SEPTEMBER 25, 2015

Dear Friends,

Here is the 125th issue of our weekly gardening newsletter for Houston, the Gulf Coast and beyond. We really appreciate all of our readers hanging in there with us, sharing stories and inspiring us in so many ways. 
 
Thanks so much!
 
This newsletter is a project of The Lazy Gardener, Brenda Beust Smith, John Ferguson and Mark Bowen.(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: [email protected]. 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!

 
 

QUERY FOR YOU . . . FLOWERS FOR DISCERNING BUYERS 
. . .  PRAISING (AND LEARNING FROM) PRAIRIES 
. . . READER FEEDBACK - ALWAYS WELCOME!

BY BRENDA BEUST SMITH
Before we get to the good stuff, I have a question for you.  As those of you who have been with me through the Chronicle years - and now this incredibly-fun-to-write newsletter column -  know well, I don't have "gardens" or a "landscape." I have a "Lazy Gardener Laboratory" - in which amaryllis have been blooming every spring for almost 50 years.

I have NEVER had an amaryllis bloom in September . . . before now. See that photo at left above?  Not only is one flower opening, that's another bud behind it. Is this an anomaly?  Or something normal that just hasn't happened for me before?

It's not rare for spring bloomers (e.g. azaleas, pink magnolias)  to suddenly flower again in fall after traumatic weather (like extremely high winds) or after a severe drought which throws them into dormancy.  But we've had ample rainfall, no heavy winds, nothing I can think of.  If you have amaryllis that bloom in fall, or if you know why this might suddenly occur on an amaryllis that has always bloomed in spring, please do share!

----

For the past 73 years, the Garden Club of Houston's Bulb & Plant Mart has attracted the most discerning of gardeners, those who enjoy raising eyebrows, popping eyes, having visitors exclaim: "What's THAT?"
 
GCH's Dodie Jackson is betting this year the truly knowledgeable Earlier Birders (as these folks know they must be) will head first for . . . 
 
 
. . . Top, left to right, Tulip 'Sky High Scarlet," Daffodils 'Big Gun' and 'Curly," and, 
below, Hosta 'Guacamole' and Alium 'Purple Sensation.'
 
 
And the best news of all, the money raised at the Bulb Mart has, for 73 years, been poured back into the community, helping to fund (to name just a few) the Texas Medical Center's GCH Park, Houston Hospice, the Houston's Museum of Natural Science (including incredible expensive plants at the Cockrell Butterfly Center, the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, the Hogg Bird Sanctuary and Urban Harvest.

The 2015 Bulb & Plant Mart location is new: St. John the Divine Church, 2450 River Oaks Boulevard (at Westheimer). Admission is free to the Oct. 2-3 sale (9-5 Fri & 9-2 Sat). But for $20 per family, Early Bird Shopping is available during a Patio Party Thursday, Oct. 2 (4:30-7:30).  John Ferguson and I will be at the Mart Friday only in the Ask the Expert Booth, me late morning and John afternoon. Stop by!

Remember: tulips, hyacinths, muscari and crocus must be refrigerated four to six weeks before planting in order to get spring blooms. The greenery will come up, but the flower itself will probably "blast" (bloom on a short stem down close to the ground. Put bulbs in a paper sack in the refrigerator. Make sure they don't touch side walls. Tips on forcing bulbs for winter bloom. (This is an old column of mine - ignore any event dates!)

READER FEEDBACK - ALWAYS WELCOME!

* COCKRELL BUTTERFLY CENTER'S NANCY GREIG sent in a clarification on our monarch migration dates. Look for these jewels of nature in the Greater-Houston area mid-October thru early November.

* MERCER BOTANIC GARDEN'S SUZZANNE CHAPMAN writes, "Great newsletter.  Biodynamics is another term I  heard on a wine trip to Northern California." Biodynamics is their term for, among other practices, incorporating flower gardens to encourage pollinators, chicken and goats to eat leftover plant material, and provide manure. Turns out, vines are producing low yields but with more concentrated flavorful grapes, etc.

* HOUSTON GREEN BUILDING RESOURCE CENTER'S STEVE STELZER wants all to know about
 
     -- Free guided tours of  BBVA Compass Stadium, a LEED Certified Silver bulding, Fri., Oct. 9,
         11am-2pm. Meet at the Guard building, Hutchins at Walker. houstontx.gov/mayor/leedtour.pdf
 
     -- Sat., Oct. 10, 10am-2pm, 50- & 60-gal. compost bins for sale at 60-65% discounted prices.  
 
     -- STAR Master Composter Program. Thurs.-Sun, Oct. 15-18 ($40).

* PRAIRIE MONTH - OCT. 3-NOV. 14. Ten conservation groups are drawing our eye to our prairies.  
But before I elaborate, you may be wondering why, in a gardening column, we're talking about green buildings, prairies and wineries.  Simply because these are no longer "separate topics."
   
Many of our hardiest plants in this area come from our prairies.  Businesses, like these wineries, now either willingly - or under mandate - utilizing wisdom of gardeners through the ages for a variety of purposes. In the process, their horticulture-related efforts more frequently end up attracting pollinators (like butterflies & hummingbirds) so essential to overall ecological health. With their $$$ resources, they may discover new techniques or tricks that we will be able to use too.
   
We're all trying to survive in the same EarthBoat, you know. PS. Thanks to Chuck Duplant for that wonderful prairie photo of that beetle atop a liatris bloom.

