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Dear Friends,
Here is the 143rd 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: 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!
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REAPING THE EVERCHANGING JOY
(& BENEFITS) OF GARDENS . . . AND SHADE
No orchard's the worse for the wintriest storm;
But one thing about it, it mustn't get warm.
"How often already you've had to be told,
Keep cold, young orchard. Good-bye and keep cold.
Dread fifty above more than fifty below."
"Good-bye, and Keep Cold" -- by Robert Frost
BY BRENDA BEUST SMITH
Today I'm going to truly be a "lazy gardener." I'm turning the column over to two definitely-not-lazy gardeners who have not only great advice, but years of experience and the wonderful ability to inspire and teach at the same time.
We have a unique opportunity this year (probably!) to start on new gardening paths in this area -- quite different from the Massachusetts winters of Robert Frost's youth.
I don't know about your yard, but in mine -- in spite of our hard (albeit quick) cold spells -- summer bloomers like antique roses, firespike, plumbago and shrimps are still sporting color along with the usual winter's delights like narcissus and oxalis, and the normally-spring bursts of black-eyed susans, Carolina jessamine, daffodils and mock orange.
Considering it's almost February, normally our coldest period, this is truly amazing! But I suspect this is the way it's going to be from now on -- overall warmer winters with brief bone-chilling spells, earlier springs, hotter summers and more prolonged drought interspersed with more rapid monsoon rains.
So what do warmer winters mean? We are going to have to look to our experts even more than before for fruit trees with even shorter chill requirements. And, although droughts have killed a lot of our landscape trees, our recent heavy rains are probably going to make tree canopies bigger and thicker than ever year.
That probably means we're going to be faced with more shade in our gardens than most of us have had in recent years.
Fret not! One of this area's best gardener communicators, Gudrun Opperman, has made shade gardening one of her specialties and below lists some of her favorite plants. A retired microbiologist, Gudrun is a Master Gardener, a popular area lecturer and co-founder of the Lake Houston Gardeners Club. For her complete program, drop by . . .
TUES., FEB 9: SHADE GARDENING by GUDRUN OPPERMAN. 9 am. South County Community Center, 2235 Lake Robbins Dr., The Woodlands. Free. Woodlands Garden Club event.
But, before we get to Gudrun and gorgeous pictures from her own yard, here's an early Valentine's Day gift to you.
Take a deep relaxing breath and let Dr. Joe Novak give us all a "feel-good" moment, as he reminds us of benefits with which we may not be fully crediting our gardens. Dr. Novak will present a free full view of holistic gardening Wednesday, Feb. 3, 7pm, at White Oak Conference Center, 7603 Antoine. Details: info101@nnmd.org
Through his consulting firm, GardenPro, Dr. Novak designs and oversees implementation of holistic gardens. Now retired from Texas A&M, he teaches at Rice U and UTSPH, consults on garden programs for the Houston YMCAs and Plant It Forward Farms, mentors community gardens and is working to develop the Houston Center for Community Horticulture, a place to help others learn the social applications of horticulture.
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PLEASE - IF YOU ARE SUBMITTING SOMETHING TO ME (lazygardener@sbcglobal.net) FOR THE CALENDAR
AND/OR ASKING A GARDENING QUESTION AND YOU DON'T GET A RESPONSE FROM ME TO YOUR EMAIL, ASSUME
I DID NOT RECEIVE IT AND SEND IT AGAIN! EXCEPTION: BLATANT ADVERTISEMENTS WILL BE EARMARKED SPAM!
McWilliams YMCA's Grainger Garden is designed to attract, teach and delight children
and to provide easy gardening for those with disabilities. From Dr. Novak's photo files
THE HOLISTIC GARDEN
by DR. JOE NOVAK
Garden is defined as a place where we grow vegetables, fruits, herbs and ornamental plants. But it is much more than that. As we grow our gardens, the process of gardening provides an aerobic workout. This results in prevention from or reduction of certain physical conditions, such as osteoporosis, heart attack, and colon cancer. A regular physical workout improves our long term health in many ways. Gardening is one of the two most common forms of physical activity for older adults.
