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Dear Friends,
Here is the 147th 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 and John Ferguson (John is 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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LOVING NATIVES . . . LAWN FLOWERS
. . . BLOOMING TREES . . . PRUNING HIBISCUS
"Earth laughs in flowers."
~ ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson, "Hamatreya" BY BRENDA BEUST SMITH I love this time of year. The lawn becomes a veritable enameled mead (well, that may be stretching it a bit).
Amid the Bermuda, winter weeds and dormant St. Augustine, suddenly tiny dots of color are appearing everywhere. The true beauty of these little native flowers is that they're so hardy, even when Husband insists on mowing, they'll pop right back out on really short stalks. So there! St. Patrick's Day (Mar. 17 - my Nana's birthday) is right around the corner. Grocery stores will carry four-leaf clover plants with their beautiful little white flowers. These easily transplant into shade gardens for years of blooms.
Okay, okay. I know even a mention of actually planting clover -- aka oxalis -- will start at least half my readers hyperventilating. You're thinking of the ubiquitous little pink-flowered clover, right? True, these are invasive. But not all oxalis are. Below are pictured those growing in my yard. Some date back almost 50 years. I planted all but the common pinks. They just appeared. I love them all: 1. Common pink oxalis or pink clover. Blooms in shade or sun. Yes, it's invasive. 2. My darker pink oxalis form mounders that get larger. I don't consider this invasive. 3. 'Iron Butterfly' is also a mounding oxalis found in local nurseries. I don't consider mine invasive. 4. This white "St. Patrick" oxalis forms delightful little clumps that usually go dormant all summer, returning every late fall to bloom through the coldest months. I don't consider mine invasive. 5. Purple oxalis, a pure delight, seems to have the shortest dormancy and longest bloom period in my yard. Can take sun. In fact, when sunlight hits these petals, they look like masses of purple butterflies! I don't consider mine invasive.
I've tried the yellow oxalis but they've never lasted for me. Kathy Huber says hers grow. Anyone else out there have luck with those?
Above, also blooming now: the red-berried & yellow-flowering strawberry grass (above left) and, below these, the tiny lavender lawn violets, along with the white false garlic at right.
Who cares if the grass is slow to grow when you have such cheery color all over?
As soon as it gets hot, all but my purple oxalis will all disappear, not returning until cold weather comes again next winter. What a perfect situation for a lazy gardener! Re the unwanted, invasive pink oxalis - a heavy mulch laid down in winter, with 4-5 newspaper layers underneath directly over the soil, should reduce the number of new sprouts. But you have to do this by December at the latest. Remember, these are dormant until winter. That's when they sprout. Then, of course, they'll spread to the yard where they can be mowed down.
Other than that, digging is the only solution I know. If it's any consolation, Kathy Huber recently emailed that she'd been out in her gardens, digging up oxalis. If you've got any other ridding techniques, do share! SPEAKING OF WILDFLOWERS . . . * Don't forget to look up and beyond. Our woods already are full of yellow Carolina jessamine vines and pink redwood trees, left below. And just around the corner will be the magnificent displays of white dogwoods and fields of bluebonnets (right). Dogwoods, second from right above, do better the further north and east the from Houston center that you live. The further south and west, the less likely they are to thrive. That's not to say they won't grow, but don't take it personally if they die.
In the past, masses of snowy white dogwood trees dotted our East Texas Piney Woods in spring. Clear-cutting to make room, and provide lumber, for urban sprawl has wiped out a lot of these treasures. But numerous viewing trails are still listed online: texasdogwoodtrails.comCloser to home at Mercer Botanic Gardens, soon you will be able to see Texas' common flat-flowered dogwood (C ornus florida, pictured above) as well as the incredibly exotic Mexican dogwood Cornus florida ssp. urbiniana (below, left) and the evergreen dogwood, Cornus eliptica, right below. Although they're not in bloom yet, they should be fairly soon. I'll let you know when to visit to see these.  CAN'T IDENTIFY OUR NATIVE PLANTS? YOU'RE MISSING HALF THE FUN. Sign up for the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center's March 5 & 12 two-part "Native Plant ID" class to boost your overall IQ on our common varieties: 9-11am, 4501 Woodway, $45. Register: houstonarboretum.org. HANC's Jed Alpaca will cover a wide range of native flora.
