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Dear Friends,
Here is the 144th 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!
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 GETTING IN THE MOOD FOR VALENTINE'S DAY . . .
FEBRUARY EDIBLE HARVESTS . . . TIME TO PRUNE ROSES!
"Some people grumble that roses have thorns;
I am grateful that thorns have roses."
-- Alphonse Karr, "A Tour Round My Garden"
BY BRENDA BEUST SMITH
Getting ready for Valentine's Day? Will probably include roses, right?
No one seems to know exactly who decided roses should signify love. Probably it was Aphrodite herself in Greece (aka Venus if you're Roman) and obviously no one would dare contradict the Goddess(es) of Love.
In fact, it is said name "rose" originated with Flora, Goddess of Flowers. Hard for her to speak after being shot with an arrow by Cupid. She was trying to say "Eros" but it came sounding like "ros." Not sure of their thinking here, maybe she was lying in a bed of flowers? Anyway, it's a fun story. "Rose" became a nickname for Eros. You do know about Eros? Romans called him Cupid.
All this is possible, I guess. Bet you didn't know this . . . the world's first rose fossil was discovered in Colorado! Fossil evidence overall does confirm roses existed 35 million years ago. Who else would tell you these things?
Here's some more rose minutia to get you into a Valentine's Day mood:
Left: this 33-inch wide pink rose is believed to be the largest rose ever. It was produced in California.
Center: the famed Colorado rose fossil most closely resembles this existing species, R. palustris (the Swamp Rose). Right: this is the most expensive rose ever, Juliet, from rose grower David Austin. Valued at $5 million.
February -- St. Valentine's Day, as a matter of fact -- has another historic rose tradition -- a rather sharp one. On Feb. 14, serious rose growers are out in the garden with their pruning shears. Kinda depressing when you still have lots of blooms which roses usually don't have in February! But, pruning grafted roses is important here if you want them to reach their full potential. ( More on Spring Pruning)
This is one reason the Houston Rose Society (largest rose society in the nation) holds an annual free Pruning Clinic - this year Feb. 11, 7:30pm, at Cheri Flores Garden Pavilion, 1500 Hermann Dr. in Hermann Park. Details: houstonrose.org.
Our Spotlight, below, is by one of Houston best known Rosarians, Baxter Williams, a popular speaker, a former Houston Rose Society president and American Rose Society Director, media rose darling and much, much more. Baxter has been growing roses in Houston since 1967 and, at their Pasadena home, he and Patsy now have over 500 rose bushes, some 25+ years old.
Who better to get us off to the right start with "Top Ten Mistakes Made Pruning Roses"?
* * *  Left to right: Big Bertha bell pepper, calamondins, speckled romaine lettuce BEFORE WE START CLIPPING, HOWEVER . . . let's switch quickly to a edible feast. Speaking of unusual garden delights this February (thanks to our overall warmer winter), Houston Urban Gardener founder Laurel Smith, Ph.D., listed just a few of the ready-to-harvests from her own garden.
Quoting from her list in the current HUG Newsletter: Big Bertha bell peppers, Satsumas, fennel, thyme, mint, parsley, cilantro, arugula, calamondins, Tuscan kale, Mizuna mustards, speckled Romain lettuce, black seeded Simpson lettuce (and other mixed lettuces).
Soon to be harvest-able are carrots, radishes, snow peas, and sugar snap peas. Even more are on the horizon.
If you're surprised by Laurel's list, obviously you need to join www.houstonurbanharvest.org. The monthly e-newsletter is packed with advice and meetings always feature a knowledgeable speaker. For example:
MON., FEB. 8: THE BUSINESS OF URBAN FARMING IN HOUSTON by PAT GREER & H. C. CLARK,
6:30pm, MultiService Center, 1475 W. Gray. Free. Houston Urban Gardeners (HUG) event. houstonurbangardeners.org
Speaking of February harvesting, do check out all the take advantage of all the growing edibles classes, lectures and, best of all, Master Gardener plant sales scheduled this month around the Greater Houston area, such as all these on Saturday, Feb. 6:
GROWING CITRUS IN YOUR BACK YARD by CHRIS ANASTAS, 9am, &
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. See calendar for details.
