December 25, 2015

Dear Friends,

Here is the 138th 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!

 

 


 
  (BRENDA'S COLUMN WILL BE BACK AFTER THE HOLIDAYS. BUT THE CALENDAR IS STILL BELOW!) 


 
JOHN'S CORNER 



John's column will be back after the holidays.



A PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
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   *   *   *
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 [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 
 
 


 
MON., JAN. 4: GROWING CITRUS BY BETH HOUSE, 10am-noon, Amegy Bank Community Room, 28201 SH 249, Tomball. Free. Tomball Garden Club event, [email protected]

THURS., JAN. 7: IS YOUR STYLE IN  YOUR GARDEN? BY MARGARET SINCLAIR,
9:30am, Municipal Utility Building #81, 805 Hidden Canyon Dr., Katy.  Free.  Nottingham Country Garden Club Program. nottinghamgardenclub.org
 
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
 
SAT., JAN. 9: GROWING AVOCADO & PAPAYA BY JERRY HURLBERT, 9-11:30am; GROWING PEACHES IN GALVESTON COUNTY by Herman Auer, 1-2pm, AgriLife Extension in Carbide Park, 4102 Main, La Marque. Free. 281-534-3413; reservations: [email protected]. aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston

SAT., JAN. 9: PREVIEW OF JAN. 16 URBAN HARVEST 2016 FRUIT TREE SALE, 9:30am-noon, United Way Community Resource Center; 50 Waugh Drive. 713-880-5540,
urbanharvest.org/fruit-tree-sale
 
TUES., JAN. 12: FOREST ECOLOGY / TREE CARE BY JOHN ROSS. 9 am. South County Community Center, 2235 Lake Robbins Dr., The
Woodlands. Free. Woodlands Garden Club event. www.thewoodlandsgardenclub.org
 
TUE., JAN. 12: FOREST MANAGEMENT IN THE WOODLANDS AREA BY JOHN ROSS, 7 pm. South Regional Library, 2101 Lake Robbins Drive, The Woodlands. Free. A Woodlands G.R.E.E.N. event. http://www.thewoodlandsgreen.org/ 

SAT., JAN. 12: PREVIEW OF JAN. 16 URBAN HARVEST 2016 FRUIT TREE SALE, 6:30-9pm, , United Way Community Resource Center; 50 Waugh Drive.  713-880-5540, urbanharvest.org/fruit-tree-sale

WED., JAN. 13: TOP BAR BEEHIVES BY DEAN COOK. Noon-2pm,
Mercer Botanic Garden, 2206 Aldine-Westfield, Humble. Free. 713-274-4160.
 
THUR., JAN. 14: FORT BEND COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS PREVIEW OF THE JAN. 16 FRUIT & CITRUS TREE SALE, 6:30-8:30pm, Fort Bend County Fairgrounds, Building B, 4310 Highway 36 South, Rosenberg. Free. 281-341-7068; www.fbmg.org
 
THURS., JAN. 14: BED BUILDING FROM THE GROUND UP, 7:30PM, CHERRIE FLORES GARDEN PAVILION,
1500 Hermann Drive, Houston 77004. Free. Houston Rose Society event. houstonrose.org  

THURS., JAN. 14: HOW TO GROW OLIVES AND PRODUCE OLIVE OIL BY RANDY & MONICA BRAZIL, 10-11:30 am, Clear Lake Meeting Room, 5001 Nasa Parkway. Free. Harris County Master Gardeners at Precinct 2 event.  hcmga.tamu.edu  SAT.,

JAN. 16: FORT BEND COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS ANNUAL FRUIT & CITRUS TREE SALE, 9am-1pm or sold out, Fort Bend County Fairground Barn-H, 4310 Highway 36S, Rosenberg. 281-341-7068;
www.fbmg.org 
 
SAT., JAN. 16: COUSHATTA CAMELLIA SOCIETY SHOW, 1-4pm, First Christian Church Fellowship Building, 3500 N. Loop 336 W, Conroe. Don Marcotte, 936-661-1101. [email protected]

SAT., JAN. 16: FRUIT TREES - SELECTION, PLANTING, PRUNING, SPRAYING & CARE, 9-11am, Montgomery County Extension Office, Tom LeRoy Education Center, 9020 Airport Road, Conroe. Master Gardener event. $5. 936-539-7824, mcmga.com

SAT., JAN. 16: WEDGE GRAFTING BY SUE JEFFCO, 9-11am; KITCHEN GARDENING BY MARY DEMENY, 1-3pm, AgriLife Extension in Carbide Park, 4102 Main, La Marque. Free. 281-534-3413. Reservations: [email protected]. aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston

SAT., JAN. 16 - URBAN HARVEST 2016 FRUIT TREE SALE -- 9am-1pm (or sell-out), Rice University Stadium; 5600 Greenbriar Dr.  713-880-5540,
urbanharvest.org/fruit-tree-sale
 
MON., JAN. 18: OPEN GARDEN DAY AND PLANT SALE WITH HARRIS COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS AT PRECINCT 2, 8:30-11am, Genoa Friendship Garden,1202 Genoa Red Bluff Rd. Free.  hcmga.tamu.edu

TUES., JAN. 19: GARDENING BY THE SQUARE FOOT BY JOHN JONS, 6:30-8 p.m., at Galveston County AgriLife Extension in Carbide Park, 4102 Main, La Marque. Free. 281-534-3413. Reservations: [email protected]. aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston

THURS., JAN. 21: WALLER COUNTY MASTER GARDENER 2016 INTERN TRAINING PROGRAM BEGINS. Registration ($160; Jan. 11 deadline).  www.txmg.org/wallermg.