Houston may be the Bayou City now, but once it was known as the "Prairie Dynamo" because of the coastal prairie ecosystem essential to monarch butterflies, birds, and other prairie wildlife. And a full line-up of free activities have been designed to show gardeners and others how to gather seed, open rarely-visited preserves and share knowledge: 
  * Oct. 3 and Nov. 7 - U.S. Fish & Wildlife guided tours of Attwater Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge 
  * Oct. 17 - Armand Bayou Nature Center's Prairie Pandemonium, our oldest annual prairie planting event. 
  * Oct. 31 - The Not-So-Scary Prairie Trick-or-Treating event on the Katy Prairie. 
  * Nov. 8 - Prairie Heritage Day in Rosenberg daylong family celebration hosted by the Texas Master Naturalists - Coastal Prairie Chapter. 
  * Nov. 12-14 - Southern Plains & Prairies Conference at the Houston Zoo and other Greater Houston sites welcomes landowners, scientists, educators and other from across the nation.  
  * Nov. 14 - Prairie Plant-a-Thon at Sheldon Lake State Park and Environmental Learning Center is one of the largest restoration days on the Gulf Coast. 
  * Nov. 14 - Putting Down Roots on the Flat Out Wonderful Katy Prairie is a huge volunteer-led planting on a newly restored 55-acre prairie just northwest of Katy.  

Details/registration on all events:
prairiepartner.org/page/prairiemonth
 

****

HAPPY NEWS: Mark Bowen, John Ferguson and I will all be at The Woodlands Landscape Solutions Saturday, Sept. 26, 9am-12pm at 8203 Millennium Forest Drive, The Woodlands, TX.


SAD NEWS: After 30 years of helping us fill our gardens with carefree shrubs, Mike Shoup has announced the  Antique Rose Emporium's garden center in Independence is for sale. I remember PRE-ARE, when Mike and old rose fanatics (as they were known back then) like Margaret Sharp, S J Derby, Bill Welch, Pam Puryear and others scoured the Navasota-Brenham-Chappell Hill area and beyond, taking cuttings of tenacious rose bushes surviving on old abandoned homesteads, in remote cemeteries and the like.

I remember scores of folks sending Mike cuttings from grandma's garden to identify. Mike didn't need to advertise once he turned his full horticulture business acumen to antiques - reporters like me were beating a path to the ARE to interview him about the latest discover to hit the retail market. ARE's mail order and wholesale divisions will continue to sell roses but are separate from the garden center, which is for sale.

The ARE, below, will be missed, my man. I wish you the very best and hope you find a buyer who's even half as neat (and as cute) as you are. But I bet it's never be quite the same again. 
 
 
 
Please help me honor the MOTHER OF TEXAS by sharing this information on your Facebook, etc., page! The 6th Annual Jane Long Festival, will be Sat., Oct. 10, at historic Fort Travis on Bolivar Peninsula, Jane Long Highway (87) near the Bolivar Ferry Landing. Free - 10am-4pm. Want to know more about Jane? www.janelongfestival.org or www.facebook.com/janelongfestival. Or, for a complete Jane Long Festival kit, email: lazy [email protected]

 




JOHN'S CORNER 

 
 
WEEDS and HERBICIDES: ROUND-UP - UPDATE 1

Since the annoucment a few months ago that Round-Up (Glyphosate) is a carcinogen by the World Health Organization there has been a steady stream of reports and research articles being released.  It is almost like many researchers were afraid to say anything or publish their results before.

Adding to the growing list of warnings is California's  Environmental Agency which has listed glyphosate as carcinogenic and added to it's list of chemicals known to cause cancer, birth defects and other reproductive harm.

Pollution from Round-Up is so severe that a study from Mississippi's delta region found glyphosate in 75% of all air and water samples over a 12 year period. 

Glyphosate contamination is systemic in that it is in every cell of the plant from the roots to the growing tip. Unlike some pesticides, one cannot wash off glyphosate before cooking or eating hence this toxic chemical ends up in our bodies. Crops that have been genetically engineered (GMO) to withstand much higher concentrations of glyphosate have much higher levels of this toxic chemical in there cells.  As we discussed previously, the glyphosate ties up nutrients, hence it alters the nutritional content of the crop, disrupts the biosynthesis of aromatic amino acids (these are the ones the body cannot make and must come from our food), the tie-up of sulfur impairs the sulfate transport and sulfur metabolism required for so many of our metabolic processes that are required for us to be healthy.

Another side effect of eating foods that have been treated with Round-Up is that there is a large disruption of the microbial function throughout our bodies, reducing the beneficial microbes in particular resulting in an increase of pathogens (over growth).  This also leads to digestive disorders like heartburn, leaky gut and gluten intolerance.  Glyphosate also shuts down many enzymes that detoxify the body, hence enhancing the damaging effects of food borne chemical residues and environmental toxins.  As the microbes break the glyphosate down in our stomach and guts ammonia is created which leads to inflamation in our brains that is associated with autism and Alzeimer's disease.

Note: Only 1 ppm of glyphosate kills good bacteria and destroys the Microbiome we need for good health.  There is a YouTube video on this subject titled "Engineered Food and Your Health: The Nutritional Status of GMO's".

Another research article in the Journal of Agricultural Sciences found that  in genetically engineered soy beans (over 94% of all soy sold in the USA), the genetic modification disrupts the plants natural ability to control stress and allows the production of formaldehyde (a know carcinogen) in the bean.  Additionally they found a large reduction in the anti-oxidant glutathione required for cellular detoxification. Note: GMO soy is now found in most baby food products unless they are certified organic.

One study on goats that were fed GMO soy, the researchers found that the DNA in the goats was altered and the milk produced was of lower quality which affected the offspring.  One of the findings was that the colostrum that transfers immunity to the baby contained DNA fragments that are not suppossed to be there (not normally found in goat milk). The immunoglobulin concentration was lowered and the colostrum had significantly reduced levels of protiens and fat.  The baby goats had altered physical traits including height differences in their chest and withers (a polite way of saying they had birth defects). 

