September 16, 2016

Dear Friends,

Here is the 173rd 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!
 

 

By BRENDA BEUST SMITH
   
 
      If you look the right way,
      You can see the whole world in a garden 
            -- Frances Hodgeon Burnett, "The Secret Garden"

 
Fall is a popular time for garden tours along the Gulf Coast. After all, this is one of our prettiest bloom periods.

Garden tours should be a great learning experience for all of us. The most important accessory to take with you? A pen and notepad! Along with your cellphone camera, of course.

Gardens on tours always have docents on hand to identify flowers you may not know. But the most valuable benefit should be finding solutions to your own gardening or landscaping challenges.
After you've taken in, and enjoyed, an overall vista, notice:
  • small vignettes,
  • little corners,
  • interesting solutions to common challenges,
  • ways the gardener has successfully camouflage less-than-attractive views or unsightly functional necessities.
Check out the successful plant combinations - maybe not so much the actual plants as in the coordination of colors, or the way, perhaps, a background of greenery creates a beautiful frame for a focal point of color. Or how particular colors work so very well together.

What immediately draws you eye when you walk into the garden? Do you like it? Or not? In either case, why?

Inspired to host a garden tour in your own neighborhood or community? Putting on a successful garden tour is a great way to meet neighbors, help newcomers learn which plants do best in your area and raise some funds for community projects.

They're especially helpful in areas with lots of newcomers, especially those from points afar (like Dallas!), where planting seasons may be totally different from ours.

League City Garden Club will open the doors for its 6th annual Through the Garden Gate" Garden Walk on Saturday, Sept. 24. And if there's one thing members have learned along the way, it's that planning ahead is essential element of success.

Below, LCGC's Linda Garren-McKillip & Leslie Wong share some thoughts to get you started. But first . . .
 
Since Linda & Leslie are bound to whet your appetite for seeding some new plants, take some tips from Montgomery County Master Gardener Ben Van de Poll. Ben will be one of a host of speakers along with great vendors at the big free Saturday, Sept. 24, Woodlands Landscaping Solutions & Plant Sale.Ben, who has incredible experience in this arena, warns these are the: 

TOP TEN MISTAKES GARDENERS MAKE WHEN PLANTING FROM SEED
 
10.  Planting root-bound or flowering plants
  9.   Not rotating crops
  8. Overwatering
  7.  Inadequate mulching of site
  6.  Not reading and following directions on labels for fertilizers and other materials
  5.  Failure to monitor plant development for disease control, watering or fertilizing
  4.  Spacing plants too closely.
  3.  Failure to top dress with compost
  2.   Wrong site selection (not enough sun)
 
...and the number one mistake that gardeners make:
 
1.      Lack of planning your vegetable project for maturity dates, possible frost dates, too early or too late seed plantings.
 
Listen up, you Seed Planters!. Ben will have even more tips during the big free Saturday, Sept. 24, Woodlands Landscaping Solutions & Plant Sale (9am-noon)
The Woodlands Township, Parks, Recreation & Environmental Services Facility, 8203 Millennium Forest Dr., The Woodlands. 281-210-3800. Details. 
 
 
*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.
LG&F GARDEN CALENDAR EVENTS submitted in our EXACT format will be copied & added to calendar right away. 
Any necessary re-typing/reformatting may take couple of weeks. See calendar for format. Always check the LG&F Newsletter* Calendar to make sure your submitted event is listed! If not, let me know!  Send to: lazygardener@sbcglobal.net 
* * *
THE INS AND OUTS OF PUTTING
TOGETHER A GARDEN TOUR
By LINDA GARREN-MCKILLIP & LESLIE WONG
League City Garden Club
www.leaguecitygardenclub.org
Who doesn't love to go on a garden tour? How much fun is it to walk through someone's lush landscaping featuring unique garden gates, whimsical signs, bubbling waterfalls, mosaics, and a profusion of botanical wonders that are functional as well as beautiful?

Ever wonder how your group could put together a fundraiser garden walk?

