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Dear Friends,
Here is the 170th issue of our weekly gardening newsletter for Houston, the Gulf Coast and beyond. We really appreciate all of our readers hanging in there with us, sharing stories and inspiring us in so many ways.
Thanks so much!
This newsletter is a project of The Lazy Gardener, Brenda Beust Smith, John Ferguson and Mark Bowen (John and Mark are with Nature's Way Resources). We also have a great supporting cast of contributing writers and technical specialists who will chime in and tweak away regularly. We would love to keep receiving your input on this newsletter . . . . comments . . . . suggestions . . . . questions. . . .Email your thoughts to: [email protected]. Thanks so much for your interest.
Please or sign yourself up to receive this newsletter by clicking the "Join Our Mailing List" link just below. We will never sell or share our mailing list to protect the privacy of our subscribers.
Enjoy!
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 "CREATING NEW FLOWER COLORS IN WINTER HARDY HIBISCUS"!
#1 -- Rare winter-hardy multi-colored hibiscus experimental step, a "zebra" or "batik" type of coloration
in hibiscus (similar to that achieved in tulips and irises). #2 -- (16565 GR) A relative of "Blue Angel" (2012),
Dr. Dariusz Malinowski and his team's first bluish-blooming hybrid, this "Blue Angel" has a sky-blue flower color
and very compact growth habit. #3 -- Illusive blue and maroon colors in one bloom, another dual in a winter-hardy hibiscus.
#4 -- (15280 GR) Rare lavender color, a by-product of the blue-flowering research is totally outstanding in its own right.
Last week's column dealt in part with the steadily increasing trend toward utilizing more locally-native plants in landscapes. This week, a chance to step up a level, to see how sophisticated techniques in the hands truly talented, dedicated horticulturists eventually benefit us all - and the chance we all have to learn more.
It should come as no surprise to regular readers that I am partial not only to wildflower in general, but in particular those who embrace our Gulf coastal prairie regions, including the wild hibiscus that thrive not only on Bolivar Peninsula and adjoining environs, but all the way across the South to East Coast. This is Hibiscus moscheutos, below, and all it's many "cousins."
It was with special delight, decades ago, when I met Georgia Bost, center above, whose comfortable home on Westview in Spring Branch was a mecca of sorts for advocates of these wild hibiscus, or mallows, as they were called back then. Georgia was fascinated with them not only for their beauty (and she did hybridize with that goal in mind) but mainly for exploring their fascinating medicinal uses.
Life often delights us with unexpected coincidences. Next month, on Sept. 16, the Greater Houston Plant Conference will feature, among other notable area horticulturists, Dr. Dariusz Malinowski, speaking on the exciting development of a blue hibiscus in his research on winter hardy varieties of this summer favorite.
That topic alone is fascinating enough (see Spotlight below!). But it turns out he often quotes my old friend Georgia Bost who, unbeknownst to me, had expanded her research to include winter-hardy varieties. So this column is a double delight to write.
In our Spotlight article below, Dr. Malinowski gives us a preview of his valuable research. Who wouldn't love hibiscus that bloom outdoors all winter as well as the rest of the year? Enjoy the beautiful blooms pictured above and below, but also appreciate the years involved in achieving these colors, patterns and shapes. The captions run a little long but give details to which most of us are seldom privvy.
Dr. Malinowski is a research horticulturist, plant physiologist and agroecologist for Texas A&M AgriLife, one of the cosponsors of this "a look at the future" public event. Also on the agenda Linda Gay on new tropical plants; Buddy Lee on Encore azaleas and other plant innovations, Dr. Steve George on Earth-Kind plant research and Paul Winski on Harris County's ornamental trials. You'll probably see your favorite local nurseryman there but it's open to anyone. If you have questions about any of these particular hibiscus pictured, email: [email protected]. But be sure you include the attached number. As most of these are still in trials, they don't have "names" yet.Fri., Sept. 16: Greater Houston Plant Conference, 8am-3:30pm, Trini Mendenhall Community Center, 1414 Wirt Rd. $60. Register: http://ow.ly/HHib302HqQ7
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If you're into the gardening treasures of the past, here's one to investigate: Mother Earth News' " Heirloom Gardener." Sign up for this free, organic resource: motherearthnews.com
Brenda's column in the free, emailed LAZY GARDENER & FRIENDS HOUSTON GARDEN NEWSLETTER
is based on her 45+ years as the Houston Chronicle's Lazy Gardener.