Consuming fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs helps prevent or reduce the severity of many chronic conditions, such as cancers, diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, high cholesterol, heart attack, depression, and viral infections.
The garden is a great place to interact with children. Gardens are nearby nature and contact with nature helps maintain the plasticity of the brain and enables it to develop in multidimensional ways. The garden is a special place to interact with children with autism, ADHD and other developmental disabilities. Garden programs can help change the life path of youth at risk.
 M. D. Anderson Cancer Center's Healthy Living Garden provides a nature-oriented site for much
needed peace and contemplation and serves as a living library of vegetables that can help prevent
cancer growing in gardens easily accessible to those with disabilities. From Dr. Novak's photo files
Gardens are restorative environments. They stimulate our parasympathetic nervous system and calm our sympathetic nervous system. This helps to free our minds for deep thought, enabling us to solve problems in our personal lives. It is a great tool to help unlock our creativity. Nature is fascinating and gardens are nearby nature.
Gardens are healing environments and can be found in many health care facilities. Gardens should be accessible to people who have disabilities so that they can get both active and passive enjoyment from them.
Garden projects can be catalysts to rebuild troubled neighborhoods. The residents work together outdoors in a non-threatening environment and get to know on anaother. As a result they begin to take pride in their neighborhood and feel empowered to bring about changes. Crime decreases and property values increase.
Holism is the concept in which the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. The garden is a holistic environment in which many good things can happen. It can help improve our quality of life in many different, often unexpected, ways.
* * * Contact Dr. Joe Novak at novakgardener@gmail.com or drop by:
WED., FEB. 3: SOCIOHORTICULTURE: THE HOLISTIC GARDEN by DR. JOE NOVAK, 7pm, White Oak Conference Center, 7603 Antoine Dr. Free. info101@nnmd.org Shade delights from Gudrun's garden, l to r, Velvet Groundsel (Roldana petasites); Carex oshimensis 'Gold Strike'
(with blooms, insert); Aspidistra 'Stars and Stripes' (2 views) and Alpinia japonica blooms.
GUDRUN LOVES GARDENING IN SHADE!
by GUDRUN OPPERMAN
Shade gardening in Houston is much preferable to gardening in the sun! I have developed quite a shade tolerant collection under mature native trees . . . lots of color, interesting leaf shapes and forms as the canopy has matured. I dare anyone to say my shady garden is boring! Most shade trees sap moisture from other plants. Mixing tough foliage plants with containers of less hardy shade plants solves some of these problems. Moisture-loving plants can be grown with the gardener's willingness to water. I love the challenge of trying new plants, but as I get older the criteria are changing to plants being hardier and more drought-tolerant. That list includes: * Roldana petasites (velvet groundsel) -- a beautiful shrubby plant, evergreen, fairly drought tolerant, a late winter to early spring bloomer with fragrant large branched heads of hundreds of bright yellow daisy-like flowers very attractive to pollinators. * Dichroa febrifuga -- Gorgeous blue hydrangea-like flowers. Evergreen. * Salvia roemeriana -- wonderful red-flowering low-growing perennial native salvia that competes quite well with the shade (and roots) of live oaks. Seeds out moderately, but is very sedate. * Helleborus orientalis -- hellebore or Lenten rose. Does quite well in dappled, dry shade under large crape myrtles. Number of good-performing hybrids available locally. Evergreen, ornamental leaves, winter blooms.