There are several ways to approach it:

* Perhaps you already award a residential Yard of the Month. That's a great beginning because you have already networked with friends, family and neighbors to identify great looking yards
.
* Starting from scratch? Set out on a driving mission of spotting gorgeousness.

* Grab a buddy to go with you so hidden gems won't be overlooked. It doesn't have to be grounds fit for a palace to tantalize the eye. And sometimes less really is more.

* Another approach: look for unusual plants. Trends in plant material you see facing the street will most likely lead to breath-taking collections through that lovely garden gate.

If what you are looking at makes you wonder what else there is to see, don't pass up an open gate. That's like putting up a sign "Gardener at Work."

* Most gardeners always love to talk about what's going on in their gardens even if sweat is dripping off the ends of their dirt-smeared noses.

* Think about representing all parts of your city or community with your choices. East side, west side, old historic, new, suburbs.

* Don't get depressed if homeowners turn you down. You might want to have a couple of back ups for when you have a "back-out".

* Will your event be "Rain or shine" or have a rain date? One-day or 2 days?

* Either at the beginning or after you've lined up a couple homeowners and their gardens; choose a theme that ties them together, maybe something like "Hidden Treasures" so it can be used in the promotional materials and press releases.

* If you are already an organization that offers events to the public, you already know that getting your event publicized is priceless.

* And if you are a 501 (3) c, you know finding newsletters like this one is a blessing to get your event known to the public.

A Garden Walk event is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors, meet your neighbors and observe the beauty within your city or community.
* * *
Have more questions?  Lots of folks will be on hand to answer them at the big .  . .

SAT., SEPT. 24:  LEAGUE CITY GARDEN WALK - "THROUGH THE GARDEN GATE",  
10am -4pm; Tickets $15 at Nana's Attic, 501 East Main, League City,   
or online at leaguecitygardenclub.org.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
JOHN'S CORNER 
 
BOOK REVIEW
There was an article in this week's Houston Chronicle (9/13/2016) on how the sugar industry paid scientists to falsify data and research that showed a link between sugar and heart disease and to blame fats instead. These falsified studies have shaped medical research for over five decades (imagine for fifty plus years). One of the scientists, whom falsified data, was rewarded with a posting to become the head of nutrition for the USDA where he helped draft nutritional guidelines. I wonder how many millions of people died pre-matures deaths and others that suffered needlessly so a few could line their pockets with money. The other aspect was the financial cost to society as tens of billions (trillions?) were spend on healthcare that could have been avoided.
That brings me to a new book that I just finished reading called:
Science For Sale: How the US Government Uses Powerful Corporations and Leading Universities to Support Government Policies, Silence Top Scientists, Jeopardize Our Health, and Protect Corporate Profits, by David Lewis, PhD., Skyhorse Publishing, 2014, ISBN: 978-1-62636-071-6
Science for Sale: How the US Government Uses Powerful Corporations and Leading Universities to Support Government Policies, Silence Top Scientists, Jeopardize Our Health, and Protect Corporate Profits
Note: All proceeds from this book go to the National Whistle Blower's Center (www.whistleblowers.org)

David Lewis was a research microbiologist at the EPA's Office of Research and Development and at the University of Georgia for over 30 years. He became famous for his work showing that improper sterilizing of dental equipment was transferring HIV, hepatitis and other diseases from patient to patient. He then discovered how (FDA approved) improper sterilization methods were allowing transfer of diseases in endoscopy tests resulting in thousands of deaths.
Later he became involved with studying the land application of sewage sludge (biosolids). When he discovered how the safety studies had been falsified, how toxic and dangerous the sewage sludge really was, he started reporting on the health problems it causes. Government and Industry came after him to shut him up from telling the truth.
For additional information on the dangers of sewage sludge see: www.sludgefacts.org  or www.sludgenews.org
When studying the link between autism and sewage sludge he ran across a researcher in Britain that exposed the link between MMR vaccines, autism, and viral meningitis.  
This book covers the story of how governments and industry along with the media (had to protect their advertisers) on two continents went after the two scientists whom wanted to help people and tell the truth. After years of legal battles, both scientists were found innocent of fraud, to be telling the truth and trying to protect people. However, their reputations, careers, and finances, were ruined.