Favors? 1. If I don't respond to your email, send it again!
2. Always check the LG&F Newsletter*
Calendar to make sure your submitted event is listed! If not, let me know!
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#5 -- Folly Red" (15353-2N) is one of the most beautiful shades of red in this line where petals curve to create a "double" impression (with more than the regular five petals). #6 -- (11418-1) Almost black veins create dramatic contrast to the burgundy red petal color in this true masterpiece, one of their earliest creations. #7 -- (10552-2) A true success in a breeding goal to create a winter-hardy hibiscus that resembles blooms of the tropical Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, this features anthers at the top of the stigma, contrasting with the regular position of anthers at the bottom of the stigma in winter-hardy hibiscus. #8 -- Typical of new color and shape combinations so popular with gardeners, this hybrid combines traits of dual-colored flowers with textured 
CREATING NEW FLOWER COLORS
IN WINTER-HARDY HIBISCUS
By DR. DARIUSZ MALINOWSKI
Professor, Texas A&M AgriLife Research
Winter-hardy hibiscus (H. moscheutos) is a highly sought ornamental plant with tropical looking flowers that may reach a diameter of 12 inches.
In contrast to its distant relative, the tropical hibiscus (H. rosa-sinensis), winter-hardy hibiscus can be grown outside in zones 4 through 9 all year long. The stems will die with the first frost, but the rootstock will survive through winter and re-sprout again in spring. Commercially available cultivars have a limited choice of flower colors (white, pink, and red) and flower shapes. In the past few years, there has been increasing demand by gardeners for new cultivars with colorful flowers.
To meet these expectations, we initiated a winter-hardy hibiscus breeding project at Texas AgriLife Research (Dariusz Malinowski and William Pinchak) in collaboration with Texas Foundation Seed Service (Steve Brown) in 2010. Our goal was to create new flower pigments by maximizing genetic variability in this species. By multiple cycles of hybridization among several winter-hardy hibiscus species and induced mutations, we have developed a number of hybrids with magenta, blue, maroon, salmon, all shades of red and pink, and dual-colored flowers, and a range of new, interesting flower shapes.
Some of the colors, like blue and salmon, have not been previously reported in this species. To date (2015), we have disclosed over 180 unique hybrids to the TAMU Commercialization Office and about 60 of them are being evaluated by commercial partners in the USA and Europe. The first set of about 10 new cultivars should be available to the public in 2018.
In contrast to gardeners who are mostly interested in new flower colors and shapes, commercial plant producers require us to breed winter-hardy hibiscus plants with certain growth characteristics, i.e., small, compact plants with pre-determined architecture, leaf shapes and colors, prolific bloomers, and resistance to diseases (i.e., root rot).
Meeting the requirements of both the garden enthusiasts and commercial producers often delays introduction of new cultivars on the market. The next frontier in our breeding program is to develop winter-hardy hibiscus hybrids with yellow and orange flowers.
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Contact Dariusz Malinowski at [email protected] or visit with him at:
Fri., Sept. 16: Greater Houston Plant Conference, 8am-3:30pm, Trini Mendenhall Community Center, 1414 Wirt Rd. $60. Register: http://ow.ly/HHib302HqQ7
#9 -- 'Robert Brown' (2012) is the first example of a chimera in winter-hardy hibiscus, where parental genomes have
not fused completely and work quite independently from each other in determining flower color. On the same plant we can see flowers like the one pictured here, but also flowers with one or two petals white and the rest coral or a total opposite color combination with white petals and coral stripes. The pattern of the stripes is unique to each new flower on the plant. #10 -- (11574-1) Always a hybridizing conundrum: incredible colors and flower size (12") but a tendency to prostrate growth challenging for commercial growers. #11 -- (15173 GR). This 2015-achieved salmon or light coral color was the second break-through (after the blue-colored hibiscuses) achieved by Dr. Malinowski and his team in the winter-hardy hibiscus arena. This line will be used to develop orange-colored flowers. #12 -- (15753-3) This pink-salmon line has potential to develop an orange winter-hardy hibiscus.