* If you missed all the Master Gardener edibles sales in January, there's a full slate again in Feb. Check the calendar below for details on these: -- SAT, FEB. 13: HARRIS COUNTY MASTER GARDENER, PRECINCT 2, ANNUAL FRUIT TREE & TOMATO SALE,
--SAT, FEB. 13: BRAZORIA COUNTY MASTER GARDENER ANNUAL FRUIT TREE SALE,
--SAT., FEB. 20: GALVESTON COUNTY MASTER GARDENER ANNUAL FRUIT, CITRUS TREE & VEGETABLE SALE
--TUES., FEB 23: HARRIS COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS SPRING VEGETABLE GARDENING
--SAT. FEB. 27: FORT BEND COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS ANNUAL VEGETABLE-HERB PLANT SALE
And, one more sale, for those of you in the Huntsville area: -- SAT., FEB. 6: WALKER COUNTY PROUD COMMUNITIES TREE SALE, 7:30am-11:30am, Walker County Storm Shelter, 455 State Hwy 75 North, Huntsville
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Looking for really hardy roses? Left, This Lady Banksia in Tombstone, AZ, is said to be the world's largest
living rose. (I've seen it!). Right, the longest living rose is believed to be this 1,000+-year-old wild dog rose
(Rosa canina) growing on a wall in Hildesheim, Germany. Its presence has been documented since 815 A.D.!
GETTING BACK TO YOUR FEB. 14 CELEBRATION . . . if you're not into flowers for Valentine's Day, for just $5, the Museum of Natural Science's Cockrell Butterfly Center will let you name one of its Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches for your loved one. They'll even give you a commemorative certificate. Certainly would be a gift one would remember.
Personally I'd rather read what Baxter has to say about roses.
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PLEASE - IF YOU DO NOT GET A RESPONSE FROM ME TO AN EMAIL, ASSUME I DID NOT RECEIVE IT AND SEND IT AGAIN!
Check LG&F Newsletter Calendar to make sure your events are published. If they aren't let me know. [email protected]
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Brenda's column in the LAZY GARDENER & FRIENDS HOUSTON GARDEN NEWSLETTER
is based on her 45+ years as the Houston Chronicle's Lazy Gardener.
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Ten Mistakes in Pruning Roses
By Baxter Williams
Houston Rose Society
1. Wrong time. Best time for "pruning" (deep cuts into a bush) is the coldest, wettest day of the year. For us that means mid-February = Valentine's Day. After these deep cuts, just "groom" bushes.
2. Wrong tools. NEVER use anvil-type shears. ALWAYS use bypass shears (where blades pass), wear leather gloves and use sun-screen to protect your skin.
3. Wrong stem size. "If it is smaller than a pencil, cut it off." The stem's next growth at that place will be that same diameter. Think what stem size you wish to have. A large bloom needs strong stem support.
4. Shears held wrongly. Blades on bypass shears are two sizes, one very thin and sharp, the other thick curved. Place thick blade against the piece to be cut away. It will bruise the stem piece it touches. You want it to bruise the piece cut off.
5. Wrong place on the stem. Cut about 1/8-inch above where a leaf is (or was) attached. The old advice to "make the cut at 1/4-inch and a 45-degree angle" is mostly untrue. A 1/8-inch cut gives better results. Leaving a longer stem piece will likely cause stem die back to the leaf (or lower). Not good. Don't leave a piece likely to die.
6. Wrong angle of cut. Any angle near 45-degrees is OK. A rakish, smaller angle cut is very bad. A totally horizontal cut is also OK. A sloped cut is supposed prevent rot from water sitting on cut end. But in that case: a. the water would soak in (plants would like that!), or b. it would evaporate away. Water would have to sit for weeks before the stem would rot. Not going to happen.
7. Wrong, or no, post-cut care. In general, no post-cut stem treatment is required. If something does go wrong at the site, trim the stem a down little farther. If you are cutting an old stem at the bud union (big knot with all of the stems emanating from it), seal the cut. DO NOT USE BLACK TREE PRUNING PAINT! It will burn the stem's cambium layer. Use white glue.