As I was writing this review, an e-newsletter came in on the same subject: "

13 Academics Who Are Shills for Corporate Giants"
http://www.ecowatch.com/academics-shills-corporate-giants-2003189085.html

A couple other books exposing government corruption are:
FDA - Failure, Deception, Abuse - The Story of an Out-of-Control Government Agency and What It Means For Your Health,  Life Extension Foundation, Praktikoa Books, 2010, ISBN: 978-1-60766-001-9
Merchants of DOUBT: How a handful of scientists obscured the truth on issues from Tobacco smoke to global warming, by Naomi Oreskes and Erik M. Conway, Bloomsbury Press, 2010, ISBN: 978-1-59691-610-4
 



                                                                    *   *   *
 
WEEKLY GARDENING EVENTS &
ANNOUNCEMENTS 
CALENDAR


PLEASE READ: TO SUBMIT AN EVENT FOR THIS CALENDAR, 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.
Sorry, no children's programs. Submit to: lazygardener@sbcglobal.net 
 
IF WE INSPIRE YOU TO ATTEND ANY OF THESE EVENTS, PLEASE TELL SPONSORS YOU HEARD ABOUT IT IN 
THE LAZY GARDENER & FRIENDS HOUSTON GARDEN NEWSLETTER 
 
 
 
SAT., 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: galvcountymgs@gmail.com.
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
 
SAT., SEPT 17: HERB CONTAINER WORKSHOP WITH URBAN HARVEST, 10-11am, Buchanan's Native Plants, 611 E 11th. Pay for supplies you use. 713-861-5702; buchanansplants.com/events

SAT, SEPT 17: DECORATE YOUR CARDEN by HARRIS COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS. 10am-Noon. Maude Smith Marks Library, 1815 Westgreen Blvd., Katy. Free. hcmga.tamu.edu/Public/docs/2016-green-thumb.pdf;281-855-5600
 
SAT., SEPT. 17: WHEN & WHY TO PLANT & GROW FALL VEGGIES by TOM LEROY, 10am, Enchanted Forest, 10611 FM1750; 2pm, Enchanted Gardens, 6420 FM359, both Richmond. Free. myenchanted.com

SAT. SEPT. 17: WHY DID GOD CREATE WEEDS? by ANGELA CHANDLER, 8-9:30AM, Egg and I Meeting Room, 10603 W Sam Houston Parkway North. Golden Rule Home and Garden. Free. Register: ronlohr@aol.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 

MON., SEPT. 19: STORYTIME IN THE GARDEN, 10:30-11:30 am, Mercer Botanic Garden, 22306 Aldine-Westfield, Humble. Free. Register: 713-274-4160.

TUES., SEPT. 20: BROMELIADS IN WILDERNESS: WIDELY SEPARATED HABITATS - SIMILAR PLANTS by DENNIS CATHCART, 7:30pm, Metropolitan Multi-Service Center, 1475 W. Gray. Free. Bromeliad Society/Houston event.  bromeliadsocietyhouston. org
 
TUES., SEPT 20: DECORATE YOUR CARDEN by HARRIS COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS. 6:30-8:30 pm, Spring Branch Memorial Library, 930 Corbindale. Free. hcmga.tamu.edu/Public/docs/2016-green-thumb.pdf;281-855-5600

SAT., SEP 24: PECKERWOOD GARDEN OPEN DAY, 10am-2pm tours, 20559 FM 359 Road, Hempstead. $10. Garden Conservancy event. peckerwoodgarden.org; 979-826-3232; info@peckerwoodgarden.org
 
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: galvcountymgs@gmail.com; http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston/
.  
SAT., SEPT. 24:  LEAGUE CITY GARDEN WALK - "THROUGH THE GARDEN GATE", 10am-4pm. $15. leaguecitygardenclub.org.
 
