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Dear Friends,
Here is the 146th 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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SNAKE-Y SUGGESTIONS . . . TIME TO SMELL THE VIOLETS . . .
TOP FLOWERS VOTE. . . WANT TO SELL YOUR EXTRA HARVESTS?
God said, Adam, What have you done?
Adam said, I'm not the only one!
The woman made me make a mistake.
Then Eve said, It was caused by the snake.
So the poor snake the blame did land on
Because he hadn't a leg to stand on.
BY BRENDA BEUST SMITH
Please don't get turned off by today's top topic. Usually about this time of year, when temperatures start rising, we see more snakes in our gardens. But this year has been so warm, well, we all live so close to bayous, the possibility always exists.
The vast majority of our snakes are harmless. Typical - the garter snake pictured above on that hymenocallis (giant white spider lily). I like her. She eats roaches, termites, ants and slugs. Her larger cousins also eat mice and rats. That makes them good neighbors in my book.
Let's face it: if it weren't for snakes, we'd literally be living amid a "plague of rats, mice, frogs and toads." We're already in a plague of roaches and squirrels. Snakes are not rhizophagous; they won't hurt your plants.
Useful tricks can help kiddos (and us) easily identify some snakes. At left above is the harmless king snake. At center is the almost-look-alike-yet-venomous coral snake. Just remember:
"RED TOUCH BLACK, FRIEND OF JACK. RED TOUCH YELLOW, KILL A FELLOW."
At right above is the poisonous (although low toxicity) copperhead. Note the darker markings. Don't they look like Hershey kisses?
Snakes are more afraid of you than you are of them. The absolute worst thing you can do is to panic and try to kill a snake in front of children. * First, you are teaching them to fear snakes. * Second, they'll be far more likely to try to kill one when you're not around. They might try this on dangerous snake and could get hurt. All from what you taught them to do. Teach your children to come tell you immediately if they see a snake. Never touch it, never hit it with anything. Move everyone out of harm's way and make a lot of noise. Then leave. Snakes don't like to be around people, and they really don't like noise. Chances are it won't move while you're there watching. It will probably freeze in place, hoping you'll go away. Chances are also extremely high that when you come back, it will be gone. If you want someone to search for the snake and remove it, google Snake Removal Houston. There are plenty around, including Clint Pustejovsky of www.texassnakes.net.
They're going to ask you what kind of snake it was or, at the least, what it looked like. If you don't immediately recognize the snake, the time has come to learn about our snakes so you know whether or not: 1. this is a harmless snake helping to rid your yard of termites, ants, slugs, mice and rats, or
2. it maybe is one you'd rather not have around.
One great free opportunity is coming up:
Tues. Mar. 8: SNAKE SAFETY IN THE GARDEN by CLINT PUSTEJOVSKY,
I admit it's easier to give advice than to take it. We've now found two coral snakes in our Greens Bayou area yard, an EXTREMELY unusual occurrence. They normally come out only at night.
I ran around the yard like a maniac yelling: RED & YELLOW KILL A FELLOW!!!. Husband calmly found a garbage can, got the snake into it and we took it to the Jesse Jones Nature Center for their displays. I called ahead and they said, yes, they'd love to have it because they hadn't seen one in such a long time.The point of this is that nature centers are a wonderful place to take children to see the snakes in a live-but-safe setting. Google your area + nature center. Then call to see if they have live snake exhibits. You can see them for sure at the Houston Zoo, Houston Arboretum & Nature Center, , Brazos Bend Nature Center.
If you know of other snake-viewing sites, do share.
* TIME TO SMELL THE VIOLETS . . .
Sat. & Sun. Mar. 5-6, at the Judson Robinson Jr. Community Center, 2020 Hermann Park Dr.
The 36th annual free Spring Branch African Violet Club Show & Sale will feature
a plant sale 9am-5pm Sat & 10am-3pm Sun. Show winners will be on display
. . . AND TRY THESE FERNS
Among the underused, easy-to-grow ferns Linda Gay will be recommending during her free
Texas Gulf Coast Fern Society lecture Sunday will be, l to r, Mother or Chain Fern (Woodwardia oriental),
Dwarf Tree Fern (Blechnum gibbeum), Asplenium 'Austral Gem' and Crown fern (Aglaonema coronans)
* UH, RICE & U OF ST. THOMAS PLANTING FOR MONARCHS . . .
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* THE WINNING FLOWERS ARE . . .