Another source of GMO contamination in our food supply is from sugar. At least 95% of all sugar beets grown in the USA are now genetically modified and 50% of our "sugar" or "sucrose" is from beet sugar.  The only way to protect your family is to use certifed organic sugar or labeled 100% cane sugar. 
Pet health problems have exploded in recent years from tumors to cancer. The newsletter "Take Part"recently had a headline "Is Your Pet Eating GMO's".  Unless your pet food is labeled GMO free or organic, there is a very high chance that your pet food is contaminated with GMO products. 
Several readers have sent in links to articles about GMO's.  Recent articles in the New England Journal of Medicine (August 20, 2015) and the Journal of the American Medical Society have had articles questioning the safety of GMO foods and the health problems they are causing.

A new report I was reading this morning has found another toxicological problem that had never been investigated before. Round-Up and its active chemical glyphosate actually makes other toxins and heavy metals more damaging to the body than they would normally be! The result was impaired kidney function and kidney disease. The original report was published in the Journal BMC Nephrology and has been confirmed by researchers at multiple universities including MIT.

Due to the immense amount of research data being released on the dangers and health problems caused by GMO crops many countries are now banning the planting of these crops. A few include Russia, France, Hungary, Scotland, Austria, Latvia, Switzerland, Greece, Bulgaria, Ireland, New Zealand, and many more (26 total by one account). Also several countries have partial bans. For example Australia has several of it states that have full bans on GMO's.  Several counties in the state of California have GMO bans. Additionally over 64 countries now require labeling of products containing GMO ingredients.

"A recent investigative study has found that one of the leading proponents of GMO food safety (University of Florida's now disgraced agricultural scientist Dr. Kevin Folta) was actually in financial collusion with Monsanto."  (www.naturalnews.com)

Another headline, "Monsanto's Round-Up Triggers Over 40 Plant Diseases and Endangers Human and Animal Health".  You can read more on the glyphosate issues at www.naturalnews.com/031138_Monsanto _Roundup.html.

Another interesting article from Natural News (Friday August 28, 2015) is "Farmers are drenching crops with glyphosate for faster harvesting". Round-Up is not being used for weed control but to dry out plants quicker to allow faster harvesting. This creates even higher levels of glyphosate residues on our food.

A recent (and alarming) list of 15 diseases linked to Monsanto's Roundup was compiled by the health organization EcoWatch (You can find the list here.).

If you want to learn more, below are a few websites that have additional information on the dangers of Round-Up and GMO's:
www.GMO.news
www.GMOevidence.com
www.GMwatch.org
www.naturalnews.com

As one of the newsletters pointed out it is amazing, with more and more Americans learning about the dangers of Round-Up and eating GMO foods, and with the polls showing over 94% of Americans want labeling, how the news giants like NBC, FOX, ABC, CBS, CNN, etc. have ignored this issue in their reporting.  In other words they dance to the tune of their corporate sponsors and do not care about us the viewers.

As I finish writing this article I just read that the International Agency for Research on Cancer just classified the herbicide known as "2,4-D" as a probable carcinogen.  More on this dangerous and toxic herbicide in future articles.



   *   *   *
WEEKLY GARDENING EVENTS &
ANNOUNCEMENTS 
CALENDAR

TO SUBMIT EVENTS - PLEASE - USE OUR FORMAT! 
Find a similar event in our calendar below and copy the format EXACTLY. 
Then you can add additional information. Email to lazy [email protected].
Not using our format will result in a delay in publication!
Events will not be picked up from other newsletters.

If we inspire you to attend any of these events, please let them know
you heard about it in 
 
THE LAZY GARDENER & FRIENDS NEWSLETTER!
 
  
 

SAT., SEPT. 26: AUTUMN PLANT SALE & MARKET, 10am-4pm, Mercer Botanic Garden , 22306 Aldine-Westfield, Humble. Free. The Mercer Society and Mercer Botanic Garden event. 713-274-4160;
 hcp4.net/community/parks/mercer 
 
SAT., SEPT. 26: PECKERWOOD GARDEN OPEN DAY. 10am-3pm. Peckerwood Garden, 20559 FM 359 Road, Hempstead. $10. Garden Conservancy event. peckerwoodgarden.org, 979-826-3232; [email protected]
 
SAT., SEPT. 26: GARDEN TO TABLE. 9-11am. University of St. Thomas,  Malloy Hall, Room 14, 3918 Yoakum Blvd. $45. Urban Harvest event. 713-880-5540 or urbanharvest.org 
  
SAT., SEPT 26: FALL INTO SPRING - CONNECT THE SEASONS WITH COLOR, 10:00 am, The Arbor Gate, 15635 FM 2920, Tomball.  Free.  arborgate.com or 281-351-8851

SAT., SEPT 26: HARRIS COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS FALL PLANT SALE; OVERVIEW AT 8 AM, SALE FROM 9 AM-1 PM, 3033 Bear Creek Drive. Free. hcmga.tamu.edu/Public/pubSales.aspx; 281-855-5600  

SAT., SEPT. 26: FALL CENTERPIECES FROM THE GARDEN BY  JEFF KRAUSE. 10am, Enchanted Forest, 10611 FM 2759, 281-937-9449; and at Enchanted Gardens, 6420 FM 359, Richmond. 281-341-1206. Free. myenchanted.com 
 
SAT., SEPT. 26 COCKRELL BUTTERFLY CENTER FALL PLANT SALE, 9am-noon, Houston Museum of Natural Science Parking Garage/7th floor, 5555 Hermann Dr. Free parking with $30+ purchase. hmns.org

SAT., SEPT. 26: ORCHIDS FOR BEGINNERS BY ERICA PAQUIN, 10-11am. Buchanan's Native Plants, 611 East 11th. Pay for supplies used. buchanansplants.com/calendar/events
   
SAT., SEPT. 26: FALL FESTIVAL AND PLANT SALE. Treesearch Farms and Brookwood Community Plants. 10am to 5pm. Houston Museum Natural Science at Sugar Land. 13016 Univeristy Blvd, Sugar Land. Free. The Great Grow, Inc.

