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Dear Friends,
Here is the 154th 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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 PONDS & TRANQUILITY . . . GARDENERS IN NEWS . . . SWAP THOSE PLANTS!
"The best laid schemes o' mice an' men / Gang aft a-gley."
"To a Mouse," by Robert Burns (1785)
If I'd known how much rain was going to get dumped on us this week, I'd have run these wonderful koi pond/water garden pictures last week! I can just visualize all the snickers as readers quip about ". . . the unplanned pond in MY backyard this week!" Robert Burns definitely had it right!
For those of you who flooded, my deepest empathy. Nature bats last, especially when we're on the path to clear-cutting, concreting over, and building on every square inch of soil in this natural swamp we call home.
My best advice to gardeners: let garden soil dry out completely before doing anything at all. Plant roots are probably in a bit of shock and need all the oxygen they can get. Everytime one disturbs wet soil, one forces out some oxygen. Not a good idea.
In the meantime, let the tranquility of the beautiful ponds, waterside plantings and gorgeous koi pictured at top work their magic. And make it a point to see how the koi/water garden pros create such masterpieces.
The May 7-8 Annual Houston Water Garden and Pond Tour features the some of the very best (see above) from both the Houston Pond Society and the Lone Star Koi Club.
Don't just ask what they did right to achieve these wonderful assets to any yard. Ask what they did wrong along the way! Details and maps to each of the 12 sites: houstonpondsociety.org OR lonestarkoi.com. Learn what mistakes to avoid! Some tips Dan Cook of the Lone Star Koi Club and Houston Pond Society was kind enough to give us in an earlier issue: 1. Have a plan - don't just dig a hole in the middle of the back yard and call it a pond. 2. Make sure the pond fits in and complements the rest of the yard. 3. A koi pond is typically deeper and requires a higher degree of filtration than a goldfish pond. 4. The biggest regret pond owners have is they didn't make it big enough. If in doubt, go bigger. 5. Install a bottom drain to will help keep the pond clean and make it easier to drain thru. 6. Install a bog filter. This will help keep the water clear. 7. Don't overfeed fish. This will get the water dirty. 8. Don't let your installer sell you what he wants to install. Get what you want. Research and look at a lot of ponds before starting construction. 9. Don't install invasive or illegal plants such as water lettuce or water hyacinth. 10. Clean your pond regularly. Get the leaves out of the pond and clean the filters on a routine basis. * * * IF YOU WANT TO SEE BLOOMS THAT EXCITE HIBISCUS PROS, check out this issue of To see winners from the recent American Hibiscus Society/Lone Star Chapter show, click here.
* MARGARET CHERRY'S TULIPS. Tulips really aren't lazy gardener plants. The bulbs have to be refrigerated at least 4-6 weeks before planting into order for them to bloom in our hot climate. We do this in November/December. But am telling you this now, so you can plan ahead and purchase the best possible bulbs for refrigerating. Extra work aside, I do love writing about tulips. They remind me of Houston's Bulb Lady, the late Sally McQueen Squire, with whom I work for decades. Sally was one of the prime movers in teaching all of us how to grow these wonderful Holland bulbs in our hot, humid climate.
Back to Margaret (left below), who was the recent subject of a great Sue Geiger article in Coastal Monthly, a Galveston Daily News publication).The article details Margaret's trials with 1600 tulip bulbs as part of her job with bulb importers Abbott-IPCO. The test bulbs she receives for her Clear Lake-area landscape are already professionally chilled. But we can do the same in our refrigerators as explained above. Just don't let the bulbs touch the walls or they might freeze. She plants hers between Christmas and New Years (the same planting time Sally promoted).
One of best place here to get tulip bulbs is the Garden Club of Houston's Bulb & Plant Mart (my friend Sally was a prime GCH and Garden Club of America mover & shaker back in her heyday). The 2016 Mart will be Oct. 13-15. Mark your calendar. It will be here before you know it! 
* THE GALVESTON COUNTY PLANT SWAP, above right, is such an incredible experience, I want to make sure you know they're changing locations. The Sat., Apr. 30 Plant Swap will be at Johnson Space Center Gilruth Center Pavilion on Space Center Blvd., between NASA Rd and Bay Area Blvd. Want to participate/attend? First be sure to check out the rules at freewebs.com/gcplantswap/index.htm.
If you're planning or even considering a Plant Swap, to check out these tips from the Galveston Swap folks, click here.