Top Performers in the 2015 Harris County Bedding Plant Trials (as reported in Texas A&M AgriLife Extension's "Green Trends" industry newsletter, are, l to r,
above: Hot Pak French Marigold, Ageratum Blue Hawaii, Gomphrena Pong Pong Series and, l to r, below: Angelonia Serenita Blue, Zinnia Profusion Double Series and Dragon's Breath Celosia were .
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EVER THOUGHT OF SELLING YOUR EXTRA HARVESTS?
When he isn't busy getting ready for the big March 5-6 2016 March Mart plant sale, Mercer Botanic Gardens greenhouse manager Jacob Martin does just that - sells produce from his own gardens, only in a very organized, efficient way. He gladly shares some tips in our SPOTLIGHT article below. (See calendar for more March Mart details.)
After you finish reading Jacob's article, you might also want to check out Buchanan's Native Plant's website, on which they promote the Texas Department of Agriculture's "Go Texan" logo. I had never heard of "Go Texan" in terms of horticulture, but in checking out that reference I found an interesting program that includes a component on selling your own excess harvests.
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PS. BE SURE YOU VOTE!
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SUBMIT LAZY GARDENER & FRIENDS CALENDAR EVENT NOTICES TO lazygardener@sbcglobal.net
If submitted in our EXACT format, your event notice will be copied and pasted right into the calendar. If you choose not to use our EXACT format, it MAY take two weeks or more to get it retyped/reformatted and entered into the calendar. (see calendar below for an event similar to yours) If you do not get a "received" response from me to any email, assume I did not receive it and please resend. Thanks!
Jacob Martin, left, tends flowers in Mercer's greenhouse
and, right, works with Mercer volunteers.
SELLING YOUR EXTRA HARVESTS
BY JACOB MARTIN
Mercer Botanic Gardens Greenhouse Manager
Ever grow too many vegetables and herbs and not know what to do with them?
While it may seem daunting, selling your excess produce to local restaurants can be a great way to earn extra cash and cut back on waste. Chefs want the freshest produce possible, but few grow their own. That means many will seek local growers with quality produce.
After starting Old School Produce my senior year of college, I quickly learned that growing high-demand, low-maintenance produce can lead to a more successful gardening business.
Some of the most valuable herbs and vegetables are usually the most labor intensive and require specific growing conditions. It's best to pick something you have experience growing, whether it's basil, carrots, tomatoes, peppers, or even edible flowers. Also, choosing to grow something in season will require less work and yield produce that looks and tastes better.
Once you settle on a crop, plant enough to stay consistent. Restaurants plan menus based on available fresh produce. Having enough in stock to last at least a week will help you build relationships with buyers and may lead to referrals for new restaurants.
Know your product. Find out what complements your crop, its flavor profiles, and how others have used it. When it's easy to envision potential menu items, chefs will more likely purchase your products and ask about other ingredients they may be considering.
Packaging matters when it comes to selling your product. Pre-wash your product and choose a type of packaging that stows easily. Restaurants love convenience, so make sure your product is easy to access and use.
Now that you have your product picked and packaged, you're ready to sell. Choose restaurants known for buying locally, that aren't large chains. Approach potential buyers either early in the morning or between the lunch and dinner rush. Chefs will be more willing to talk to you during slower business hours.
So next time you have extra homegrown vegetables, don't let them go to waste. Perhaps you'll see them on your favorite restaurant's menu one day.
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JOHN'S CORNER
SOME OF MY FAVORITE MAIL ORDER NURSERIES
This weekend as I was going through some of my gardening catalogs and making my wish list. I was thinking many or our readers might be interested in some of the mail order nurseries. Hence, these are some of my favorites.
The Nursery at Ty Ty, LLC
4723 US Hwy 82 W
Ty Ty, Georgia, 31795
shipping@tytyga.com
www.TyTyGa.com
Toll Free: 888-758-2252
They carry large selections of plants for the Gulf Coast. I recently ordered southern Paw Paws trees and they came in great.
Willis Orchard Company
https://www.willisorchards.com/
1-866-586-6283
I recently ordered the native wild Chickasaw Plums from them.
Wildseed Farms
425 Wildflower Hills
P.O. Box 3000
Fredricksburg, Texas 78624
800-848-0078
www.wildseedfarms.com
Native American Seed
www.seedsource.com
1-800-728-4043
2016 Native American Seed
Junction, Texas
I have ordered from them many times. They have an excellent selection of native seeds from grasses to wildflowers. Extremely well packaged and quick delivery.
FOREST FARM at Pacifica
P.O. Box 1
14643 Watergap Road
Williams, Oregon 97544
1-541-846-7269
They have a huge selection of plants from all over the world that will do well along the gulf coast. I have always had excellent quality and results.