SAT.-SUN., SEPT. 26-27: HOUSTON CACTUS & SUCCULENT SOCIETY SHOW/SALE. 9am-5pm. Metropolitan Multi-Service Center, 1475 West Gray. Free.
hcsstex.org

SUN., SEPT. 27: SUSTAINABLE LIVING THROUGH PERMACULTURE - CLASS 1. 2-6pm, I-610/Stella Link area residence. $40. Urban Harvest event. 713-880-5540 or urbanharvest.org 
 
SUN., SEPT 27: GRAFTING 101, 11:00 am, The Arbor Gate, 15635 FM 2920, Tomball.  Free.  arborgate.com or 281-351-8851

SUN., SEPT. 27: VEG OUT - FALL GARDENING WITH DIANNE NORMAN, 2-3:30pm, Wabash Feed & Garden, 57-1 Washington Ave. Free. 713-863-8322,
wabashfeed.com 
 
THUR., OCT 1: ATTRACTING BLUEBIRDS TO THE GARDEN, 10:00 am, The Arbor Gate, 15635 FM 2920, Tomball.  Free. arborgate.com 
 
THURS., OCT. 1: ANTIQUE ROSE EMPORIUM & VERSATILITY OF ANTIQUE ROSES IN GARDEN SETTINGS BY MICHAEL SHOUP, 9:30am, Municipal Utility Building, 805 Hidden Canyon Drive, Katy.  Free.  Nottingham Country Garden Club event. nottinghamgardenclub.org or 281-351-8851 
 
THURS., OCT. 1: HOW TO GROW NATIVE MILKWEED BY BARBARA KELLER-WILLY, 6:30pm, Judson Robinson Community Center, 2020 Hermann Dr. Free. Texas Master Naturalists-Gulf Coast chapter. txgcmn.org/

THURS., OCT. 1: 2015 BULB & PLANT MART'S EARLY BIRD SHOPPING PARTY, 4:30-7:30pm, St. John the Divine Church, 2450 River Oaks Blvd. $20. Garden Club of Houston event.
gcahouston.org

FRI.-SAT., OCT. 2-3: 2015 BULB & PLANT MART, 9am-5pm Fri., 9am-2pm Sat., St. John the Divine Church, 2450 River Oaks Blvd. Free. Garden Club of Houston event. gcahouston.org  

SAT., OCT 3: COOL SEASON COLOR by T. Polk, 9-11am, Nature's Way Resources, 101 Sherbrook Circle, Conroe. Free. 936-321-6990;
natureswayresources.com  
 
SAT., OCT. 3: ART OF FALL LANDSCAPE DECORATING, 10:15am, AND FAMILY DAY! FALL FESTIVAL, 9am-6pm, Cornelius Nursery, 2233 S. Voss Road; free. corneliusnurseries.com/events
 
SAT., OCT. 3: CONTAINER VEGETABLE GARDENING. 9-11am. University of St. Thomas, Malloy Hall, Room 14, 3918 Yoakum Blvd. $45. Urban Harvest event. 713-880-5540 or urbanharvest.org

SAT., OCT. 3: FALL FESTIVAL WITH URBAN HARVEST, 10-11am. Buchanan's Native Plants, 611 East 11th Street, free,
www.buchanansplants.com/calendar/events
   
SAT., OCT. 3: GARDENING FOR JEWELS ... HUMMINGBIRDS BY DEBORAH REPASZ, 9-11am; TEXAS TUFF LANDSCAPE PLANTS - BLOOMING & BEAUTIFUL BY SANDRA DEVALL, 1-3pm, Galveston County AgriLife Extension in Carbide Park, 4102 Main, La Marque. Galveston County Master Gardener event. Free. 281-534-3413; [email protected]; SAT., SUN., OCT. 3-4: SPRING BRANCH AFRICAN VIOLET CLUB ANNUAL FALL SALE, 10am-3pm, Judson Robinson Community Center, 2020 Hermann Dr. Free. Karla Ross, 281-748-8417; [email protected]

SUN., OCT. 4: SUSTAINABLE LIVING THROUGH PERMACULTURE - CLASS 2. 12:30-5:30pm. University of Houston Central Campus.  $50. Urban Harvest event.  713-880-5540 or urbanharvest.org 
 
TUES., OCT. 6: THE ABC's OF COMPOSTING BY KEN STEBLEIN, 6:30-8pm, Galveston County AgriLife Extension in Carbide Park, 4102 Main, La Marque. Galveston County Master Gardener event. Free. 281-534-3413; [email protected]; www.aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston 
 
THUR., OCT 8: HERBS - THE BASICS & MORE, 10:00 am, The Arbor Gate, 15635 FM 2920, Tomball.  Free.  arborgate.com; 281-351-8851

THURS, OCT 8: PROPAGATION & SEED SAVING BY HARRIS COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS. 6:30-8:30pm. Barbara Bush Library, 6817 Cypresswood Dr., Spring. Free. hcmga.tamu.edu/Public/docs/2015-green-thumb.pdf; 281-855-5600