More shade lovers from Gudrun:, l to r, varigated leopard plant (Farfuglum japonica variegata),
Dichroa febrifuga, Salvia roemeriana and Lenten rose (Helleborus orientalis)
* Farfugium japonicum -- Nothing beats this genus for drama in light to dappled shade. My personal favorites are Kaimon Dake and Argentea. Both have dramatic white variegated leaves. Kaimon Dake has been compared to looking like a snow leopard, while the Argentea is much more dramatic with its irregular large patches of white. * Carex oshimensis 'Gold Strike' or 'Everest' -- a grassy, variegated plant, Gold Strike looks like an unruly wig of blond hair. Great in containers. * 'Bounce' hybrid Impatiens series -- stunning showstopper 20" x 20" mounds, constant blooms from early spring to frost, great disease resistance. Other new shade-lovers: a peach-flowering Odontonema; smaller 'Stars and Stripes' and 'Jade Ribbon' Aspidistra (don't groan!) and Alpinia japonica, a low-growing, evergreen mounding ginger that blooms reliably in early spring with little candy cane-like flowers in deep shade. Try some of these in your shady patch to add interest to your landscape. And, please, no more limiting yourself to doughnut rings of fibrous begonias around your trees! * * *
Email Gudrun at hoppergo@aol.com or drop by:
TUES., FEB 9: SHADE GARDENING by GUDRUN OPPERMAN. 9 am. South County Community Center, 2235 Lake Robbins Dr., The Woodlands. Free. Woodlands Garden Club event. www.thewoodlandsgardenclub.org
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JOHN'S CORNER
Tip Of The Week
I was walking around our facility the other day and noticed that there were many plastic water bottles in the leaves that were dropped off for composting. First - plastic bottles are not compostable!
Bottled water is often just plain ole tap water. Brands like Pepsi's "Aquafina", Nestle's "Pure Life", Coca Cola's "Fasani" are just city tap water but into a toxic plastic bottle and the prices marked up over 2,000 times!
Other brands like "Fiji" have been found to contain traces of arsenic a known carcinogen. German researchers have found endocrine disrupting chemicals that affect the development and reproduction in 18 popular brands of bottled water. Of the 24,520 suspect chemicals found in bottled water di(2-ethylhexyl) fumarate showed consistent anti-androgenic and anti-estrogenic activity. These chemicals interfere with the hormone system of our bodies. They also cause cancerous tumors, birth defects, cardiovascular disorders, metabolic disorders, etc.
Note: This also applies to soft drinks in plastic bottles.
A few years ago, I was at an environmental seminar and Mountain Valley spring water in glass bottles was provided. For the first couple of hours that was all that was available. Then they had us drink the same spring water from plastic bottles. One could then taste all the chemicals from the plastic. All the water was in ice chest in an ice-water bath so they were served at exactly the same temperature.
I purchased the Mountain Valley spring water from Whole Foods and I just refill the bottles as needed from my filtered water supply at my house. It is much cheaper and better for your health.
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WEEKLY GARDENING EVENTS &
ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALENDAR
TO SUBMIT AN EVENT FOR THIS CALENDAR, PLEASE NOTE.
Events NOT submitted in the EXACT written format below may take a full week or longer
to be reformatted/retyped. After that point, if your event does not appear, please email us.