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JOHN'S CORNER
NEWS FROM THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF SOIL AND PLANTS
For years, experienced gardeners swore that when they talk to their plants they grew better. This was confirmed by research done at Bell labs many years ago. The August 2016 issue of American Nurseryman had an article on talking to your plants. The researchers divided the plants into three groups. Group 1 had silence, group two had compliments and encouragement, and group three has insults. The group in silence performed the worst. The two groups that experienced sound did the same whether it was good or bad and grew far better.
A study in the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene by researchers at Texas A&M and Emory University's found that West Nile Virus around Atlanta was very low. When mosquitoes fed on Robins it helped spread the disease. However when mosquitoes fed on Cardinals it suppressed the disease. Other birds have also been found that are "super suppressors" including gray catbirds and brown thrashers. There was less evidence of the disease in old growth forests. More reasons to protect our forests and practice habitat gardening to attract cardinals. A great book on the subject is:
"Bringing Nature Home - How You Can Sustain Wildlife with Native Plants"
by Douglass W. Tallamy, Timber Press, 2014, Edith Printing,
ISBN-13: 978-0-88192-992-8
A 26-year study in Scientific Reports from the University of Nottingham has found that the sperm quality of dogs has decreased significantly. They found environmental contaminates were the cause. The same chemicals were found in some brands of dog food. This adds insight to the decline in quality of human semen.
Another study in Scientific Reports (via Science News Daily) found that bacteria in the soil can pump electrons (energy) directly into solid magnetic minerals. This offers an exciting understanding of how microbes are able to access substances for growth and respiration over long distances.
In the August 10, 2016 newsletter by Mercola.com they reported that common lawn and garden chemicals interfere with fertility, cause birth defects, endocrine disruption, neurological disorders and cancer. Note: These same chemicals are found at high levels on GMO food crops at many times the levels of conventionally grown crops. This is another reason to buy organic whenever possible, and to garden organically.
A study by the University of California Berkeley found that pregnant mothers whom live within one kilometer (about 0.6 miles) of a field sprayed where certain pesticides were used experienced children with lower IQ's.
All gardeners know that sunflowers face east in the mornings and west in the afternoon. Researchers at the University of California have discovered one of the reasons why this occurs. They found that when the flowers faced the sun there were five times more insect pollinators visiting the flowers. Apparently, insects like the warmer flowers.
Another study reported in Science News Daily found that the toxic blue-green algae grows faster at high levels of CO2 allowing them to out compete other plant life in the water. The toxic algae bloom in Lake Erie has been found to be caused by the spraying of glyphosate (Round-Up) on crops. In the presence of iron oxide-hydroxide minerals it he soil the phosphorous is released poisoning the waterways with this chemical feeding the algae bloom.
A study in the medical Journal "The Lancet", has now classified fluoride as a neurotoxin that has a negative effect of brain development along with extremely toxic compounds like arsenic, lead and mercury.
In the Journal of Cancer, another study by St Louis University has found that curcumin from the spice turmeric prevented colon cancer cells from multiplying and spreading. They found that silymarin a component of milk thistle was even more effective when combined. As we learn more of the wonderful world of plants, it reminds me of a couple bible verses:
Proverbs 3:19 (NIV) By wisdom the LORD laid the earth's foundations, by understanding he set the heavens in place; 20) by his knowledge the deeps were divided, and the clouds let drop the dew.
Job 12:7 (NIV) "But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; 8) or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish of the sea inform you.
A study by Food Safety News found that 75% of all honey sold in stores contained no honey at all! Most of the rest of the products was filtered to remove all the bee pollen that is rich in proteins, vitamins, lipids, minerals, enzymes, and carbohydrates. These are all the nutrients that make raw unfiltered honey a super food for our health. Buy honey from local beekeepers and they can be found at many of the farmers markets in the area.