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

SAT., SEPT. 24: ANNUAL SCARECROW FESTIVAL - LEARN TO BUILD A SCARECROW, 10am, Enchanted Forest, 10611 FM1750; 2pm, Enchanted Gardens, 6420 FM359, both Richmond. Free. myenchanted.com

SUN., SEPT. 25: SUSTAINABLE LIVING THROUGH PERMACULTURE CLASS #1. 2- 6pm. N. Stella Link & 610 area. $40. Urban Harvest event. 713-880-5540; urbanharvest.org
 
Sun., Sept. 25: Cypress Creek Daylily Society, 2-4pm, Mercer Botanic Garden, 22306 Aldine-Westfield, Humble. Free. Register: 713-274-4160.

TUES., SEPT 27: HARRIS COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS OPEN GARDEN DAY AND SEMINAR: DECORATE YOUR GARDEN; 10-11 am, Weekley Community Center at 8440 Greenhouse Rd. Free. ogd.harrishort@gmail.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.com

WED., SEPT. 28: SOIL: FORMULATE A WELL-DRAINED MIX FOR SUCCULENT PLANTS" by JOSIE WELLS, 7:30pm, Metropolitan Multi-Service Center, 1475 West Gray. Free. Houston Cactus & Succulent Society event. hcsstx.org. 

WED., SEPT. 28: GREEN ROOFS, WALLS & BIOSWALES, 6-8pm, City of Houston Green Building Resource Center, 1002 Washington Ave. Free. Register: 832-394-9050; greenhoustontx.gov/gbrceducation.pdf

SAT., OCT. 1: BASIC ORGANIC VEGETABLE GARDENING, 9:30-11:30am, Houston Museum of Natural Science, Moran Hall, 5555 Hermann Park Dr. $45. Urban Harvest event. 713-880-5540; urbanharvest.org
 
SAT., OCT 1: CRUCIFEROUS & OTHER FAVORITE FALL VEGETABLES, by GENE SPELLER, 9-11am, & HERBS IN THE GARDEN by CINDY CROFT, 1-3 pm, AgriLife Extension, Carbide Park, 4102 Main, La Marque. Galveston County Master Gardener events. Free. Register: galvcountymgs@gmail.com, 281-534-3413, aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston 
 
SAT. OCT. 1:  MONTGOMERY COUNTY MASTER GARDENER FALL PLANT SALE,8 am presentation, sale 9-noon, AgriLife Extension Office, 9020 Airport Rd, Conroe. 936-539-7824; mcmga.com
 
SUN., OCT. 2: SUSTAINABLE LIVING THROUGH PERMACULTURE CLASS #2. 12:30-5:30 pm. University of Houston, Central Campus, Science & Engineering Classroom Building. $50. Urban Harvest event. 713-880-5540; urbanharvest.org

SAT., OCT 1 : PECKERWOOD INSIDER'S TOUR, 10am and 6pm, 20559 FM 359 Road, Hempstead. Garden Conservancy event. $15. Register: peckerwoodgarden.org, 979-826-3232; info@peckerwoodgarden.org 

SAT., OCT. 1: FALL FEST - BNP 30th ANNIVERSARY, 11am-4pm, Buchanan's Native Plants, 611 E 11th. Free. 713-861-5702; buchanansplants.com/events
 
SAT., OCT 1: HARRIS COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS FALL PLANT SALE, 9am-1pm, AgriLife Extension Center, 3033 Bear Creek Drive. Free. hcmga.tamu.edu/Public/ pubSales.aspx; 281-855-5600. 

TUES., OCT 4: EASY BUTTERFLY GARDENING by PHYLLIS KOENIG, 6:30-8 pm. AgriLife Extension, Carbide Park, 4102 Main, La Marque. Galveston County Master Gardener event. Free, but pre-register: galvcountymgs@gmail.com,281-534-3413, aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston
 
WED., OCT. 5: HERBS FOR HEALING by LUCIA BETTLER, 9-11:30am, Clear Lake Methodist Church, 16335 El Camino Real. Gardeners by the Bay event. 281-474-5051.