8. Fail to protect the bush after pruning. It is INCORRECT to assume a bush is safe from disease. Blackspot fungus, the bane of rose growers, over-winters on stems, whether there are leaves or not. Protect plants immediately after pruning to prevent future defoliation, particularly if neighbors' roses are infected with blackspot.
9. Feed the bush too soon, or too much. Roses are dormant (not growing) in mid-February. As soon as the soil begins to warm up, roses need "to eat." Moderate feeding with a balanced rose food will be in order, with a repeat feeding in about 4 weeks. Too much food overly stresss the plant, causing defoliation.
10. Try to do it alone. While you likely can prune a bush without help, it might be advisable to seek out advice from a Consulting Rosarian. That person is trained to prune and is experienced in techniques. Contact the Houston Rose Society at www.houstonrose.org for help.
Baxter can be reached at [email protected] or talked with in person while demonstrating pruning on
* THURS., FEB. 11: 1:30pm at Fonteno Education Center, 6600 Bissonnet, and at 7:30pm at Cheri Flores Garden Pavillion, 1500 Hermann Dr.. Free. Houston Rose Society event. houstonrose.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/
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JOHN'S CORNER
Here are some events John thought our readers might be interested in.
His column will be back next week.
FRI., FEB 12: ORGANIC FOR THE PROFESSIONAL CONFERENCE, Dallas Arboretum, 8525 Garland Road, Dallas Texas 75218, 8 AM - 4 PM, Mike Serant and John Ferguson, 713-957-0909 or www.microlifefertilzer.com
THUR., FEB. 25: HOUSTON'S WEATHER IN 2016 by JOHN NELSON-GAMMON, 5:30pm, United Way Center, 50 Waugh Dr. ohbaonline.org to register
TUES., MAR. 29: THE DANGERS OF GMO's, Dr. Thierry Vrain, 6:30 - 8 PM, Houston Museum of Natural Science, IMAX Theater, 5555 Herman Park Dr., Houston, Texas, 77030, Tickets $18.00, www.hmns.org or (713) 639-4629
THUR. MARCH 3: OUR TOXIC WORLD AND YOUR HEALTH, 6:30 PM,John Ferguson, Coastal Plains Master Naturalist Meeting, Ft. Bend County Bud-O Shields Community Center, 1330 Band Rd., Rosenburg, Tx., Sharon Smith, [email protected], (281) 633-7033
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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: [email protected]
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., FEB. 6: WALKER COUNTY PROUD COMMUNITIES TREE SALE, 7:30am-11:30am, Walker County Storm Shelter, 455 State Hwy 75 North, Huntsville
TUES., FEB. 9: PRUNING PLANTS FOR SPRING by SKIP RICHTER, 9:30am, Jersey Village Civic Center, 16327 Lakeview. Free Jersey Village Garden Club event.
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]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: [email protected]; 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;
SAT., FEB. 6: VEGETABLES FROM YOUR BACKYARD GARDEN, 10:15am, Cornelius Nursery, 2233 S. Voss. Free.
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.
MON., FEB. 8: THE BUSINESS OF URBAN FARMING IN HOUSTON by PAT GREER & H. C. CLARK, 6:30pm, MultiService Center, 1475 W. Gray. Free. Houston Urban Gardeners (HUG) event. houstonurbangardeners.org
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: 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: SPRING INTO YOUR LAWN - ORGANIC LAWN CARE & SPRINGTIME PREP by BOB DAILEY. noon, Mercer Botanic Garden, 2206 Aldine-Westfield, Humble. Free. 713-274-4160.