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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: [email protected]
If we inspire you to attend any of these events, please let them know you heard about it in
THE LAZY GARDENER & FRIENDS HOUSTON GARDEN NEWSLETTER
SAT., AUG 27: PECKERWOOD GARDEN OPEN DAY, 10am-2pm tours, 20559 FM 359 Road, Hempstead. $10. Garden Conservancy event. peckerwoodgarden.org; 979-826-3232; [email protected]SAT., AUG. 27: ARRANGING GARDEN FLOWERS, by JACKIE AUER, 9-11am, & GROWING STRAWBERRIES by ROBERT MARSHALL, 1-2pm, AgriLife Extension Building, Carbide Park, 4102-B Main St. (Hwy 519), La Marque. Galveston County Master Gardener event. Free; register: [email protected]. aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston/ . WED., AUG 31: CHILDREN'S PHOTO & PRESCHOOL PICTURE CONTESTS ENTRY DEADLINE. Matzke Butterfly Garden competition. Contest rules: matzkebutterflygarden.blogspot.com
THUR. SEPT. 01: The Soil Food Web" by John Ferguson, 2 PM, Bentwater Garden Club, Montgomery County Library at I-45 and FM 2854, Sherrie Wagoner, 936-697-2188
THURS., SEPT. 1: AROMATHERAPY & FRAGRANCE IN THE GARDEN by LUCIA BETTLER, 9:30am, Municipal Utility Building #81, 805 Hidden Canyon Drive, Katy. Free. Nottingham Country Garden Club event. nottinghamgardenclub.org
MON., SEPT/ 5: ANYONE CAN GROW ROSES, by JOHN JONS, 2- 3pm, The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Rienzi, 1406 Kirby Drive. $10. 713-639-7800, mfah.org/visit/rienzi/ THURS., SEPT. 8: GROWING PALMS by O. J. MILLER, 10am, Clear Lake Meeting Room, 5001 Nasa Parkway, Seabrook. Free. Harris County Pct. 2 event. hcmga.tamu.edu
THURS., SEPT. 8: ROSES OF THE DUTCH MASTERS by DR. JIM JOHNSON, 7:30pm, Cherie Flores Garden Pavilion, 1500 Hermann Dr. Free. Houston Rose Society event. houstonrose.org
FRI., SEPT. 10: THE EVIL HOUSE OF ROSES: WHY JOSEPHINE BONAPARTE IS ALIVE IN YOUR GARDEN by DR. MARTIN STONE, 10am, White Oak Convention Center, 7603 Antoine. Free. Houston Federation of Garden Clubs event. houstonfederationgardenclubs.org . SAT., SEP. 10: KITCHEN GARDENING, by MARY DEMENY, 9-11:30am, & COMPOSTING by JIM GILLIAM, 1-2pm, AgriLife Extensio Building, Carbide Park, 4102-B Main St. (Hwy 519), La Marque. Galveston County Master Gardener event. Free Register: [email protected]. aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston/. SAT., SEPT. 10: 2016 (18th ANNUAL) WILDSCAPES WORKSHOP, 8am-3:30pm, Houston Community College-West Loop Center, 5601 W. Loop S. $40 / $50 after Aug. 27. Native Plant Society of Texas-Houston event. npsot.org/wp/houston/wildscapes-workshop/
SAT. SEPT. 10: KEYHOLE GARDENS MADE EASY by ANGELA CHANDLER, Garden Academy. 10-12pm, Arbor Gate,15635 FM 2920,Tomball, TX. 281-351-8851. Free; [email protected]
TUESDAYS, SEPT. 13-NOV. 15: TEXAS GULF COAST GARDENER TIER II - OUTSTANDING LANDSCAPE PLANTS, 9am-3pm, Mercer Botanic Gardens, 22306 Aldine Westfield Rd, Humble. $225. Register: hcp4.net/Community/Parks/Mercer; [email protected]
WED. SEPT. 14: "Backyard and Small Scale Composting" by John Ferguson, Water Smart Landscaping Workshop, 9-12 AM, Sheldon Lake State Park, Register online today at watersmart.tamu.edu
WED., SEPT. 14: BUILD A HABITAT & THEY WILL COME!, noon-2 pm, Mercer Botanic Gardens, 22306 Aldine Westfield Rd, Humble. Free. Register: 713-274-4160
WED. SEPT. 14: EASY EDIBLES by JUDY BARRETT, noon-1pm, Arbor Gate, 15635 FM 2920, Tomball. 281-351-8851. Free; register: arborgate.com
THURS. SEPT. 15: BEYOND BUTTERFLIES: PLANTING A POLLINATOR GARDEN by NANCY GREIG, Cockrell Butterfly Center, 10-12pm, Arbor Gate, 15635 FM 2920, Tomball. 281-351-8851. Free; register: arborgate.com
THURSDAYS, SEPT. 15-NOV. 17: TEXAS GULF COAST GARDENER TIER I - INTRO TO GARDENING, 9 am-3 pm, Mercer Botanic Gardens, 22306 Aldine Westfield Rd, Humble. $225. Register: hcp4.net/Community/Parks/Mercer; [email protected]FRI., SEPT. 16: FRI., SEPT. 16: GREATER HOUSTON PLANT CONFERENCE 2016, 8am-4pm, Trini Mendenhall Community Center, 1414 Wirt Rd. $60. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. Details/registrationSAT., SEPT. 17: A PASSION FOR PLUMERIA by LORETTA OSTEEN, 1-3pm, Galveston County AgriLife Extension Building, Carbide Park, 4102-B Main St. (Hwy 519), La Marque. Free. Register: [email protected]. aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston/ .