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.org

SAT., OCT. 8: PECKERWOOD GARDEN OPEN DAY, 10am-2pm tours, 20559 FM 359 Road, Hempstead. $10. Garden Conservancy event. peckerwoodgarden.org 979-826-3232; info@peckerwoodgarden.org
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. Galveston County Master Gardener events. Register: galvcountymgs@gmail.com, 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
 
SAT., OCT 8: COCKRELL BUTTERFLY CENTER FALL PLANT SALE & MARKET, 9 am-noon (or sell-out), Houston Museum of Natural Science, parking garage 7th level, 5555 Hermann Park Dr. Free parking/$30 purchase. hmns.org/cockrell-butterfly-center/
 
SAT., OCT. 8: MERCER ANNUAL GARDEN PARTY GALA: WILD ABOUT GINGERS! 5pm, 22306 Aldine-Westfield. Tickets: 713-274-4166, msociety@hcp4.net.

SAT., OCT. 8: LANDSCAPING WITH EDIBLES by SCOTT SNODGRASS, 10am, free & (following) GROW YOUR OWN LETTUCE BOWL (kids), $15. Enchanted Forest, 10611 FM1750, Richmond. myenchanted.com
 
SAT., OCT. 8: LANDSCAPING WITH EDIBLES by SCOTT SNODGRASS, 2pm, free & (following) GROW YOUR OWN LETTUCE BOWL (kids), $15. Enchanted Gardens, 6420 FM359, Richmond. myenchanted.com

SUN. OCT. 9: INDOOR COMPOSTING-OUTDOOR SUCCESS by ANGELA CHANDLER, 11-1pm, Arbor Gate,15635 FM 2920. arborgate.com

SUN., OCT. 9: DESIGNING BOUNTIFUL GARDENS THROUGH PERMACULTURE by Permaculture Guild of Houston. Various locations. $404. Urban Harvest event. 713-880-5540; urbanharvest.org.

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 

TUE., OCT 11: MY FAVORITE PERENNIALS by JAN BRICK, 6:30-8 pm. AgriLife Extension, Carbide Park, 4102 Main, La Marque. Galveston County Master Gardener event. Free. Register: galvcountymgs@gmail.com. 281-534-3413, aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston 
 
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 

WED., OCT. 12: CACTI IN THE ROUGH - SUCCULENT TOUR OF BIG BEND, noon-2pm, Mercer Arboretum & Botanic Gardens, 22306 Aldine-Westfield. Free. Register: 713-274-4160.

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 

THURS, OCT 13: FRUIT TREES PLANTING & CAREBY HARRIS COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS. 6:30-8:30pm. Barbara Bush Library, 6817 Cypresswood Dr., Spring. Free. hcmga.tamu.edu/Public/docs/2016-green-thumb.pdf; 281-855-5600
 
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
 
SAT, OCT 15; FRUIT TREES PLANTING AND CAREBY HARRIS COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS. 10am-Noon. Maude Smith Marks Library, 1815 Westgreen Blvd., Katy. Free. Details: https://hcmga.tamu.edu/Public/docs/2016-green-thumb.pdf281-855-5600
 
SAT., OCT. 15: GALVESTON COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS ANNUAL FALL PLANT SALE, 9am-1pm, Galveston County Fairgrounds in Hitchcock, 10 Jack Brooks Road on Highway 6
 
SAT. OCT 15: MONTGOMERY COUNTY OPEN OPEN GARDENS DAY/VEGETABLE & HERB SALE, Sale 9-noon, Open Gardens 9 am-11 am. AgriLife Extension Office, 9020 Airport Rd, Conroe. 936-539-7824, www.mcmga.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
 