WED., FEB. 10: GROWING TOMATOES by JEAN FEFER, 1pm, 16600 Pine Forest Lane. Free. pct3.com/senior-centers
WED., FEB. 10: CACTUS & SUCCULENT SOCIETY OF AMERICA ANNUAL MEETING FIELD TRIP DAY by RICHARD STAMPER, 7:30pm, Cheri Flores Garden Pavilion, Hermann Park. Free. hcsstx.org
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
THURS., FEB. 11: LIFECYCLES OF LOCAL BUTTERFLIES by FARRAR STOCKTON, 7:30 pm, L.G.I. Lecture Hall, McCullough Jr. High School, 3800 S. Panther Creek Dr., The Woodlands, Free. 281-210-3925. Walk in the Woods Nature Lecture
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
FRI., FEB 12: ORGANICS FOR THE PROFESSIONAL CONFERENCE, Dallas Arboretum, 8525 Garland Road, Dallas Texas 75218, 8 AM - 4 PM, Mike Serant and John Ferguson, 713-957-0909 or http://www.microlifefertilzer.com/www.microlifefertilzer.com
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 M ASTER 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
SAT., FEB. 13: HOW, WHEN and WHY TO PRUNE by LINDA CRUM and ALLEN SELMER, 9am-noon, Parks, Recreation and Environmental Services Facility, 8203 Millennium Forest Dr., The Woodlands, Free, Registration Required. 281-210-3925 Gardening 101
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; [email protected]
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 20: TEXAS TOUGH PERENNIALS by DIANE BULANOWSKI, 10am, Buchanan's Native Plants, 611 E 11th. Free. 713-861-5702; buchanansplants.com/events
SUN., FEB. 21: EASY TO GROW FERNS by LINDA GAY, 2:00pm, Judson Robinson Jr. Community Center, 2020 Hermann Dr. Free. Texas Gulf Coast Fern Society event. tgcfernsoc.org
TUES., FEB 23: HARRIS COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS OPEN GARDEN DAY AND
SEMINAR: SPRING VEGETABLE GARDENING, 9am, 3033 Bear Creek Drive. Free. hcmga.tamu.edu; 281-855-5600
THUR., FEB. 25: HOUSTON'S WEATHER IN 2016 by JOHN NELSON-GAMMON, 5:30pm, United Way Center, 50 Waugh Dr. Registration: ohbaonline.org FRI., FEB. 26: WHY ORGANIC GARDENING WORKS by JOHN FERGUSON, 10am, The Woodlands Market Street Library, 2101 Lake Robbins Dr. Garden Gals event. 713-818-6595, [email protected] SAT. FEB. 27: FORT BEND COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS ANNUAL VEGETABLE-HERB PLANT SALE, 9am, Fort
sat., feb. 27: Peckerwood Garden Docent Training, Hempstead. Garden Conservancy event. 20559 FM 359 Road, Hempstead, www.peckerwoodgarden.org/ , 979-826-3232; [email protected]
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 SAT., FEB. 27: ADVANCED VEGETABLE GARDENING by Paul Eyre, 9am-noon, Parks, Recreation and Environmental Services Facility, 8203 Millennium Forest Dr.,The Woodlands, Free, Registration Required. 281-210-3924 Vegetable Gardening
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
THUR. MAR. 3: OUR TOXIC WORLD AND YOUR HEALTH by JOHN FERGUSON, 6:30pm, Ft. Bend County Bud O'Shields Community Center, 1330 Band Rd., Rosenburg. Coastal Plains Master Naturalist event. Sharon Smith, [email protected], 281-633-7033
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; [email protected] 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; [email protected]
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, [email protected].