NATIVE TULIPS - - HOW NEAT! Memorial area gardening friend Ed Holland gave me a delightful morning surprise recently with a picture of his 6-inch high . . . are you ready for this? . . . dark pink wild tulip! That's it, pictured at the top of the column, second from left. Of course, Ed has these treasures in his garden, not lawn, blooming with tiny irises. Ed explains these are the original tulips, growing for centuries in the mountains of Turkey and Afghanistan among other sites. Ed ordered his from Van Engelen.
81st ANNUAL AZALEA TRAIL Can't guarantee you'll see any wild tulips, but to definitely savor spectacular Holland-type bulbs always in abundance along with incredible blooming shrubs, don't miss the 81st Annual Azalea Trail March 11-13. The River Oaks Garden Club event will feature seven locations this year: 3 private homes, St. John the Divine Chapel, Reinzi, the Forum, and Bayou Bend. Details:
* * * THIS JUST IN -- LISTEN UP! Did you see Ray Sher's article in Sunday Chronicle's Homes Section? "Make spring gardening your delightful hobby" is a great advice piece for not only new-to-this-area gardeners, but those who are looking for the very best vegetable varieties for our edible gardens. Ray, a power-that-be in Urban Harvest, is one of my variety gurus. Try the names he recommends! AND NOW . . . EVERYONE'S FAVORITE: HIBISCUS!!!! In our Spotlight below, well known hibiscus lecturer Marti Graves gives a heads up on how to prune these gorgeous, hardy flowering shrubs to get the most flowers and best growth. And then, as a bonus, how to easily root all those cuttings! These are just a few of the free tips she'll be sharing Wednesday, Mar. 9, at 1pm, the Glazier Senior Center, 16600 Pine Forest Lane. Free. 713-274-3250. At the end of her Spotlight article are dates of the American Hibiscus Society/Lone Star Chapter's upcoming sales. Mark your calendars now!
PLEASE - IF YOU DO NOT GET A RESPONSE FROM ME TO AN EMAIL, ASSUME I DID NOT RECEIVE IT AND SEND IT AGAIN!
CHECK NEWSLETTER CALENDAR TO MAKE SURE YOUR EVENTS ARE PUBLISHED. IF THEY AREN'T, LET ME KNOW! lazygardener@sbcglobal.net
* * * Left to right: Mini Ballerina, hybridized by Dupont Nursery, Plaquemine, LA.
#1. Where you make pruning cuts does make a difference. #2. Pencil size in length
& diameter is best to slow drying out. #3. Grouping cuttings aids rooting. HIBISCUS -- PRUNING & ROOTING CUTTINGS PRUNING TIPS
* Hibiscus bloom on new growth, so do not be afraid to prune. You can prune all summer.
* Hibiscus growers prune to remove dead or diseased wood and to shape a plant. * Start with clean, sharp bi-pass clippers. You may need lopping shears if your plants are large. * To keep pruners clean and not spread disease, prepare a spray bottle of bleach solution (10% bleach mixed in water) or rubbing alcohol full strength to spray on clipper blades between cuts. * Always cut at an angle to shed water. * Cut as close to the main branch as possible. Stubs can become diseased. * Remove small twigs and branches that cross the inside of the plant.
* Find buds that face outward and cut above, leaving the outward bud, to encourage the bud to grow outward creating a prettier plant. Outward growth allows light and air to reach the plant center, reducing insect and fungus problems. * You may prune prior to new growth appearing. Don't do this too early as the new growth may bud out and get hit with a late cold snap. * If you have a plant that has not bloomed in a while, try pinching off (with forefinger and thumb) the youngest foliage on branch tips. This kicks off a complex hormonal rearrangement that results in new branching and directs nourishment to remaining foliage. If you carefully do this above a bud, you will get bigger blooms.