SAT., SEPT. 17: GARDENING IN SMALL SPACES by SKIP RICHTER, 10-noon, Arbor Gate,15635 FM 2910, Tomball. 281-351-8851. Free; register: arborgate.com
SUN. SEPT. 18: BEE FORUM by ANGELA CHANDLER, MATT AND KELLY BRANTLEY, 11-1pm, Arbor Gate, 15635 FM 2920, Tomball. 281-351-8851. Free; register: arborgate.com
MON., SEPT. 19: OPEN GARDEN DAY & PLANT SALE, 8:30-11am, Genoa Friendship Garden, 1202 Genoa Red Bluff Rd. Free. Harris County Master Gardener Pct. 2 event. hcmga.tamu.edu
SAT., SEP 24: PECKERWOOD GARDEN OPEN DAY, 10am-2pm tours, 20559 FM 359 Road, Hempstead. $10. Garden Conservancy event. peckerwoodgarden.org; 979-826-3232; [email protected]
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SAT., SEPT. 24: T-BUD GRAFTING HANDS-ON WORKSHOP by SUE JEFFCO, 9-11:30am, & UNUSUAL EDIBLE PLANTS by ED NASPINSKI, 1-2pm, AgriLife Extension Building, Carbide Park, 4102-B Main St. (Hwy 519), La Marque. Galveston County Master Gardener event. Free. Register: [email protected]; http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston/.
SAT., SEPT. 24: AUTUMN PLANT SALE & MARKET, 9 am - 3 pm, Mercer Botanic Gardens, 22306 Aldine Westfield Rd, Humble. Free event. 713-274-4160
SAT. SEPT. 24: FALL GARDENING: THE BEST VEGGIE GARDEN OF ALL by BILL ADAMS & TOM LEROY, 10-noon, Arbor Gate, 15635 FM 2920, Tomball. 281-351-8851. Free; register: arborgate.com WED. SEPT 28: WINTERY BREWS FROM THE GARDEN by CYNTHIA GRAHAM, RN, BSN, 12-1pm, Arbor Gate, 15635 FM 2920, Tomball. 281-351-8851. Free; register: arborgate.comSAT., OCT 1 : PECKERWOOD INSIDER'S TOUR, 10am and 6pm, 20559 FM 359 Road, Hempstead. Garden Conservancy event. $15. Register: peckerwoodgarden.org, 979-826-3232; [email protected]
SAT., OCT. 1: FALL FEST - BNP 30th ANNIVERSARY, 11am-4pm, Buchanan's Native Plants, 611 E 11th. Free. 713-861-5702; buchanansplants.com/events
THURS.OCT.6: GET YOUR GREENS ON - ASIAN STYLE!! by Jeremy Kollaus and Chef Chris Crowder, 10-12pm, Arbor Gate,15635 FM 2920 Tomball. 281-351-8851. Free; register: arborgate.com
THURS., OCT. 6: FENG SHUI IN THE GARDEN: QUICK & EASY SUCCESS by KATHERINE ASHBEE, 9:30am, Municipal Utility Building #81, 805 Hidden Canyon Dr., Katy. Free. Nottingham Country Garden Club Program. nottinghamgardenclub.orgSAT., OCT. 8: PECKERWOOD GARDEN OPEN DAY, 10am-2pm tours, 20559 FM 359 Road, Hempstead. $10. Garden Conservancy event. peckerwoodgarden.org 979-826-3232; [email protected]