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
THURS., MAR. 10: THE MONARCH'S BEST HOPE IS STILL YOU by BARBARA KELLER-WILY, 7:30pm, L.G.I. Lecture Hall, McCullough Jr. High School, 3800 S. Panther Creek Dr., The Woodlands, Free. 281-210-3925; Walk in the Woods Nature Lecture
THUR. MARCH 10: ALL YOU WANT TO KNOW ABOUT MULCHES by JOHN FERGUSON, 6:30pm, County Agriculture Extension Office, 501 Palmer Ave. Liberty County Master Gardener event. Lindsay Rushel, [email protected], 936-334-3230 THURS., MAR. 10: HOW FERTILIZERS WORK AND FACTOR THAT IMPACT EFFICIENCY, 7:30pm, Cherie Flores Garden Pavilion, 1500 Hermann Drive, Houston 77004. Free. Houston Rose Society event. houstonrose.org
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; [email protected]SAT., MAR. 12: TOMATO STRESS MANAGEMENT, PART 3, by IRA GERVAIS, 9-11am, & VERMICULTURE - WORM CASTINGS FOR YOUR GARDEN, by LINDA BROWN, 1-2:30pm, Galveston County AgriLife Extension, Carbide Park, 4102 Main, La Marque. Free but reservations requested for each: [email protected]; www.aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston
MON., MAR. 14: SUCCULENT GARDENING by WALLY WARD, 1pm, Glazier Senior Center, 16600 Pine Forest Lane. Free. pct3.com/senior-centers/glazier-senior-center; 713-274-3250TUES., 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.orgTUES., 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; 713-274-3250TUE., MAR. 15: THE ABC's OF HOME COMPOSTING by KEN STEBLEIN, 6:30-8:30pm, Galveston County AgriLife Extension, Carbide Park, 4102 Main, La Marque. Free but reservations requested: [email protected]; www.aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galvestonTHURS., 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
SAT., MAR. 19: ORGANIC GARDENING FAIR, 8am-4pm, St. Anne's Catholic Church's Giving Field, Beaumont. Sharon Begnaud, [email protected]SAT., MAR. 19: HONEY BEES AROUND THE GARDEN by ROBERT MARSHALL, 9-10:30am, & TURNING DIRT INTO SOIL by JIM GILLIAN, 1-2:30pm, Galveston County AgriLife Extension, Carbide Park, 4102 Main, La Marque. Free but reservations requested for each: [email protected]; www.aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galvestonTUES., 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
TUES., MAR. 29: THE DANGERS OF GMO's by DR. THIERRY VRAIN, 6:30pm, Houston Museum of Natural Science, IMAX Theater, 5555 Herman Park Dr. $18. hmns.org; 713-639-4629
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. [email protected]
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
THURS., APR. 14: ADDING A BUTTERFLY GARDEN: DESIGN, PLANTS and MORE by Mark Bowen, 7:30 pm, L.G.I. Lecture Hall, McCullough Jr. High School, 3800 S. Panther Creek Dr., The Woodlands, Free. 281-210-3925; Walk in the Woods Nature Lecture 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 SAT., MAY 7: MINIATURE CONTAINER GARDEN WORKSHOP, 10-11am, Buchanan's Native Plants, 611 E 11th. Pay for supplies use. 713-861-5702; buchanansplants.com/events SUN., May 8: Peckerwood Garden MOTHER'S DAY Open Day, 10am-3pm tours, 20559 FM 359 Road, Hempstead. $10. Garden Conservancy event. peckerwoodgarden.org, 979-826-3232; [email protected] 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
SUN., MAY 15: TROPICAL FRUIT TREES WITH DANY MILIKIN OF EDIBLE EARTH RESOURCES, 2-3pm, Buchanan's Native Plants, 611 E 11th. Free. 713-861-5702; buchanansplants.com/events
SAT., MAY 21: FRIENDS OF PECKERWOOD GARDEN dAY, 10am-3pm tours, 20559 FM 359 Road, Hempstead. $10. Garden Conservancy event. peckerwoodgarden.org, 979-826-3232; [email protected]
SAT., MAY 21: HERB LORE WITH DANY MILIKIN OF EDIBLE EARTH RESOURCES, 10-11am, Buchanan's Native Plants, 611 E 11th. Free. 713-861-5702; buchanansplants.com/events
SAT., JUNE 4: BUTTERFLY GARDEN WORKSHOP FOR KIDS, 10-11am, Buchanan's Native Plants, 611 E 11th. Free. 713-861-5702; buchanansplants.com/events
SAT., JUNE 11: PLUMERIA SOCIETY OF AMERICA SHOW & SALE, 9:30am-3pm, Bay Area Community Center 5002 Nasa Road One Seabrook. Free. theplumeriasociety.org
SAT., JUNE 11: EDIBLE LANDSCAPING WITH DANY MILIKIN OF EDIBLE EARTH RESOURCES, 10-11am, Buchanan's Native Plants, 611 E 11th. Free. 713-861-5702; buchanansplants.com/eventsTUES., 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.
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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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. (Offer good for retail purchases of this product by the cubic yard at Nature's Way Resources (101 Sherbrook Circle, Conroe TX). Expires 02/28/16.
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