THUR. OCT. 8: COMPOST TEA - NATURE'S ELIXIR BY JOHN FERGUSON. 7:30pm, Cherie Flores Center, Hermann Park.
Houstonrose.org  
  
FRI., OCT. 9: 12th ANNUAL WATER QUALITY SYMPOSIUM FEATURING CHAD PREGRACKE, 7:30am-3pm, United Way Community Resource Center, 50 Waugh. Bayou Preservation Association event. bayoupreservation.org
 
FRI., OCT. 9: WATER FOR TEXAS, WATER FOR THE FUTURE BY KATHLEEN JACKSON, 10:15am, White Oak Conference Center, 7603 Antoine Drive.  Free. Houston Federation of Garden Clubs. houstonfederationgardenclubs.org

SAT., OCT. 10: GALVESTON COUNTY MASTER GARDENER FALL SALE, 8am-Preview; 9am-1pm Sale, Wayne Johnson Community Center in Carbide Park, 4102 Main, La Marque. Free. 281-534-3413; aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston.
 
SAT., OCT. 10: CONSTRUCTING THE HOME VEGETABLE AND FRUIT GARDEN. 9-11am. Westbury Community Garden, 12581 Dunlap. $45. Urban Harvest event. 713-880-5540 or urbanharvest.org 
 
SAT., OCT. 10: PECKERWOOD GARDEN OPEN DAY. 10am-3pm. Peckerwood Garden, 20559 FM 359 Road, Hempstead. $10. Garden Conservancy event. peckerwoodgarden.org, 979-826-3232; [email protected]

SAT., OCT 10: HERBS - THE BASICS & MORE, 10:00 am, The Arbor Gate, 15635 FM 2920, Tomball.  Free. 
arborgate.com or 281-351-8851

SAT., OCT. 10: ATTRACTING BIRDS TO YOUR GARDEN WITH KATHY ADAMS CLARK. 10am. Enchanted Forest, 10611 FM 2759, 281-937-9449, and at 2pm. Enchanted Gardens, 6420 FM 359, Richmond. Free. 281-341-1206, myenchanted.com
 
SAT., OCT. 10: FALL BULB WORKSHOP BY DIANE BULANOWSKI. 10-11am. Buchanan's Native Plants, 611 East 11th. Pay for supplies used. buchanansplants.com/calendar/events    

SAT.-SUN., OCT. 10-11: 38TH ANNUAL CHAPPELL HILL SCARECROW FESTIVAL, Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 9am-5pm. Festival free, $5 parking.chappellhillmuseum.org/scarecrow.html; 979-203-1242 or email [email protected]

SUN., OCT. 11: DESIGNING BOUNTIFUL GARDENS THROUGH PERMACULTURE. 6-classes. University of Houston Central Campus. $404. Urban Harvest event.
713-880-5540 or urbanharvest.org 

WED., OCT 14: HERBAL BEVERAGES, 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm, The Arbor Gate, 15635 FM 2920, Tomball.  Free.
arborgate.com or 281-351-8851
 
WED., OCT. 14: BEYOND CURB APPEAL - THE RESTORATIVE EFFECT OF NATURE by David Renninger. Noon-2pm, Mercer Botanic Garden, 2206 Aldine-Westfield, Humble. Free. 713-274-4160.
 
WED., OCT. 14: AUTUMN GARDENING TIPS BY DEBBIE BANFIELD, 1pm, Dennis Johnson Park, 709 Riley Fuzzel Rd., Spring. Free. 281-350-1029 or visit hcp4.net/community/ccommunitycenters.
 
THURS., OCT. 15: PECKERWOOD GARDEN TAKING ROOT LUNCHEON WITH MICHAEL VAN VALKENBURGH, 11:30am-1pm, Bayou Club, Houston. $150. Peckerwood Garden Conservation Foundation event. Reservations:
 
THUR.-SUN., OCT. 15-18: MASTER COMPOSTER PROGRAM & OCT. 15: BASICS OF COMPOSTING BY JOHN FERGUSON, 5:40pm, Green Building Resource Center, 1002 Washington Ave. Steve Stelzer, 832-394-9050, [email protected]

THURS., OCT 15; PROPAGATION & SEED SAVING BY HARRIS COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS. 6:30-8:30 pm. Freeman Branch Library, 16616 Diana Lane. Free. hcmga.tamu.edu/Public/docs/2015-green-thumb.pdf; 281-855-5600
 
FRI., OCT. 16: TEXAS POLLINATORS GARDEN SYMPOSIUM with FELDER RUSHING: 8am-5pm, Veteran's Conference Center, 455 Hwy 75, Huntsville. $75. Walker County Master Gardeners event.  walkercountymastergardeners.org; 936-435-2426  

SAT., OCT. 17: MOONLIGHT OVER MERCER GALA / BRENDA BEUST SMITH HONOREE, 5 pm, Mercer Botanic Garden, 22306 Aldine-Westfield, Humble. $75. The Mercer Society event. 713-274-7160; [email protected]; themercersociety.org/2013/07/garden-party-2015/

SAT. OCT 17: WALKER COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS BUTTERFLY FESTIVAL AND FALL PLANT SALE.  Free. walkercountymastergardeners.org 936-435-2426 


SAT., OCT 17: ORGANIC VEGETABLES BY THE GUNTER SISTERS, 9am-12pm, Nature's Way Resources, 101 Sherbrook Circle, Conroe, free, 936-321-6990,
natureswayresources.com 