Submit to: lazygardener@sbcglobal.net
If we inspire you to attend any of these events, please let them know you heard about it in
THE LAZY GARDENER & FRIENDS HOUSTON GARDEN NEWSLETTER
SAT., JAN. 30: WALLER COUNTY MASTER GARDENER ANNUAL FRUIT & NUTTREE SALE (and presale pickup), 10am-2pm, 850 Bus 290 N. Hempstead. txmg.org/wallermgSAT, 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
SAT., JAN. 30: MAKE YOUR VEGETABLE GARDEN GROW - REALLY by DR. JOE NOVAK, 9am, White Oak Conference Center, 7603 Antoine Dr. $35. Reservations: nnmd.org
MON., FEB. 1: ALTERNATIVE GARDEN TECHNIQUES - REINVENTING THE PAST by MARY KARISH, 10am, Amegy Bank Building, Community Room, 28201 SH 249, Tomball. Tomball Garden Club event. Guests welcome. tomballgardenclub@gmail.com
SAT., JAN 30: GROWING BERRIES WITH URBAN HARVEST, 10am, Buchanan's Native Plants, 611 E 11th. Free. 713-861-5702; buchanansplants.com
TUES. FEBRUARY 2: GO ORGANIC SEMINAR for PROFESSIONALS, Bayou Bend Gardens Visitor Center, 6003 Memorial Drive, Houston, Texas 77007, 9 AM - 2 PM, Mike Serant and John Ferguson $10.00 per person and lunch provided. https://www.eventbrite.com
TUES., FEB. 2: KEYHOLE & PALLET GARDENING, 11am, Thomas A. Glazier Senior Education Center, 16600 Pine Forest Lane. Free. pct3.com/senior-centers/glazier-senior-center/
TUES., FEB. 2: PROPAGATION OF PLANTS BY STEM CUTTINGS by Bill Cummins, 6:30pm, Galveston County AgriLife Extension, Carbide Park, 4102 Main, La Marque. Free but reservation required: galv3@wt.net; aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston
WED., FEB. 3: SOCIOHORTICULTURE: THE HOLISTIC GARDEN by DR. JOE NOVAK, 7pm, White Oak Conference Center, 7603 Antoine Dr. Free. info101@nnmd.org
THURS., FEB. 4: GARDENING FOR BUTTERFLIES by SONI HOLLADAY, 9:30am, Marie Workman Garden Center, 112 West Spreading Oaks, Friendswood. Heritage Gardeners event. 281-992-4438
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. funny-farm2@sbcglobal.net
SAT., FEB 6: TOMATO TIME by THE GUNTHERS, 9am, Buchanan's Native Plants, 611 E 11th. Free. 713-861-5702; buchanansplants.com
TUES., FEB. 6: GROWING CITRUS IN YOUR BACK YARD by CHRIS ANASTAS, 9-11am, & CITRUS GREENING by ROBERT MARSHALL, 11am, & GROWING GREAT TOMATOES PART 2 by IRA GERVAIS, 1pm, Galveston County AgriLife Extension, Carbide Park, 4102 Main, La Marque. Free but reservation required for each: galv3@wt.net; aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston
SAT., FEB. 6: COMPOSTING FOR THE HOME GARDEN by DR. JOE NOVAK, 9am, White Oak Conference Center, 7603 Antoine Dr. $35. Registration: nnmd.org
SAT., FEB. 6: FRUIT TREE TRAINING & PRUNING, 10am, University of St. Thomas Mallory Hall, 3918 Yoakum Blvd. $120 / 3 classes. Urban Harvest event. 713-880-5540; urbanharvest.org
SAT., FEB. 6: DESIGNING GREEN HOMES & COMMUNITIES THROUGH PERMACULTURE, 9:30am, University of Houston Science & Engineering Building, Room 206, 3601 Cullen Blvd. $383 / 7 classes. Urban Harvest event. 713-880-5540;
urbanharvest.org
MON., Feb 8: MARCH MART PREVIEW by SUZZANNE CHAPMAN. 7 pm. Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, 2929 Woodland Hills Dr., Kingwood. Free. Lake Houston Gardener event. 281-360-8092.
TUES., FEB 9: SHADE GARDENING by GUDRUn OPPERMAN. 9 am. South County Community Center, 2235 Lake Robbins Dr., The Woodlands. Free. Woodlands Garden Club event. thewoodlandsgardenclub.org
TUES., FEB. 9: PRUNING PLANTS FOR SPRING by SKIP RICHTER, 9:30am, Jersey Village Civic Center, 16327 Lakeview. Free Jersey Village Garden Club event.