ROOTING CUTTINGS TIPS * If your hibiscus plants have been growing well and they just need trimming, practice the pruning techniques describe above. * Try rooting the healthy trimmings - branches that least pencil sized in diameter and pencil sized in length. * Prepare a small pot with 1/3 light soil and 2/3 perlite. Dip cuttings in a rooting hormone available at most garden supply companies). Some are powder and some are liquid; both work. * Place as many cuttings as you can in the same pot. It is thought they release an enzyme that improves rooting ability. * Rootings started in spring should have roots forming in 6 - 8 weeks. * Once roots showing out of the pot bottom, it is time to plant. * Remove all of the cuttings together. Place the clump in a pail of water. Gently swish the clump in the water, separating each plant. * Plant your new hibiscus in a light soil with plenty of inert material. * * * √ Marti will be sharing more hibiscus growing tips Wednesday, Mar. 9, at 1pm, the Glazier Senior Center, 16600 Pine Forest Lane. Free. 713-274-3250
√If you're in the market for hibiscus plants, no better resource exists than local Hibiscus Society sales. The Lone Star Chapter has two upcoming: Sunday, April 17, in Bellaire & Saturday, May 7, in Sugar Land. See calendar below for details. √ Brenda's note: If you're growing hibiscus, no better reference exists than the American Hibiscus Society's "The Tropical Hibiscus Handbook - Hibiscus Rosa-sincensis," edited by Barry Schlueter and Patricia Burns Merritt. I was the River Bend Company Publisher, who worked with Pat on this book. It is an incredible resource and source of the pruning pictures used here. Order via Walter Bisselle, AHS Treasurer, P. O. Box 1580, Venice, FL 34284, or wbisselle@aol.com. $25 includes shipping.
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JOHN'S CORNER
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
More and more Americans are growing their own food, from vegetable gardens to fruits and berries. Did you think about "Why"? In previous articles we have talked about the dangers and problem caused by toxic pesticide chemicals and GMO's. Today I am going to talk about another reason.
It did not show up in the popular press since they are advertiser supported. However, it has been found that over 300,000 pounds of RAT meat from CHINA is being sold in restaurants and grocery stores across America! Often this is in products sold as chicken wings, as strong seasonings can cover up the off-taste. The FDA has seized a few thousand pounds but most of it is in our food supply. Another meat from MEXICO is opossum meat, which is illegally sold to unsuspecting consumers. Last year according to a FDA study, over 36 million pounds of illegal counterfeit meat is sold in the United Sates every year. It is a very profitable business hence it is no wonder why corporations do not want Americans to know what is in the food and where it comes from.
This is very troubling to me, as rats carry many types of diseases. This month's Acres, USA mentions a common one, the avian pathogenic E. coli that causes diseases in chickens and possibly humans. The rats were also carrying multidrug resistant strains of the bacteria.
Since the Freedom of Information Act passed, we are learning more and more about government abuse and cover-ups. Last summer I did a book review of the book:
FDA - Failure, Deception, Abuse - The Story of an Out-of-Control Government Agency and What It Means For Your Health, Life Extension Found
ation, Praktikoa Books, 2010, ISBN: 978-1-60766-001-9
This morning's Houston Chronicle had an article that called the FDA - "Fostering Drug Addiction".
A few days ago, the American College of Pediatricians has warned about the toxic effects of Gardasil vaccine and the scientific fraud used to get it approved. A nice summary can be found at:
So what can we do to protect our children and families?
1) Buy organic whenever possible
2) Use your voting rights
3) Call or write your senators and representatives
Several polls show that between 92-94% of the American people want labeling. A few days ago another version of the DARK Act (Deny Americans the Right to Know), by Senator Pat Roberts (R) was introduced to prevent labeling. Note: Several states have passed labeling laws and other states have laws that are pending.
Two of our presidential candidates (one from each party) have stated that there should be no labeling. They will do what their corporate handlers want and to heck with what the American people want. I encourage our readers to research this issue for themselves.