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INSECTARY POSTPONED: Angela Chandler's "Plant A Pocket Insectary" class at The Arbor Gate, 5635 FM 2920, Tomball, has been postponed until 10am, Thur., May 5, due to the weather. Free but reservations requested: (281) 351-8851. If you missed Angela's preview Spotlight article last week: click here
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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JOHN'S CORNER
News from the wonderful world
of soil and plants
It seems there is a new research paper on the benefits and complex interaction of microbes, plant growth, and their health are being released almost daily. We are learning about the importance of microbes for human health also. I was reading about some research at the University of Florida on a dental probiotic. It not only prevents cavities but also helps the tooth re-grow its enamel.
Researchers at the University of Delaware have found that when plants are cut they clot at the site of injury just like humans clot at the site of a wound. It had been a mystery until now where they indentified two enzymes that produce this response. Plants produce a biopolymer called callose that they deposit at the wounding site that seals the injury. These enzymes also regulate movement of nutrients and water around the injury to prevent loss of resources.
I read an article last week from the Woods End Research Laboratories (Dan Davidson) that used an analogy of a cars engine and soil health. A plants growth and health is strongly influenced by the quality of the soil it grows in. So, "what is the size of your engine? Have you checked lately? Just as if one uses a dynamometer to measure horsepower on a tractor or car, you can use the Solvita soil respiration to measure the horsepower of your soil. The better tuned an engine the greater the horsepower and efficiency. I believe soil is similar and by improving the quality (tuning) and building the biological factory (modifying and supercharging) your soil engine can produce more horsepower." This requires lots of humus (compost) in the soil to provide the energy for the microbes and a good quality mulch on top.
The Solvita test kit is easy to use by any gardener and it can be ordered at https://www.solvita.com, and gives a quick easy measurement of one's soil health. The test measures the respiration of microbes in the soil using the carbon dioxide (CO2) produced by the microbes.
The full article is found at https://www.solvita.com/field-treat-soil-like-engine-dan-davidson
A paper by South Dakota State University has found that a host plant will be colonized by multiple species of fungi simultaneously and the plant knows exactly where certain benefits are coming from. The host plant can distinguish between good and bad fungal behavior and allocates resources (carbohydrates required by the fungi that we call root exudates) accordingly.
They found these fungi form common mycorrhizal networks that give them access to multiple hosts. They found that when host plants were shaded and thus decreased their carbohydrate allocation, fungi responded by reducing their nutrient share to the plant.
Another paper in the journal Natures Geosciences has found that microbes can mine elements from soils and rocks. This study found that bacteria can extract rare elements from the platinum group elements (platinum, palladium, etc.). The microbes were able to extract these valuable elements and concentrate them. Many of these elements are not found in sufficient concentrations in nature to be mined by conventional techniques.
Another paper from the Imperial College in London has found ancient microbes could use a primitive form of photosynthesis (anoxygenic photosynthesis), which uses molecules such as hydrogen, hydrogen sulfide, or iron as fuel (energy) instead of water.
Researchers from the University of Zurich have found that bacteria can develop a collective memory that can increase their tolerance to stressful events (individual cells have short memories). This is similar to how one transistor may cause an electrical change, but with millions of transistors working together, we have a computer.
In the Journal Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment a recent study found that organic orchards had more beneficial fungi than conventional orchards. It has been known for years now that mycorrhizal fungi help plants receive nutrients, prevent disease, survive drought and other weather extremes. When one uses a chemical fungicide, we lose these important benefits.
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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., 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. 23: HOUSTON ROSE SOCIETY ANNUAL ROSE GARDEN TOUR, 11am-5pm. houstonrose.org
SAT., APR. 23: OVERVIEW OF PERENNIALS by HEIDI SHEESLEY, 8am, & PERENNIAL & PEPPER SALE, 9am-1pm, Campbell Hall, Pasadena Fairgrounds, 7600 Red Bluff, Pasadena. Free. Harris County Master Gardeners at Precinct 2. hcmga.tamu.edu
SAT., APR. 23: WATER, WATER, WATER! CONSERVATION, IRRIGATION, RAINWATER HARVESTING. 9am, Extension Office, 9020 Airport Rd, Conroe. $5. Montgomery County Master Gardener event. 936-539-7824; mcmga.com
SAT., APR. 23: ENCHANTING BUTTERFLY & HUMMINGBIRD GARDENS. 10:15am. Cornelius Nursery, 2233 S. Voss Rd. Free. corneliusnurseries.com/events.