TUES., OCT 18: FRUIT TREES PLANTING AND CARE by HARRIS COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS. 6:30-8:30pm, Spring Branch Memorial Library, 930 Corbindale. Free. hcmga.tamu.edu/Public/docs/2016-green-thumb.pdf; 281-855-5600
 
TUES., OCT 18: HARRIS COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS OPEN GARDEN DAY & SEMINAR: FRUIT TREES-PLANTING & CARE; 10-11 am, Weekley Community Center, 8440 Greenhouse Rd. Free. ogd.harrishort@gmail.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

THURS., OCT 20: FRUIT TREES PLANTING AND CAREby HARRIS COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS. 6:30-8:30pm. Freeman Branch Library, 16616 Diana Lane.Free. hcmga.tamu.edu/Public/docs/2016-green-thumb.pdf;281-855-5600

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. STARTING A COMMUNITY OR SCHOOL GARDEN WORKSHOP, 8:30am-2:30pm. $20. University of St. Thomas, Malloy Hall, Rm 113, 3812 Yoakum Blvd. 713-880-5540, urbanharvest.org.

SAT., OCT. 22: 2016 FAIRY GARDEN WORKSHOP, 10am, Enchanted Forest, 10611 FM1750; 2pm, Enchanted Gardens, 6420 FM359, both Richmond. $10. Register: myenchanted.com

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
 
TUES., OCT. 25: GARDEN TO VASE by Linda Gay & Pat Hermes, 9am-noon, Houston School of Flowers, 4340-D Directors Row. $75. 713-681-2400, agardenforcutting.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

THURS.., OCT. 27: GARDEN TO VASE by Linda Gay & Pat Hermes, 9am-noon, Houston School of Flowers, 4340-D Directors Row. $75. 713-681-2400, agardenforcutting.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.com

SAT., OCT. 29: FRIGHTFUL FUN IN THE GARDEN by ASHLEY GRUBB, 10am, Enchanted Forest, 10611 FM1750; 2pm, Enchanted Gardens, 6420 FM359, both Richmond. Free. myenchanted.com
SAT., OCT. 29: FRIGHTFUL FUN IN THE GARDEN by ASHLEY GRUBB, 10am, Enchanted Forest, 10611 FM1750; 2pm, Enchanted Gardens, 6420 FM359, both Richmond. Free. myenchanted.com

SAT., NOV 5 : PECKERWOOD INSIDER'S TOUR, 10am & 6pm, 20559 FM 359 Road, Hempstead. Garden Conservancy event. $15. Register: peckerwoodgarden.org. 979-826-3232; info@peckerwoodgarden.org 
   
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.org

SAT., NOV 12: PECKERWOOD GARDEN OPEN DAY, 10am-2pm tours, 20559 FM 359 Road, Hempstead. $10. Garden Conservancy event. peckerwoodgarden.org 979-826-3232; info@peckerwoodgarden.org 
    
SAT., NOV 26: PECKERWOOD GARDEN OPEN DAY, 10am-2pm tours, 20559 FM 359 Road, Hempstead. $10. Garden Conservancy event. peckerwoodgarden.org, 979-826-3232; info@peckerwoodgarden.org 
    
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; info@peckerwoodgarden.org

SAT. DEC. 3: THE ARBOR GATE CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE, 2-6pm, 15635 FM 2920, Tomball. 281-351-8851. Free; register: arborgate.com

FRI., 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; info@peckerwoodgarden.org

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.org

FRI., 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.
Sorry, no children's programs. Submit to: lazygardener@sbcglobal.net 
 
 
 
THIS NEWSLETTER IS MADE
POSSIBLE BY THE FOLLOWING SPONSORS











ADOPTABLE DOG OF THE MONTH

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.
                                             


                                                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
 
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. 


 

 
 
COUPON: Nature's Way Resources. Buy two one gallon salvias and get one free. 
 (Offer good for retail purchases of this product (101 Sherbrook Circle, Conroe TX). Expires 09/27/16.
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