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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
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 WED.-THURS., MAR. 2-3: 4th ANNUAL GULF COAST HERB FAIR & LUNCHEON, Moody Gardens Visitor Center and Garden Restaurant, Galveston. Friends of Moody Gardens event. http://blog.moodygardens.com/friends-of-moody-gardens-annual-fundraiser-gulf-coast-herb-fair/ or e.l.perry@att.net 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. 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., MAR 5: MONTGOMERY COUNTY MASTER GARDENER SPRING CLASS: GARDENING 101. AgriLife Extension Office, 9020 Airport Road, Conroe. 9 until 11. $5.00 cash or check. 936-539-7824 or mcmga.com SAT., MAR., 5: HOME GROWN VEGETABLES FOR SMALL SPACES, 10:15am, Cornelius Nursery, 2233 South Voss Road. Free 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. 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. 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 THUR. MARCH 10: ALL YOU WANT TO KNOW ABOUT MULCHES by JOHN FERGUSON, 6:30pm, Liberty High School Event Room, 2615 Jefferson Dr, . 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.eduTHURS., MAR. 10: GROWING & USING HERBS by TRICIA BRADBURY, 9:30am, Recreation and Tennis Center, 2701 Cypress Poi nt Dr., Missouri City. Free. Quail Valley Garden Club event. QuailValleyGardenClub.org THURS., MAR. 10: JUNIOR MASTER GARDENER LEARN, GROW, EAT, GO! COMMUNITY PARTNER TRAINING, AgriLife Extension Service, 3033 Bear Creek Dr. $30. Deadline Mat 7 on Eventbrite; 713-274-0978; snolen@ag.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/galvestonSAT., MAR. 12: LAWN CARE by LP, 10am, Enchanted Forest, 10611 FM 2759, Richmond; 2pm Enchanted Gardens, 6420 FM 359, Richmond. Free. myenchanted.comSAT., MAR 12: MONTGOMERY COUNTY MASTER GARDENER SPRING PLANT SALE, AgriLife Extension Office, 9020 Airport Road, Conroe. Sat. - Program @ 8 am; Sale 9 am - noon. 936-539-7824 or mcmga.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; 713-274-3250 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.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; 713-274-3250 TUE., 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/galveston 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
SAT., MAR. 19: ORGANIC GARDENING FAIR, 8am-4pm, St. Anne's Catholic Church's Giving Field, Beaumont. Sharon Begnaud, sebegnaud@gmail.com 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: galv3@wt.net; www.aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galvestonSAT., MAR. 19: GARDEN VILLAS GARDEN CLUB ANNUAL PLANT & GARDEN ACCESSORY SALE, 9am, Garden Villas Park Community Center, 6720 S. Haywood. bburns50@aol.com MON.. 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 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., MAR. 26: 2 nd ANNUAL BAYOUT GREENWAY DAY, 11am-4pm, White Oak Bayou Greenway, T.C. Jester Park, 4201 T. C. Jester Blvd. Free. Houston Parks Board event. bayougreenwayday.org 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. 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
SAT, APR. 2: BRAZORIA COUNTY MASTER GARDENER ANNUAL SPRING PLANT SALE, 8am-noon, Brazoria County Environmental Education Station, 799 E. Hospital Drive at CR 171, Angleton. txmg.org/brazoria. 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. 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
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
SAT, APRIL 16: SPRING PERENNIAL PLANT SALE. OVERVIEW AT 8 am; SALE FROM 9 am- 1 pm. BRING YOUR WAGON AND COME EARLY FOR THE BEST SELECTION. 3033 Bear Creek Drive. Free. Details: http://hcmga.tamu.edu/Public/pubSales.aspx 281-855-5600 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: myenchanted.com
SAT., 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.orgSAT., 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: 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/events 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
TUES.-SUN., JUNE 14-19: WORLD BROMELIAD CONFERENCE XXII, Show and Plant Sale 9am-5pm Fri. & Sat.; 9am-noon Sun., Westin Galleria Hotel, 5060 West Alabama St. Bromeliad Society/Houston, Inc./Bromeliad Society International event. www.bsi.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 jobs@natureswayresources.com.
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THIS NEWSLETTER IS MADE
POSSIBLE BY THE FOLLOWING SPONSORS |
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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.
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 pomegranates and pears.
(Offer good for retail purchases of this product (101 Sherbrook Circle, Conroe TX). Expires 03/28/16.
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