Select Seeds
180 Stickney Hill Road
Union, CT 06076
1-800-684-0395
www.selectseeds.com
They are a certified organic farm and I have always had great results.
Logee's Greenhouse
141 North Street
Danielson, CT 06239
888-330-8038
www.logees.com
Lots of tropical's and fragrant plants. Always good quality.
J. L. Hudson, Seedsman
P. O. Box 337
La Honda, California 94020
www.JLHudsonSeeds.net
For those that like to try new plants they have a fascinating seed catalog. They sell hundreds of species (maybe thousands) from all over the world. I have ordered from them for over 30 years. I have been growing plants in my yard started from their seeds for decades that are just now starting to show up in our nursery trade.
Brent and Becky's
(877) 661-2852
7900 Daffodil Lane
Gloucester, VA 23061
www.brentandbeckysbulbs.com
Great selection of bulbs and other plants. Well packaged and excellent quality.
The Southern Bulb Co.
PO Box 350, Golden, TX 75444
888-285-2486
www.bulbhunter.com
Great source of heirloom bulbs for the South
Woodlanders
1128 Colleton Ave.
Aiken, SC 29801
(803) 648-7522
www.woodlanders.net
Digging Dog Nursery
31101 Middle Ridge Road
Albion, CA 95410
(707) 937-1235
www.diggingdog.com
They carry many hard to find plants collected in Northern Mexico with many good for our area.
Ison's Nursery
(800) 733-0324
6855 Newnan Road, PO Box 190
Brooks, GA 30205-2424
www.isons.com
Many varieties of muscadine grapes for the gulf coast
Yucca Do Nursery
www.yuccado.com
Giddings, Texas
Plant cultivars from the southwest, Mexico and South America, Africa, and Asia, and beyond. Many hard to find plants.
Garden's Alive
5100 Schenley Place
Lawrenceburg, IN 47025
(812) 537-5108
Gardeners Supply Company
128 Intervale Road
Burlington, Vermont 05401
1-888-833-1412
They carry a great range of gardening supplies.
ARBICO Organics
10831 N. Mavinee Dr, Ste. 185
Oro Valley, AZ 85737
http://www.arbico-organics.com/
Peaceful Valley Farm Supply
P.O. Box 2209
Grass Valley, CA 95945
(916) 272-4769
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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 two weeks 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., 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
SAT., FEB. 20: BERRIES THE URBAN HARVEST WAY by Sherry Cruse, , 10am, Enchanted Forest, 10611 FM 2759, Richmond; 2pm Enchanted Gardens, 6420 FM 359, Richmond. Free. www.myenchanted.com
SAT., FEB. 20: SECRETS TO A BAREFOOT SOFT LAWN, 10:15am, Cornelius Nursery, 2233 South Voss Road. Free.
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, cdutton@wt.net 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; 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 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 GardeningSAT., FEB. 27: TOMATOES & VEGGIES by TOM LEROY, 10am, Enchanted Forest, 10611 FM 2759, Richmond; 2pm Enchanted Gardens, 6420 FM 359, Richmond. Free. www.myenchanted.com SUN., FEB. 28: SOIL PREPARATION & GROWING VEGETABLES IN HOUSTON by TOM LEROY, 2pm, Wabash Feed & Garden, 5701 Washington Ave. $10. 713-863-8322. wabashfeed.com/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, gardendiva13@yahoo.com, 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; wallermgardener2013@gmail.com
SAT., MAR. 5: LANDSCAPE DESIGN BASICS, 10am, Enchanted Forest, 10611 FM 2759, Richmond; 2pm Enchanted Gardens, 6420 FM 359, Richmond. Free. www.myenchanted.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., MAR. 5: HARRIS COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS TOMATO & PEPPER SALE & SYMPOSIA; 8am Overview; 9am-1pm sale. 3033 Bear Creek Drive. Free. hcmga.tamu.edu/Public/pubSales.aspx 281-855-5600
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
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,ms.ruschel@gmail.com, 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
THURS., MAR. 10: "Ornamental Plant Trials in Harris County" by Paul Winski, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Agent - Harris County. 10 - 11:30 am, Clear Lake Meeting Room, 5001 Nasa Pkwy. FREE. Harris County Master Gardeners at Precinct 2 event. 281-855-5600 hcmga.tamu.edu
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 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.orgSAT., 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: galv@wt.net; www.aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston
SAT., MAR. 12: LAWN CARE by LP, 10am, Enchanted Forest, 10611 FM 2759, Richmond; 2pm Enchanted Gardens, 6420 FM 359, Richmond. Free. www.myenchanted.com