SAT., OCT. 17: THE EDIBLE LANDSCAPE. 9-11am. University of St. Thomas,  Malloy Hall, Room 14, 3918 Yoakum Blvd. $45. Urban Harvest event. 713-880-5540 or
urbanharvest.org

SAT, OCT 17; PROPAGATION & SEED SAVING BY HARRIS COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS. 10am-Noon. Maude Smith Marks Library, 1815 Westgreen, Katy. Free. hcmga.tamu.edu/Public/docs/2015-green-thumb.pdf; 281-855-5600
 
SAT., OCT 17: GARDENING IN THE HELL STRIP, 10am, and TOUGH AS NAILS, PRETTY AS A PICTURE, 2pm,The Arbor Gate, 15635 FM 2920, Tomball.  Free.  arborgate.com or 281-351-8851

SAT., OCT. 17: PUMPKIN PALOOZA. 10am. Enchanted Forest, 10611 FM 2759, Richmond, and at 2pm, 
Enchanted Gardens, 6420 FM 359, Richmond. Free. 281-341-1206 or myenchanted.com 
 
SAT. OCT 17: WALKER COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS BUTTERFLY FESTIVAL AND FALL PLANT SALE.  Free.  walkercountymastergardeners.org, 936-435-2426 
 
SAT., OCT 17: "TOUGH AS NAILS, PRETTY AS A PICTURE" BY FELDER RUSHING, 2:00 pm, The Arbor Gate, 15635 FM 2920, Tomball.  Free. arborgate.com; 281-351-8851  
  
SAT., OCT. 17: MOONLIGHT OVER MERCER: DINE DANCE AND DONATE. 5pm. Mercer Botanic Garden, 2206 Aldine-Westfield, Humble. Reservations: [email protected]; 713-274-4160.
 
SAT., OCT. 17: BURIED TREASURES ... BULBS & OTHER PERENNIALS FOR GULF COAST LANDSCAPES BY ANNA WYGRYS. 9-11am, Galveston County AgriLife Extension, Carbide Park, 4102 Main, La Marque. Free. 281-534-3413; [email protected]; aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston 
 
SAT., OCT. 17: PLANT TEXAS NATIVES! 1pm. Jesse H. Jones Park & Nature Center, 20634 Kenswick Dr. Humble. 281-446-8588

SUN., OCT 18: BEE FORUM BY ANGELA CHANDLER & MATT & KELLY BRANTLEY, 11am, The Arbor Gate, 15635 FM 2920, Tomball.
Free. arborgate.com; 281-351-8851 

MON., OCT. 19: GENOA FRIENDSHIP GARDEN OPEN GARDEN DAY and PLANT SALE, 8:30-11am, 1202 Genoa Red Bluff Rd. Free. Harris County Master Gardeners event. hcmga.tamu.edu 

TUES., OCT 20; PROPAGATION & SEED SAVING BY HARRIS COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS. 6:30-8:30pm, Spring Branch Memorial Library, 930 Corbindale. Free. hcmga.tamu.edu/Public/docs/2015-green-thumb.pdf; 281-855-5600
 
TUES., OCT. 20: THE JOY OF DAYLILIES BY NELL SHIMEK. 6:30-8pm, Galveston County AgriLife Extension, Carbide Park, 4102 Main, La Marque. Free. 281-534-3413; [email protected]; aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston 

TUES., OCT. 20: REDESIGNING THE SOUTHERN LANDSCAPE: RESEARCH PROJECT RESULTS BY DR. WILLIAM WELCH, 10am, St. Basil Hall, 702 Burney Road, Sugar Land; 10 am; free; Sugar Land Garden Club event.  Sugarlandgardenclub.org

WED., OCT. 21: BACKYARD COMPOSTING AND VERMICULTURE. 10am-noon. Houston Museum of Natural Science, Moran Hall, 5555 Hermann Park Dr. $45. Urban Harvest event. Details: 713-880-5540;
urbanharvest.org

WED., OCT. 21: NATIVE PLANTS BY MARK BOWEN, 10am, Clear Lake Park Meeting Room,
5001 NASA Parkway,Seabrook.  Harris County Master Gardeners at Precinct 2 event. hcmga.tamu.edu
 
THUR. OCT. 22: SOIL FOOD WEB BY JOHN FERGUSON, Houston Arboretum, 4501 Woodway. Native Plant Society of Texas/Houston Chapter event.
npsot.org/wp/houston/; 713-254-4778
 
SAT., OCT. 24: PROPER GARDENING TECHNIQUES BY DENNIS MCDONALD, 9am-12pm, Nature's Way Resources, 101 Sherbrook Circle, Conroe, free, 936-321-6990; natureswayresources.com  
 
SAT., OCT. 24: HOUSTON ROSE SOCIETY'S ROSE-A-PALOOZA, Harris County AgriLife Extension Center, 3033 Bear Creek Drive. 10am educational programs; noon - Rose Show. $30. houstonrose.org; [email protected] 

SAT., OCT. 24: PECKERWOOD GARDEN OPEN DAY. 10am-3pm. Peckerwood Garden, 20559 FM 359 Road, Hempstead. $10. Garden Conservancy event. Details: www.peckerwoodgarden.org, [email protected]

SAT., OCT. 24: BACKYARD COMPOSTING AND VERMICULTURE. 10am-noon. Houston Museum of Natural Science, Moran Hall, 5555 Hermann Park Dr. $45. Urban Harvest event. 713-880-5540 or urbanharvest.org 
 
SAT., OCT. 24: MIX-UP A PARTY THIS HOLIDAY SEASON. 10am. Enchanted Forest, 10611 FM 2759, Richmond, 281-937-9449, and at 2pm, Enchanted Gardens, 6420 FM 359, Richmond. Free. 281-341-1206; myenchanted.com
 