TUES., FEB. 9: GROWING FRUIT TREES IN SMALL SPACES, 6pm Houston Museum of Natural Science, Moran Hall, 5555 Hermann Park Dr. $45. Urban Harvest event. 713-880-5540; urbanharvest.org
WED., FEB. 10: GROWING TOMATOES by JEAN FEFER, 1pm, 16600 Pine Forest Lane. Free. pct3.com/senior-centers
THURS., FEB. 11: ROSE PRUNING DONE RIGHT, 7:30pm, Cheri Flores Garden Pavillion, 1500 Hermann Dr.. Free. Houston Rose Society event. houstonrose.org
THURS., FEB. 11: SHELDON PARK WETLAND RESTORATION by ANDREW SIPOCZ, 10am, Clear Lake Meeting Room, 5001 Nasa Parkway. Free. Harris County Master Gardener event. hcmga.tamu.edu
THURS, FEB 11: SPRING VEGETABLE GARDENING by HARRIS COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS. 6:30pm. Barbara Bush Library, 6817 Cypresswood Dr., Spring. Free. hcmga.tamu.edu
THURS., FEB. 11: PERENNIALS FOR OUR COMMUNITY by ELIZABETH BARROW, 9:30am, Missouri City Recreation and Tennis Center, 2701 Cypress Point Dr., Missouri City. Free. QuailValleyGardenClub.org
FRI., FEB. 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
SAT, FEB. 13: BRAZORIA COUNTY MASTER GARDENER ANNUAL FRUIT TREE SALE, 8am-noon, Brazoria County Fairgrounds, 901 South Downing Road, Angleton. txmg.org/brazoria/
SAT., FEB. 13: SOIL MANAGEMENT FOR THE HOME GARDEN by DR. JOE NOVAK, 9-11am, White Oak Conference Center, 7603 Antoine Dr. $35. Registration: nnmd.org
SAT., FEB. 13: STARTING A COMMUNITY OR SCHOOL GARDEN WORKSHOP, 8:30am, University of St. Thomas Hughes House, 3921 Yoakum Blvd. $20. Urban Harvest event. 713-880-5540; urbanharvest.org
MON., FEB. 15: HARRIS COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS AT PRECINCT 2 OPEN GARDEN DAY & PLANT SALE WITH, 8:30-11am, Genoa Friendship Garden,1202 Genoa Red Bluff Rd. Free. hcmga.tamu.edu
TUES., FEB. 16: BASIC FRUIT TREE CARE & PLANTING, 6pm, Houston Museum of Natural Science, Moran Hall, 5555 Hermann Park Dr, $45. Urban Harvest event. 713-880-5540; urbanharvest.org
TUES., FEB. 16: NEWEST RESEARCH ON BUTTERFLY GARDENING by NANCY GREIG, 10am, St. Basil Hall, 702 Burney Road, Sugar Land. Free; Sugar Land Garden Club event. Sugarlandgardenclub.org
TueS., Feb. 16, Rose Gardening & pruning demo by BAXTER WILLIAMS, 11am, Thomas A. Glazier Senior Education Center, 16600 Pine Forest Lane. Free. pct3.com/senior-centers/glazier-senior-center/
TUES., FEB 16; SPRING VEGETABLE GARDENING by HARRIS COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS. 6:30pm, Spring Branch Memorial Library, 930 Corbindale. Free. hcmga.tamu.edu; 281-855-5600
WED., FEB. 17: MASTER PLAN FOR THE HOUSTON BOTANIC GARDEN by ADRIAAN GUEZE / 2016 NANCY STALLWORTH THOMAS HORTICULTURE LECTURE, 10am, Bagby Hall, St. Martin's Episcopal Church, 717 Sage Rd. at Woodway. Free. Garden Club of Houston event. gchouston.org
WED., FEB. 17: BASIC FRUIT TREE CARE & PLANTING, 10am, Houston Museum of Natural Science, Moran Hall, 5555 Hermann Park Dr, $45. Urban Harvest event. 713-880-5540;urbanharvest.org
THURS., FEB 18; SPRING VEGETABLE GARDENING by HARRIS COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS. 6:30pm. Freeman Branch Library, 16616 Diana Lane. Free. hcmga.tamu.edu; 281-855-5600
FRi., feb. 19: Peckerwood Garden Docent Training, 20559 FM 359 Road, Hempstead. Garden Conservancy event. peckerwoodgarden.org, 979-826-3232; info@peckerwoodgarden.org