SAT., OCT 8: BULBMANIA!, by DODIE JACKSON, 9-10 am, & GARDENING FOR JEWELS...HUMMINGBIRDS by DEBORAH REPASZ, 1-2:30 pm. AgriLife Extension, Carbide Park, 4102 Main, La Marque. Galv eston County Master Gardener events. Free, but pre-register: [email protected], 281-534-3413, aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston
SAT. OCT.8: BULBS AND BUDDIES by Chris Wiesinger Southern Bulb Company and Heidi Sheesley of Treesearch Farms, 10-12pm, Arbor Gate, 15635 FM 2920, Tomball. 281-351-8851. Free; register: arborgate.com
SUN. OCT.9: INDOOR COMPOSTING-OUTDOOR SUCCESS by ANGELA CHANDLER of The Garden Academy, 11-1pm, Arbor Gate,15635 FM 2920. arborgate.com
TUES., OCT. 11: GROWING PLUMERIAS, 7:30pm, Cherie Flores Garden Pavilion, Hermann Park Conservancy, 1500 Hermann Dr. Free. Plumeria Society of America event. theplumeriasociety.org
WED. OCT. 12: DIGGING OUT OF DEPRESSION by CYNTHIA GRAHAM, RN, BSN, 12-1pm, Arbor Gate, 15635 FM 2920, Tomball. 281-351-8851. Free; register: arborgate.com
THURS., OCT. 13: 2016 BULB & PLANT MART'S EARLY BIRD SHOPPING PARTY 4:30-7pm, St. John the Divine Church, 2450 River Oaks Blvd. $20. Garden Club of Houston. gchouston.org
FRI.-SAT., OCT. 14-15: 2016 BULB & PLANT MART, 9am-5pm Fri., 9am-2pm Sat., St. John the Divine, 2450 River Oaks Blvd. Free admission/ tax free shopping. Garden Club of Houston event. gchouston.org
THURS. OCT.13: ATTRACTING BLUEBIRDS TO YOUR GARDEN by LINDA CRUM, 10-noon, Arbor Gate 15635 FM 2910, Tomball. 281-351-8851. Free; register: arborgate.com
FRI., OCT. 14: EMPOWERING MONARCH HEROES COMMUNITY BY COMMUNITY by MARYA FOWLER, 10am, White Oak Convention Center, 7603 Antoine. Free. Houston Federation of Garden Clubs event. houstonfederationgardenclubs.org
SAT., OCT. 15: GALVESTON COUNTY MASTER GARDENER ANNUAL FALL SALE. 8am-SALE PREVIEW by JOHN JONS; 9am-1pm-PLANT SALE, Galveston County Fair Grounds, Jack Brooks Park - Rodeo Arena, Hwy 6 at Jack Brooks Road, Hitchcock.
SAT., OCT.15: EDIBLE FLOWERS by HENRY FLOWERS of Festival Hill Gardens, 10am-12pm, Arbor Gate, 15635 FM 2920, Tomball. 281-351-8851. Free; register: arborgate.com
SUN., OCT.16: FLOWERING HERBS AND FESTIVE TREATS by ANN WHEELER and CHRIS CROWDER 11am-1pm, Arbor Gate, 15635 FM 2920, Tomball. 281-351-8851. Free; register: arborgate.com
THURS., OCT. 20: HAPPY HERBAL NEW YEAR by Ann Wheeler of Log House Herbs, 10am-noon, Arbor Gate, 15635 FM 2920, Tomball. 281-351-8851. Free; register: arborgate.com
FRI.-SUN., OCT. 21-23: AMERICAN ROSE SOCIETY SOUTH CENTRAL DISTRICT 2016 FALL ROSE SHOW & CONVENTION, Pasadena Convention Center, 7902 Fairmont Parkway. houstonrose.org.