SAT., OCT. 24: GUNTER'S HEIRLOOM VEGETABLES BY PAM & LEAH GUNTER, 9am-1pm, & HERBS & WINES BY ANN WHEELER & CHRIS CROWDER, 10am, The Arbor Gate, 15635 FM 2920, Tomball.  Free. arborgate.com; 281-351-8851 
 
SAT., OCT. 24: GARDEN TOOL CARE PRESENTATION & WORKSHOP BY TIM JAHNKE & HENRY HARRISON, III. 9am-noon, Galveston County Master Gardener Demonstration Garden, Carbide Park, 4102 Main, La Marque. Free. 281-534-3413; [email protected], aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston 
 
SAT., OCT. 24: RESIDENTIAL LANDSCAPE WATER CONSERVATION WORKSHOP, 8:30am-noon, Recreation & Tennis Center, 2701 Cypress Point Dr., Missouri City. $25. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, Missouri City Green, City of Missouri City and Fort Bend County Master Gardener event.  fortbend.agrilife.org/water-conservation/ www.missouricitygreen.org or 281-633-7029
 
SUN., OCT. 25: HOW TO ROOT A ROSE BY GAYE HAMMOND, 11am, The Arbor Gate, 15635 FM 2920, Tomball.  Free. arborgate.com; 281-351-8851 
 
TUES., OCT 27: HARRIS COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS OPEN GARDEN DAY & SEMINAR: PROPAGATION & SEED SAVING, 9-11:30am, 3033 Bear Creek Dr. Free.
hcmga.tamu.edu/Public/docs/2015-open-garden-days.pdf; 281-855-5600 
 
WED., OCT. 28: INTERNATIONAL OLEANDER SOCIETY KEWPIE GAIDO LUNCHEON AND ANNUAL MEETING. Lydia Miller, 409-770-4312: www.oleander.org 
 
SAT., OCT. 31: HIGH DENSITY ORCHARD. 9-11am. University of St. Thomas, Malloy Hall, Room 14, 3918 Yoakum Blvd. $45. Urban Harvest event. 713-880-5540 or urbanharvest.org

SAT., OCT. 31: FRIGHTFUL FUN IN THE GARDEN WITH CLINT THE SNAKE MAN. 10am-noon. Enchanted Forest, 10611 FM 2759, Richmond, 281-937-9449  and at 2-4pm, Enchanted Gardens, 6420 FM 359, Richmond, 281-341-1206. Free. myenchanted.com
 
SAT., OCT. 31: HOUSTON BONSAI SOCIETY ANNUAL FALL SHOW, 9am-5pm, Mercer Botanic Garden, 2206 Aldine-Westfield, Humble. Free. 713-274-4160.
 
MON., NOV. 2 & 9: GARDEN DOCENT TRAINING BY JENNIFER GARRISON, 9am, Mercer Botanic Garden, 2206 Aldine-Westfield, Humble. Free. 713-274-4160.
 
THURS., NOV. 5: SHADE GARDENING WITH ELIZABETH BARROW. 9:30am, Municipal Utility Building #81, 805 Hidden Canyon Drive, Katy.  Free.  Nottingham Country Garden Club event. nottinghamgardenclub.org

SAT., NOV. 7: PECKERWOOD GARDEN OPEN DAY. 10am-3pm. Peckerwood Garden, 20559 FM 359 Road, Hempstead. $10. Garden Conservancy event.
peckerwoodgarden.org, 979-826-3232; [email protected]
 
SAT., NOV. 7: STARTING A COMMUNITY OR SCHOOL GARDEN WORKSHOP, 8:30am-2:30pm.  University of St. Thomas, Malloy Hall, Room 14, 3918 Yoakum Blvd. $20. Urban Harvest event. 713-880-5540; urbanharvest.org.
 
WED., NOV. 11: FIRE ANTS & CRAZY ANTS BY DR. PAUL NESTER, noon-2pm, Mercer Botanic Garden, 2206 Aldine-Westfield, Humble. Free. 713-274-4160.
 
WED., NOV 11: EDIBLE LANDSCAPES. 10am-2pm. Houston Museum of Natural Science, Moran Hall, 5555 Hermann Park Dr. $45. Urban Harvest' event. 713-880-5540; urbanharvest.org

FRI., NOV. 13: MOTHS OF TRINITY RIVER REFUGE - GOOD, BAD AND UGLY 
BY  STUART MARCUS, 10:15 am, White Oak Conference Center, 7603 Antoine Dr. Free. Houston Federation of Garden Clubs. houstonfederationgardenclubs.org

SAT., NOV. 14: PRUNING/PREPARING FRUITING TREES & VINES FOR WINTER BY BILL ADAMS, 10am, The Arbor Gate, 15635 FM 2920, Tomball.  Free. arborgate.com; 281-351-8851 
 
SAT., NOV. 14: EDIBLE LANDSCAPES. 9-11am, Houston Museum of Natural Science, Moran Hall, 5555 Hermann Park Dr. $45. Urban Harvest' event. 713-880-5540; urbanharvest.org
 
TUES., NOV. 17: THE RIGHT TREE IN THE RIGHT PLACE BY WILLIAM HALDIK,10am, St. Basil Hall, 702 Burney Road, Sugar Land; 10 am; free; Sugar Land Garden Club event.  Sugarlandgardenclub.org

SAT., DEC. 5: CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE, 3-7pm, The Arbor Gate,
The Arbor Gate, 15635 FM 2920, Tomball.  Free. arborgate.com; 281-351-8851 
           
SAT., DEC. 5: GROWING CITRUS IN HOUSTON, 9-11am. University of St. Thomas, 3918 Yoakum Blvd. $45. Urban Harvest event. 713-880-5540; urbanharvest.org

SAT., DEC. 5: HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE, 10am-4pm, Buchanan's Native Plants, 611 East 11th Street, free,
buchanansplants.com/calendar/events  
WED., DEC. 9: CHRISTMAS CRAFTS USING NATURAL PLANT MATERIALS, noon-2pm, Mercer Botanic Garden, 2206 Aldine-Westfield, Humble. Free. 713-274-4160.
 