SAT., FEB. 20: FORT BEND COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS PREVIEW FOR THE VEGETABLE- HERB PLANT SALE, 9am, Bud O'Shieles Community Center, 1330 Band Rd., Rosenberg. Free. 281 341-7068, www.fbmg.org
SAT, FEB 20; SPRING VEGETABLE GARDENING by HARRIS COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS. 10 am, Maude Smith Marks Library, 1815 Westgreen Blvd., Katy. Free. hcmga.tamu.edu; 281-855-5600
SAT., FEB. 20: PEST IDENTIFICATION AND MANAGEMENT IN THE HOME GARDEN by DR. JOE NOVAK, 9-11am, White Oak Conference Center, 7603 Antoine Dr. $35. Registration: nnmd.org
SAT., FEB. 20: GALVESTON COUNTY MASTER GARDENER ANNUAL FRUIT, CITRUS TREE & VEGETABLE SALE PREVIEW by JON JOHNS, 8am, & SALE, 9am-1pm, (new site) Galveston County Fairgrounds, Jack Brooks Park - Rodeo Arena, Hwy 6 and Jack Brooks Road, Hitchcock. 281-534-3413; aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston
SAT. FEB. 27: FORT BEND COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS ANNUAL VEGETABLE-HERB PLANT SALE, 9am, Fort Bend County Extension Office, 1402 Band Rd., Rosenberg. 281 341-7068; www.fbmg.org
sat., feb. 27: Peckerwood Garden Docent Training, Hempstead. Garden Conservancy event. 20559 FM 359 Road, Hempstead, www.peckerwoodgarden.org/ , 979-826-3232; info@peckerwoodgarden.org
SAT., FEB. 27; GROWING VEGETABLES IN CONTAINERS by DR. JOE NOVAK, 9-11am, White Oak Conference Center, 7603 Antoine Dr. $35. Registration www.nnmd.org TUES., MAR. 1: PLANTING AND PRUNING FRUIT TREES by SKIP RICHTER, 11am & ORGANIC GARDENING PRINCIPLES WITH THE POPULAR GUNTHER SISTERS, 1pm, Glazier Senior Education Center, 16600 Pine Forest Lane. Free. pct3.com/senior-centers/glazier-senior-center; 713-274-3250
THURS., MAR. 3: BULBS FOR NATURALIZING ON THE GULF COAST by LINDA GAY, 9:30am, Municipal Utility Building #81, 805 Hidden Canyon Drive, Katy. Free. Nottingham Country Garden Club event. nottinghamgardenclub.org
SAT., MAR. 5: SPRING GARDENING SEMINAR by PAUL EYRE, HERMAN AUER, TREY BETHKE, PAM ROMIG, 10am-4pm, Waller County Road & Bridge Bldg., 775 Business 290 East, Hempstead. $25 pre-register by Mar. 3. Waller County Master Gardener event. txmg.org/wallermg; 979-826-7651; wallermgardener2013@gmail.com SAT., MAR. 5: WALLER COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS SPRING VEGETABLE CONFERENCE, 10am-4pm, Road and Bridge Road & Bridge Building, 775 Business 290E. Hempstead. $25. 979-826-7651; wallermgardener2013@gmail.com
SAT.,-SUN., MAR. 5-6: SPRING BRANCH AFRICAN VIOLET CLUB 36th ANNUAL SHOW & SPRING SALE, Sat.: sale 9am-5pm & show 1-5pm; Sun: show & sale 10am-3pm, Judson Robinson Jr. Community Center, 2020 Hermann Park Dr.. Free. 281-748-8417, kjwross@yahoo.com.
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. thewoodlandsgardenclub.org
TUES., MAR. 8: GROWING PLUMERIAS, 7:30pm, Cherie Flores Garden Pavillion, Hermann Park Conservancy, 1500 Hermann Dr. Free. Plumeria Society of America event. theplumeriasociety.org
TUES., MAR. 8: SNAKE SAFETY IN THE GARDEN by CLINT PUSTEJOVSKY,11am & HUMMINGBIRDS, MYTH, MAGIC AND MYSTERY! by MARK KLYM, 1pm, Glazier Senior Center, 16600 Pine Forest Lane. Free. pct3.com/senior-centers/glazier-senior-center; 713-274-3250
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.
