horticulture lecturer and broad-based freelance writer,  Brenda's main focus now is  THE LAZY GARDENER & FRIENDS HOUSTON GARDEN NEWSLETTER with John Ferguson and Mark Bowen of Nature's Way Resources.

A native of New Orleans and graduate of St. Agnes Academy and the University of Houston, Brenda lives in Aldine and is married to the now retired Aldine High School Coach Bill Smith. They have one son, Blake.

Regarding this newsletter, Brenda is the lead writer, originator of it and the daily inspiration for it. We so appreciate the way she has made gardening such a fun way to celebrate life together for such a long time.
 
 
JOHN FERGUSON
 
John is a native Houstonian and has over 27 years of business experience. He owns Nature's Way Resources, a composting company that specializes in high quality compost, mulch, and soil mixes. He holds a MS degree in Physics and Geology and is a licensed Soil Scientist in Texas. 
 
John has won many awards in horticulture and environmental issues. He represents the composting industry on the Houston-Galveston Area Council for solid waste. His personal garden has been featured in several horticultural books and "Better Homes and Gardens" magazine. His business has been recognized in the Wall Street Journal for the quality and value of their products. He is a member of the Physics Honor Society and many other professional societies.  John is is the co-author of the book Organic Management for the Professional. 
 
For this newsletter, John contributes articles regularly and is responsible for publishing it.


MARK BOWEN
 
Mark is a native Houstonian, a horticulturist and organic specialist with a background in garden design, land restoration and organic project management. He is currently the general manager of Nature's Way Resources. Mark is also the co-author of the book Habitat Gardening for Houston and Southeast Texas, the author of the book Naturalistic Landscaping for the Gulf Coast, co-author of the Bayou Planting Guide and contributing landscape designer for the book Landscaping Homes: Texas. 
 
With respect to this newsletter, Mark serves as a co-editor and occasional article contributor.


PABLO HERNANDEZ
 
Pablo Hernandez is the special projects coordinator for Nature's Way Resources. His realm of responsibilities include: serving as a webmaster, IT support, technical problem solving/troubleshooting, metrics management, quality control, and he is a certified compost facility operator.
 
Pablo helps this newsletter happen from a technical support standpoint. 
 
 
 
 
 
COUPON: 20% Off Our Tropical Soil Mix At Nature's Way Resources www.natureswayresources.com
. (Offer good for retaill purchases of bulk material only at Nature's Way Resources (101 Sherbrook Circle, Conroe TX).
I
 
Offer Expires: 08/29/14