SAT., APR. 23: GARDEN 101: SMALL SPACE SOLUTIONS by DEE NASH, 10AM-12PM, The Arbor Gate, 15635 FM 2920, Tomball, Free. 281-351-8851, arborgate.com
SAT.-SUN, APR. 23-24: HERITAGE GARDENERS 50TH ANNUAL OPEN HOUSE & SPRING GARDEN TOUR, noon-4pm Sat; 1-5pm Sun. Start (plant sale): Marie Workman Garden Center & Briscoe Gardens, 112 W. Spreading Oaks, Friendswood. Garden Center free; tour $10 advance; $12 day of tour. facebook.com/FriendswoodHeritageGardeners
SUN., APR. 24: SPACE CITY HIBISCUS CHAPTER SHOW & SALE. 1-4pm, East Harris County Activity Center, 7340 Spencer Highway, Pasadena. 281-844-4296; spacecityahs.org. SUN, APR 24: THE GREAT GROW PLANT SALE AT ST. THERESA CHURCH BAZAAR, 11am-7pm. 705 St. Theresa Blvd, Sugar Land. Featuring Brookwood Plants. Proceeds support school gardens. info@TheGreatGrow.com SUN., APR. 24: TEN TIPS TO THE GARDENING PATH OF HAPPINESS by DEE NASH, 11AM-1PM, The Arbor Gate, 15635 FM 2920, Tomball, Free. 281-351-8851, arborgate.com TUES., APRIL 26: HARRIS COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS OPEN GARDEN DAY AND SEMINAR: HERBS-GROWING & USING, 9-11:30 am, 3033 Bear Creek Drive. Free. Details: http://hcmga.tamu.edu/Public/docs/2016-hcmga-open-garden-days.pdf 281-855-5600 WED., APR. 27: PEPPERAZI by CYNTHIA GRAHAM, noon-1pm, The Arbor Gate, 15635 FM 2920, Tomball, Free. 281-351-8851, arborgate.com
WED., APRIL 27: MADAGASCAR: EMPHASIS ON SUCCULENT PLANTS by ROSARIO & MICHAEL DOUGLAS, 7:30PM, Metropolitan Multi-Service Center, 1475 West Gray. Free. Houston Cactus & Succulent Society event. hcsstex.orgTHURS., APR. 28: BASIL, BIRDS, BEES, AND BIODIVERSITY by ANN WHEELER, 10AM-12PM, The Arbor Gate, 15635 FM 2920, Tomball, Free. 281-351-8851, arborgate.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., APR. 30: GARDEN CONSERVANCY HOUSTON OPEN DAY & PECKERWOOD GARDEN PLANT SALE, Houston. Garden Conservancy event. 10am-4pm. $7/garden; $40/All Day pass. peckerwoodgarden.org/garden-conservancy-houston-tx-open-day-2/, 979-826-3232; info@peckerwoodgarden.org or frankbrowniii@hotmail.com
SAT., APR. 30: GUIDED TOUR WITH HOUSTON ZOO HORTICULTURE SUPERVISOR by ANNA LAND, 7:30am, Houston Zoo, Hermann Park. Reservations ($30) only: houstonzoo.org/horticulturetour
SAT., APRIL 30: BASIL, BIRDS, BEES, AND BIODIVERSITY by ANN WHEELER, 10AM-12PM, The Arbor Gate, 15635 FM 2920, Tomball, Free. 281-351-8851, arborgate.com
SAT., APR. 30: GALVESTON COUNTY PLANT SWAP, 8am set-up, Johnson Space Center Gilruth Center Pavilion, 2101 NASA Parkway. Free, but before attending: check: freewebs.com/gcplantswap/index.htm
TUE., MAY 3: REVIEW OF CHEMICALS FOR HOME & GARDEN by RON MIZE, 6:30-7:30 pm. AgriLife Extension, Carbide Park, 4102-B Main St. (Hwy 519), La Marque. Galveston County Master Gardener event. Free, but must preregister: galv3@wt.net; http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston
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.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.