WED., MAR. 9: HIBISCUS GARDENING by MARTI GRAVES, 1pm, Glazier Senior Center, 16600 Pine Forest Lane. Free. http://www.pct3.com/senior-centers/glazier-senior-center; 713-274-3250
THURS, MAR. 10: RAISED BEDS & LOW VOLUME IRRIGATION by HARRIS COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS, 6:30-8:30 pm. Barbara Bush Library, 6817 Cypresswood Dr., Spring. Free. hcmga.tamu.edu; 281-855-5600
THURS., MAR. 10: GROWING OLIVE TREES AND PRODUCING OIL WITH RANDY BRAZIL.10:30am, Glazier Senior Center, 16600 Pine Forest Lane. Free. http://www.pct3.com/senior-centers/glazier-senior-center; 713-274-3250
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
FRI.-SUN., MAR. 11-13: LEADING WITH LANDSCAPE II: HOUSTON TRANSFORMATION CONFERENCE. Cultural Landscape Foundation event. Mar. 11 - Conference (Early registration rates). Mar. 12-13 - free, expert-led tours of historic parks & projects. tclf.org
WED. MAR. 12: MARCH MART VOLUNTEER TRAINING, 9:30am, and MARCH MART PREVIEW OF SALE PLANTS, noon, Mercer Botanic Garden, 2206 Aldine-Westfield, Humble. Free. 713-274-4160.
SAT., maRCH 12: Peckerwood Garden Open Day, 10am-3pm tours, 20559 FM 359 Road, Hempstead. $10. Garden Conservancy event. peckerwoodgarden.org, 979-826-3232; info@peckerwoodgarden.org
MON., MAR. 14: SUCCULENT GARDENING by WALLY WARD, 1pm, Glazier Senior Center, 16600 Pine Forest Lane. Free. pct3.com/senior-centers/glazier-senior-center; 713-274-3250
TUES., MAR. 15: CREATING FLORAL ARRANGEMENTS FROM YOUR GARDEN by AMY NEUGEBAUER, 10am, St. Basil Hall, 702 Burney Road, Sugar Land. Free; Sugar Land Garden Club event. Sugarlandgardenclub.org
TUES., MAR. 15; RAISED BEDS & LOW VOLUME IRRIGATION by HARRIS COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS. 6:30pm, Spring Branch Memorial Library, 930 Corbindale. Free. hcmga.tamu.edu; 281-855-5600 TUES., MAR.15: CITRUS GARDENING by MARY KARISH 1pm, Glazier Senior Center, 16600 Pine Forest Lane. Free. pct3.com/senior-centers/glazier-senior-center; 713-274-3250
THURS., MAR. 17; RAISED BEDS & LOW VOLUME IRRIGATION by HARRIS COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS. 6:30pm. Freeman Branch Library, 16616 Diana Lane.Free. hcmga.tamu.edu; 281-855-5600
Fri. Mar.18: PLANT SEED & EXCHANGE ON GLAZIER'S PATIO, Glazier Senior Center, 16600 Pine Forest Lane. Free. pct3.com/senior-centers/glazier-senior-center; 713-274-3250
FRI.-SAT., MAR. 18-19: MARCH MART, Fri: noon-4pm. Sat.: 8am-4pm, Mercer Botanic Garden, 2206 Aldine-Westfield, Humble. Free. 713-274-4160. VIP shopping: hcp4.net/community/parks/mercer
SAT., MAR. 19: RAISED BEDS & LOW VOLUME IRRIGATION by HARRIS COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS, 10am, Maude Smith Marks Library, 1815 Westgreen Blvd., Katy. Free. hcmga.tamu.edu; 281-855-5600
TUES., MAR. 22: HARRIS COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS OPEN GARDEN DAY & RAISED BEDS & LOW VOLUME IRRIGATION SEMINAR, 9am, 3033 Bear Creek Drive. Free. hcmga.tamu.edu; 281-855-5600
Wed. Mar. 23; SPRING CONTAINER GARDENING WITH SKIP RICHTER HARRIS COUNTY EXTENSION AGENT;16600 Pine Forest Lane. Free. pct3.com/senior-centers/glazier-senior-center; 713-274-3250