FRI., DEC. 11: A WARM GARDENING WELCOME BY BARBARA BAKER, 10:15 am, White Oak Conference Center, 7603 Antoine Drive. Tickets required. Houston Federation of Garden Clubs. houstonfederationgardenclubs.org
 
SAT., DEC. 19: CHRISTMAS GARDENS BIRD COUNT, 8am, Mercer Botanic Gardens, 22306 Aldine-Westfield, Humble. Free. Register at 713-274-4160.

FRI., JAN. 8: PERSONALIZING YOUR GARDEN FOCAL POINTS BY DARNELL SCHREIBER, 10:15am, White Oak Conference Center, 7603 Antoine Drive. Free. Houston Federation of Garden Clubs. houstonfederationgardenclubs.org
 
MONDAYS., JAN. 25-FEB. 29: TEXAS GULF COAST GARDENER, TIER III: THE ART OF LANDSCAPE DESIGN. 9am-3pm. Mercer Botanic Garden, 2206 Aldine-Westfield, Humble. 713-274-4160 
 
WED., JAN. 13: TOP BAR BEEHIVES BY DEAN COOK. Noon-2pm, Mercer Botanic Garden, 2206 Aldine-Westfield, Humble. Free. 713-274-4160.
 
WED., FEB. 10: SPRING INTO YOUR LAWN - ORGANIC LAWN CARE & SPRINGTIME PREP BY BOB DAILEY. noon-2pm, Mercer Botanic Garden, 2206 Aldine-Westfield, Humble. Free. 713-274-4160.

FRI., F
EB. 12: THE HOLISTIC GARDEN, BY DR. JOE NOVAK, 10:15am, White Oak Conference Center, 7603 Antoine Drive. Free. Houston Federation of Garden Clubs. houstonfederationgardenclubs.org
 
WED. MAR. 9: MARCH MART VOLUNTEER TRAINING, 10:30-11:30am, MARCH MART PREVIEW OF SALE PLANTS, noon-2pm, Mercer Botanic Garden, 2206 Aldine-Westfield, Humble. Free. 713-274-4160.

FRI., MAR. 11: BULLET PROOF VIBURNUMS FOR THE GULF SOUTH BY DR. DAVID CREECH, 10:15am, White Oak Conference Center, 7603 Antoine Dr. Free. Houston Federation of Garden Clubs. houstonfederationgardenclubs.org
 
WED. MAR. 12: MARCH MART VOLUNTEER TRAINING, 9:30-10:30am, and MARCH MART PREVIEW OF SALE PLANTS, noon-2pm, Mercer Botanic Garden, 2206 Aldine-Westfield, Humble. Free. 713-274-4160.
 
FRI.-SAT., MAR. 18-19: MARCH MART, 8am-4pm, Mercer Botanic Garden, 2206 Aldine-Westfield, Humble. Free. 713-274-4160.

FRI., APR. 9: XPLORING CREATIVITY BY LILLIAN RICO, 10:15am,  White Oak Conference Center, 7603 Antoine Drive. Free. Houston Federation of Garden Clubs event. houstonfederationgardenclubs.org
 
FRI., MAY 13: NIGHT SOUNDS - TWILIGHT WALK THROUGH THE GARDEN BY DEBBIE BANFIELD, 10:15am, White Oak Conference Center, 7603 Antoine Dr. Free. Houston Federation of Garden Clubs; houstonfederationgardenclubs.org
 
  
If we inspire you to attend any of these events,
please let them know
you heard about it in

THE LAZY GARDENER & FRIENDS NEWSLETTER!
 
 
TO SUBMIT EVENTS:   
Find a similar event in our calendar below and copy the format EXACTLY. 
Then you can add additional information. Email to lazy [email protected]
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   THE ADOPTABLE ANIMAL 
           OF THE WEEK

Winnie is a super sweet, well socialized little black kitten that we think was most likely dumped at Nature's Way Resources. She seems to be about 6-7 weeks old and appears to be in good health. She absolutely loves being an inside cat and is already all set in terms of making it to the litter box. She would would be perfect for someone that is home a good bit and/or has children. She loves to play and cuddle. 

We are looking for someone to either foster or adopt her.

For more information, please contact Jill Limbaugh or Mark Bowen at (936) 321-6990.
THIS NEWSLETTER IS MADE
POSSIBLE BY THE FOLLOWING SPONSORS






                                             


                                                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, certified permaculturist 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 theBayou Planting Guide and contributing landscape designer for the book Landscaping Homes: Texas. 
 
With respect to this newsletter, Mark serves as a co-editor and periodic 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: Nature's Way Resources. 20% off our: Garden Mix Light Plus. http://natureswayresources.com/products.html 
. (Offer good for retail purchases of this product by the cubic yard at Nature's Way Resources (101 Sherbrook Circle, Conroe TX). Expires 10/03/15.
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COUPON: Nature's Way Resources. 25% off our: POMEGRANATES
. (Offer good for retail purchases of this product by the cubic yard at Nature's Way Resources (101 Sherbrook Circle, Conroe TX). Expires 10/03/15.
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