SAT., MAY 7: PLAN BEFORE YOU PLANT by KAREN LEHR, 9-11am; AgriLife Extension, Carbide Park, 4102-B Main St. (Hwy 519), La Marque. Galveston County Master Gardener event. Free, but must preregister: galv3@wt.net; http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston
SAT., MAY 7: ART IN THE GARDEN CELEBRATION with FELDER RUSHING, RANDY LEMMON, and HOUSTON LLEW with his SPIRITILES, 10AM-3PM, The Arbor Gate, 15635 FM 2920, Tomball, 281-351-8851, arborgate.com SUN., MAY 8: PECKERWOOD GARDENS 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
SUN., MAY 8): Peckerwood Garden Open Day. Tours 10am-3pm. 20559 FM 359 Road, Hempstead. $10. Garden Conservancy event. Register: 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 WED., MAY 11: GOING VERTICAL - TWINERS, TENDRILS, AND CLINGERS by LINDA B. GAY, 12PM-1PM, The Arbor Gate, 15635 FM 2920, Tomball, Free. 281-351-8851, arborgate.com THURS, MAY 12: PLANTS OF THE BIBLE BY HARRIS COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS. 6:30-8:30 pm. Barbara Bush Library, 6817 Cypresswood Dr., Spring. Free. Details: http://hcmga.tamu.edu/Public/docs/2016-green-thumb.pdf 281-855-5600 THURS., MAY 12: WHAT'S BUGGING YOU, 7:30pm, Cherie Flores Garden Pavilion, 1500 Hermann Dr. Free. Houston Rose Society event. houstonrose.org T HURS., MAY 12: NEW PLANTS FROM PROVEN WINNERS & EUROAMERICAN by Nelson Darden, 10am, Clear Lake Meeting Room, 5001 NASA Parkway. Free. Harris County Master Gardeners at Precinct 2 event. hcmga.tamu.eduFRI., 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
FRI., MAY 13: OLEANDER FESTIVAL KICKOFF LUNCHEON, Viewfinders Terrace, Moody Gardens, Galveston. oleander.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
SAT., MAY 14: ANNUAL OLEANDER FESTIVAL & GRAND OLEANDER SALE, 10am-4pm, Betty Head Oleander Garden Park, Free. International Oleander Society event. oleander.org SAT., MAY 14: HOUSTON HEMEROCALLIS SOCIETY AND HOUSTON AREA DAYLILY SOCIETY FLOWER SHOW: Enjoying Life in Our Gardens, 1-3pm; and HOUSTON HEMEROCALLIS SOCIETY DAYLILY SALE, 10am-3pm; Gethsemane Lutheran Church, 4040 Watonga. Free. Houston Hemerocallis Society and Houston Area Daylily Society event. www.ofts.com/hhs/
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 M ON., MAY 16: OPEN GARDEN DAY & PLANT SALE, 8:30-11am, Genoa Friendship Garden, 1202 Genoa Red Bluff Rd. Free. Harris County Master Gardeners at Precinct 2. hcmga.tamu.edu TUES., MAY 17; PLANTS OF THE BIBLE BY HARRIS COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS. 6:30-8:30 pm, Spring Branch Memorial Library, 930 Corbindale. Free. Details: http://hcmga.tamu.edu/Public/docs/2016-green-thumb.pdf 281-855-5600 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., MAY 21: SPACE CITY HIBISCUS CHAPTER SHOW & SALE, 1-4pm, Nessler Center, Wings of Heritage Room, 2010 5th Avenue, Texas City. 281-844-4296; spacecityahs.org. SAT, MAY 21; PLANTS OF THE BIBLE BY HARRIS COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS. 10am-Noon. Maude Smith Marks Library, 1815 Westgreen Blvd., Katy. Free. Details: hcmga.tamu.edu/Public/docs/2016-green-thumb.pdf ;281-855-5600
SUN., MAY 22: CELEBRATION OF DAYLILIES OPEN HOUSE, 9am-5 pm, Payne's in the Grass Daylily Farm, 2130 O'Day Road, Pearland, Free, 281-485-3821, cell 713-419-6661. Paynesinthegrassdaylilyfarm.com
TUES., MAY 24: HARRIS COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS OPEN GARDEN DAY AND SEMINAR: PLANTS OF THE BIBLE, 9-11:30 am, 3033 Bear Creek Drive. Free. Details: http://hcmga.tamu.edu/Public/docs/2016-hcmga-open-garden-days.pdf 281-855-5600
TUES., MAY 31: BAMBOO USES IN THE LANDSCAPE, by TISH REUSTLE, 6:30pm. AgriLife Extension, Carbide Park, 4102-B Main St. (Hwy 519), La Marque. Galveston County Master Gardener event. Free, but must preregister: galv3@wt.net; http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston
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. & 9am-4pm Sat., 4th Floor, 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
SAT, SEPT 24: HARRIS COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS FALL LANDSCAPE PLANTS, PERENNIALS & VEGETABLES SALE. Overview 8am; sale: 9am-1pm. 3033 Bear Creek Drive. Free. hcmga.tamu.edu/Public/pubSales.aspx; 281-855-5600
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.
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 pomegranates, pears and selected antique roses.
(Offer good for retail purchases of this product (101 Sherbrook Circle, Conroe TX). Expires 04/31/16.
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