THURS., JAN. 21  BRAZORIA COUNTY MASTER GARDENER 2016 INTERN TRAINING PROGRAM BEGINS. $120. Deadline:  Jan. 20.  979-864-1558 Ext. 110; txmg.org/brazoria/

SAT., JAN. 23: MONTGOMERY COUNTY MASTER GARDENER FRUIT AND NUT TREE SALE, 8am program, 9am-noon sale, Montgomery Co. Extension Office, 9020 Airport Road, Conroe. 936-539-7824, mcmga.com

SAT., JAN., 23: SUCCESSFUL SPRING VEGETABLE GARDENING BY LUKE STRIPLING, 9-11:30am, & GROWING BLUEBERRIES BY DR. DAVID COHEN, 1-2:30pm, AgriLife Extension, Carbide Park, 4102 Main, La Marque. Free. Galveston County Master Gardener event. Reservations: [email protected]. 281-534-3413; aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/Galveston

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 
 
THURS., JAN. 28: FIG TREE PRUNING & PROPAGATION BY TERRY CUCLIS, 9-10am, Research & Demonstration Garden, Carbide Park, 4102 Main, La Marque. Free. Galveston County Master Gardener event. Reservations: [email protected]. 281-534-3413; aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/Galveston (Rain date: Feb. 4)

SAT., JAN. 30: WALLER COUNTY MASTER GARDENER ANNUAL FRUIT & NUTTREE SALE (and presale pickup), 10am-2pm, 850 Bus 290 N. Hempstead. txmg.org/wallermg
SAT,  JAN.  30 HARRIS COUNTY MASTER GARDENER ANNUAL FRUIT & NUT TREE SALE & LECTURES, 9am-1pm (or sell-out), Bear Creek Park; 3033 Bear Creek Dr. 281-855-5600; hcmga.tamu.edu/Public/pubSales.aspx

THURS., FEB. 4: CONSERVATION & ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES BY KATHY LORD, 9:30am, Municipal Utility Building #81, 805 Hidden Canyon Drive, Katy.  Free.  Nottingham Country Garden Club event. nottinghamgardenclub.org

SAT., FEB. 6: COUSHATTA CAMELLIA SOCIETY SHOW, 1-4pm, Katy and E. Don Walker, Sr. Education Center, 1400 19th St., Huntsville. Don Marcotte, 936-661-1101. [email protected]

TUE., FEB 9: SHADE GARDENING BY GUDRUM OPPERMAN. 9 am. South County Community Center, 2235 Lake Robbins Dr., The Woodlands. Free. Woodlands Garden Club event. www.thewoodlandsgardenclub.org


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 AntoineDrive. Free. Houston Federation of Garden Clubs. houstonfederationgardenclubs.org
 
SAT,  FEB. 13: HARRIS COUNTY MASTER GARDENER, PRECINCT 2, ANNUAL FRUIT TREE & TOMATO SALE, Pre-Sale Talk: 8am; Sale: 9am-1pm (or sell-out).  Pasadena Convention Center; 7902 Fairmont Parkway, Pasadena, TX 77507 281-855-5600; hcmga.tamu.edu/Public/pubSales.aspx

TUES., FEB. 16: PLANTING AND CARE OF FRUIT TREES BY BOB DAILEY, 5:30-7:30 pm, Montgomery South Library, 2101 Lake Robbins Dr., The Woodlands. Free. Montgomery County Master Gardeners event. www.gardeninginthewoodlands.com

SAT., FEB. 20
: FORT BEND COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS PREVIEW FOR THE VEGETABLE- HERB PLANT SALE, 9-11am, Bud O'Shieles Community Center, 1330 Band Rd., Rosenberg. Free. 281 341-7068,
www.fbmg.org 
 
SAT. FEB. 27: FORT BEND COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS ANNUAL VEGETABLE-HERB PLANT SALE, 9am-noon, Fort Bend County Extension Office, 1402 Band Rd., Rosenberg. 281 341-7068, www.fbmg.org 
 
TUES., MAR. 8: EASTER FLORAL DESIGN CONCEPTS BY TONY HUFFMAN. 9 am. South County Community Center, 2235 Lake Robbins Dr., The Woodlands. Free. Woodlands Garden Club event. www.thewoodlandsgardenclub.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.
 
SAT., MAR. 12: MONTGOMERY COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS SPRING PLANT SALE, 9am-12pm, Presentation from 8-9, Montgomery County Extension Office, 9020 Airport Rd., Conroe. 936-539-7822; www.mcmga.com

FRI.-SA
T., MAR. 18-19: MARCH MART, 8am-4pm, Mercer Botanic Garden, 2206 Aldine-Westfield, Humble. Free. 713-274-4160.

TUE., APR. 12: PLANT PROPAGATION TECHNIQUES. 9 am. South County Community Center, 2235 Lake Robbins Dr., The Woodlands. Free. Woodlands Garden Club event. www.thewoodlandsgardenclub.org 

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
 
SAT., MAY. 14: MONTGOMERY COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS SPRING OPEN GARDEN DAY, 9am-11pm, Montgomery County Extension Office, 9020 Airport Rd., Conroe. 936-539-7822; www.mcmga.com
  
If we inspire you to attend any of these events, please let them knowyou 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 [email protected]
Not using our format will result in a delay in publication.   
Events will not be picked up from newsletters.
 
 
 
 
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 12/31/15.
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COUPON: Nature's Way Resources. 30% off all trees & shrubs including fruit trees, shade trees, antique roses and much more. 
 (Offer good for retail purchases of this product by the cubic yard at Nature's Way Resources (101 Sherbrook Circle, Conroe TX). Expires 12/31/15.
I