SAT., OCT. 22: GUNTERS HEIRLOOM VEGETABLES by PAM AND LEAH GUNTER 9am-1pm, & THE FALL AND WINTER FRUIT GARDENER by ANGELA, 10am-noon, Arbor Gate, 15635 FM 2920, Tomball. 281-351-8851. Free; register: arborgate.com
WED OCT 26: FALL AND WINTER HABITAT GARDENING by DIANA FOSS, Houston Urban Biologist, noon-1pm, Arbor Gate, 15635 FM 2920, Tomball. 281-351-8851. Free; register: arborgate.com
SAT., OCT. 29: GULF COAST MEAD FESTIVAL, LUCY-STYLE GRAPE STOMP COMPETITION & GRAPE GROWING DISCUSSIONS, 10am-5pm, Frascone Winery, 308 Bayside Dr., Anahuac. Free. Frascone Winery, Mystic Oak Meadery, Bentley Bees & Crane Meadows event. Facebook: Gulf Coast Mead Festival. SAT., OCT. 29: GARDEN TO VASE by PAT HERMES ,10am-noon, Arbor Gate, 15635 FM 2920, Tomball. 281-351-8851. Free; register: arborgate.comSAT., NOV 5 : PECKERWOOD INSIDER'S TOUR, 10am & 6pm, 20559 FM 359 Road, Hempstead. Garden Conservancy event. $15. Register: peckerwoodgarden.org. 979-826-3232; [email protected] FRI., NOV. 11: FLOWER SHOW - JUDGING DEMYSTIFIED by SUZANNE MILSTEAD & NELL SHIMEK, 10am, & TRAFFIC FLOW, 1pm, White Oak Convention Center, 7603 Antoine. Free. Houston Federation of Garden Clubs event. houstonfederationgardenclubs.orgSAT., NOV 12: PECKERWOOD GARDEN OPEN DAY, 10am-2pm tours, 20559 FM 359 Road, Hempstead. $10. Garden Conservancy event. peckerwoodgarden.org 979-826-3232; [email protected]
SAT., DEC 3 : PECKERWOOD INSIDER'S TOUR, 10am and 6pm, 20559 FM 359 Road, Hempstead. Garden Conservancy event. $15. Register: peckerwoodgarden.org, 979-826-3232; [email protected] SAT. DEC. 3: THE ARBOR GATE CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE, 2-6pm, 15635 FM 2920, Tomball. 281-351-8851. Free; register: arborgate.comFRI., DEC. 9: HOLLY-JUJAH by JIM JOHNSON, 10am, White Oak Convention Center, 7603 Antoine. $10 advance sale only. Houston Federation of Garden Clubs event. houstonfederationgardenclubs.org
SAT., DEC 17: PECKERWOOD GARDEN OPEN DAY, 10am-2pm tours, 20559 FM 359 Road, Hempstead. $10. Garden Conservancy event. peckerwoodgarden.org, 979-826-3232; [email protected] FRI., JAN. 13: PENNY WISE / POUND FOOLISH: WHEN & WHY TO HIRE A LANDSCAPE PROFESSIONAL by RITA HODGE, 10am, White Oak Convention Center, 7603 Antoine. Free. Houston Federation of Garden Clubs event. houstonfederationgardenclubs.orgFRI., FEB.10: FLORAL DESIGN INSPIRED BY ART by HOUSTON DESIGNING WOMEN, 10am, White Oak Convention Center, 7603 Antoine. Free. Houston Federation of Garden Clubs event. houstonfederationgardenclubs.org
If we inspire you to attend any of these events,
please let them know you 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: [email protected]
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THIS NEWSLETTER IS MADE
POSSIBLE BY THE FOLLOWING SPONSORS |
 ADOPTABLE DOG OF THE WEEK
DIESEL
Diesel was abandoned by his owners when they moved, and he ended up at Montgomery County Animal Shelter.
Diesel is a American Blue Pittbull Mix and is thought to be about 10 years old.
He knows basic commands- is housebroken and crate trained- loves everyone he meets... Loves bones, treats and squeaky toys- even likes a nice jog. He has a good amount of life to live and would love to have somewhere to spend it. If he has siblings- they have to be female.
Diesel loves to play and socialize and is so much fun to have around.
He is fixed and has all of his shots.
If interested in adopting Diesel, please reply to this newsletter and type "Diesel" in the subject line. Diesel is not at the shelter currently. He is in foster care. |
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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 the Bayou 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, apples, asian pears and selected antique roses.
(Offer good for retail purchases of this product (101 Sherbrook Circle, Conroe TX). Expires 09/15/16.
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