Thur. March 24: BEEKEEPING FOR THE AMATEUR WORKSHOP by CAMERON CRANE, 1pm, Glazier Senior Center, 16600 Pine Forest Lane. Free.pct3.com/senior-centers/glazier-senior-center; 713-274-3250
SAT., APRIL 2: WHITE OAK GARDEN SPRING PLANT SALE, 9am program by HEIDI SHEESLEY, 10am-2pm (or sell-out) sale. White Oak Conference Center, 7603 Antoine Dr. nnmd.org
MON., APRIL 4: GROWING HIBISCUS by MARTI GRAVES, 10am, Amegy Bank Building, Community Room, 28201 SH 249, Tomball. Free. Tomball Garden Club event. tomballgardenclub@gmail.com
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
SAT., APRIL 9: HMNS COCKRELL BUTTERFLY CENTER SPRING PLANT SALE, 8am-noon (or sell-out), garage 7th level, Houston Museum of Natural Science, 5555 Hermann Park Dr. 713-639-4629, hmns.org
TUE., APR. 12: PLANT PROPAGATION TECHNIQUES (WORKSHOP by MONTGOMERY COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS, 9am. Extension Office, 9020 FM 1484 Rd. (Airport Rd.), Conroe. Free. Woodlands Garden Club event. thewoodlandsgardenclub.org
FRI.- SUN., APRIL 15, 16, 17: KINGWOOD GARDEN CLUB HOME & GARDEN TOUR 10am-4pm Fri. & Sat.; noon-4pm Sun. kingwoodgardenclub.org
SUN., APRIL 17: 2016 HIBISCUS SHOW & PLANT SALE, 1-4pm, Bellaire Community Center, 7008 S. Rice Blvd, Bellaire. Free. Lone Star Chapter/American Hibiscus Society event. Free.lonestarahs.org TUES., APR. 19: MILLENNIAL GARDENING by DEE NASH, 10am, St. Basil Hall, 702 Burney Road, Sugar Land. Free; Sugar Land Garden Club event. Sugarlandgardenclub.org
SUN., MAY 7: 2016 HIBISCUS SHOW & PLANT SALE, 1-4pm, Knights of Columbus Hall, 702 Burney Rd., Sugar Land. Free. Lone Star chapter/American Hibiscus Society event. Free. lonestarahs.org TUES., MAY 10: GROWING PLUMERIAS, 7:30pm, Cherie Flores Garden Pavillion, Hermann Park Conservancy, 1500 Hermann Dr. Free. Plumeria Society of America event. theplumeriasociety.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 event. houstonfederationgardenclubs.org
SAT., JUNE 11: PLUMERIA SOCIETY OF AMERICA SHOW & SALE, 9:30am-3pm, Bay Area Community Center 5002 Nasa Road One Seabrook. Free. theplumeriasociety.org
TUES., JULY 12: GROWING PLUMERIAS, 7:30pm, Cherie Flores Garden Pavillion, Hermann Park Conservancy, 1500 Hermann Dr. Free. Plumeria Society of America event . theplumeriasociety.org
SAT., JULY 23: PLUMERIA SOCIETY OF AMERICA SHOW & SALE, 9:30am-3pm, Fort Bend Country Fairgrounds 4310 Texas Highway 36, Rosenberg . theplumeriasociety.org
TUES., OCT. 11: GROWING PLUMERIAS, 7:30pm, Cherie Flores Garden Pavillion, Hermann Park Conservancy, 1500 Hermann Dr. Free. Plumeria Society of America event. theplumeriasociety.org
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 AN EVENT FOR THIS CALENDAR, PLEASE NOTE.
Events NOT submitted in the EXACT written format below may take a full week or longer
to be reformatted/retyped. After that point, if your event does not appear, please email us.
Submit to: lazygardener@sbcglobal.net
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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 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.
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