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: galv3@wt.net; 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, sebegnaud@gmail.comSAT., 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: galv3@wt.net; www.aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galvestonMON.. MAR. 21: OPEN GARDEN DAY WITH HARRIS COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS AT PRECINCT 2, 8:30 - 11:00 am, Genoa Friendship Garden, 1202 Genoa Red Bluff Rd. FREE. Plants for sale in Greenhouse. 281-855-5600 hcmga.tamu.edu
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
TUE., MAR. 29: 'TEXAS TUFF' LANDSCAPE PLANTS - BLOOMING AND BEAUTIFUL by SANDRA DEVALL, 6:30-8pm, Galveston County AgriLife Extension, Carbide Park, 4102 Main, La Marque. Free but reservations requested: galv3@wt.net; www.aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston
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
SAT., APR. 2: ROSES IN THE LANDSCAPE by GAYE HAMMOND, 10am, Enchanted Forest, 10611 FM 2759, Richmond; 2pm Enchanted Gardens, 6420 FM 359, Richmond. Free. www.myenchanted.com
SAT., APRIL 2: MEMORIAL NORTHWEST LADYBUGS GARDEN CLUB PLANT & TREE SALE, 9am-2pm, Memorial Northwest Community Center, 17440 Theiss Mail Route Road, Spring, Free. mnwhoa.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
THURS., APR. 7: FINIALS AND FOLLIES: A LOOK AT ARCHITECTURAL GARDEN FEATURES FROM AROUND THE WORLD by DARRIN DULING, 9:30am, Municipal Utility Building #81, 805 Hidden Canyon Dr., Katy. Free. Nottingham Country Garden Club event. nottinghamgardenclub.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
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
SAT., APR. 9: TIME TO TALK HERBS by HENRY FLOWERS, 10am, Enchanted Forest, 10611 FM 2759, Richmond; 2pm Enchanted Gardens, 6420 FM 359, Richmond. Free. www.myenchanted.com
TUES., APR. 12: PLANT PROPAGATION TECHNIQUES WORKSHOP by MONTGOMERY COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS, 9am. Extension Office, 9020 FM 1484 (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
SAT., APR. 16: ATTRACTING BUTTERFLIES TO POLLINATE YOUR GARDEN by NANCY GRIEG, 10am, Enchanted Forest, 10611 FM 2759, Richmond; 2pm Enchanted Gardens, 6420 FM 359, Richmond. Free. www.myenchanted.com
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
SAT., APR. 23: ORGANIC SOLUTIONS TO PESKY INSECTS by ANDY CHIDESTER, 10am, Enchanted Forest, 10611 FM 2759, Richmond; 2pm Enchanted Gardens, 6420 FM 359, Richmond. Free. www.myenchanted.com
SAT., APR. 30: FAIRY GARDEN SEMINARS, 10am, Enchanted Forest, 10611 FM 2759, Richmond; 2pm Enchanted Gardens, 6420 FM 359, Richmond. $10/reservations: www.myenchanted.com
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 SAT., MAY 7: CHAPPELL HILL GARDEN TOUR & PLANT SALE, 10am-4pm, 9060 Poplar St., Chappell Hill. Chappell Hill Garden Club event. 979-836-2554; 713-562-6191. 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; info@peckerwoodgarden.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., MAY 14: SUCCULENT MAKE AND TAKE, 10am, Enchanted Forest, 10611 FM 2759, Richmond; 2pm Enchanted Gardens, 6420 FM 359, Richmond. Reservations: www.myenchanted.com
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; info@peckerwoodgarden.org
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., MAY 21: TOMATO & SALSA CONTEST judged by BILL ADAMS , 10am, Enchanted Forest, 10611 FM 2759, Richmond; 2pm Enchanted Gardens, 6420 FM 359, Richmond. www.myenchanted.com
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.
Events NOT submitted in the EXACT written format below may take two weeks 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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Green Job Opportunities at Nature's Way Resources
Inside Sales: duties include providing customer service, gardening advice and sales assistance. This is a part time position.
Horticulturist: duties include customer service, providing planting recommendations and helping to maintain our plant nursery.
For more information please email Mark Bowen at markbowenhoutx@gmail.com.
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THIS NEWSLETTER IS MADE
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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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| COUPON: Nature's Way Resources. 50% off all Antique Roses.
(Offer good for retail purchases of this product (101 Sherbrook Circle, Conroe TX). Expires 02/28/16.
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