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Greetings!
This weekend, we are excited to offer three great classes. On Saturday, Papershell hosts Mike Hensley for his two great Backyard Poultry classes. In part 1, Backyard Poultry for Beginners, Mike goes over the very basics of raising birds for eggs and meat. Part 2, later that afternoon, is intended for those who have either taken the morning class or already have some experience with poultry.
 | | Pick up chicks this weekend! |
Meanwhile, he's also going to bring some of his chickens for sale! I've got a list of the chickens he'll have available, as well as a little bit of information on what you'll need to get started, on our website, here. Take a minute to look it over if you're planning on bringing home a chicken Saturday.
 | | Hypertufa Pot |
Then on Sunday, I'll be teaching a workshop in creating hypertufa planters. Hypertufa is a lightweight concrete mixture that is porous and perfect for succulents and bromeliads. It's not hard to make and a fun group project. This class will be outdoors, so it's dependent on Mother Nature's good graces. If it is rainy on Sunday, we'll reschedule.
We're also getting ready for an exhibit of mosaic art, opening Saturday March 2 and featuring the work of Susie Curry and Lisa Bonin. You can read a guest post by Susie on our website here and one by Lisa is here. The show will open at 3:00pm on Saturday March 2 with a reception and you are most cordially invited to attend. We'll have tasty snacks, famous Papershell sangria and Susie and Lisa's beautiful mosaic art.
 | | Blue by Lisa Bonin |
So much going on this spring! I'm excited about the coming season aren't you?
Thanks for signing up for our email newsletter! Come see us soon! |
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New Herbs
Spring is a wonderful time to start an herb garden or expand your existing one! The weather is still cool enough for the standard spring herbs like cilantro and dill but we are excited to bring a new line of premium herbs to Papershell. These are just a few of the new and unusual varieties we've got in stock. You won't find these on every street corner!
 | | Vietnamese Coriander |
Vietnamese coriander (Persicaria odorata) is a culinary herb used in Southeast Asian cooking. It has a wonderful spicy fragrance with a bit of the taste of cilantro. Use it in stir-fries or as a replacement for cilantro. Unlike cilantro, Vietnamese coriander is a hot-weather herb which will last all summer. Performs best in afternoon shade and requires plenty of room and good watering.
 | | Winter Savory Photo: Kurt Stuber |
Winter savory (Satureja montana) is a traditional seasoning for lentil dishes and warm, comforting stews. This herb is a semi-evergreen perennial but remains nice and low in the garden and would make an excellent border. Provide sun or mostly sun, and good, well-drained soil.
 | | Lemon Catmint Photo: Don Shor |
Lemon-Scented Catnip (Nepeta cataria 'Citriodora') is not just for cats! You can make a lemony tea from the leaves of this little perennial plant. It gets about 3 feet tall and like most herbs, performs best in sun or mostly sun with a well-draining soil.
 | | Golden Green Oregano Photo: BotBln via Wikimedia |
Golden Greek Oregano (Oreganum vulgare aureum) is sometimes called Golden Marjoram and not only is it tasty, it makes a beautiful tough little ground cover. The chartreuse color is most intense in spring and fall, turning a more traditional green in the summer. This herb is generally perennial in our climate.
And that's just a few! There are too many more to pack into this newsletter but I'll give you a hint about one of them.
 | | Ricola! Ricola! Photo: Cristo Vlahos |
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Citrus Has Arrived!
The first shipment of citrus trees has arrived and we've got a good selection of these subtropical lovelies. If you don't have any citrus in your edible garden, you're missing something special. Most citrus are fairly easy to grow and are beautiful additions to the landscape as well.
 | | Satsumas - yummy! |
I've written a longer article on how to grow citrus, with notes on the various types and you can read it on the website here.
I've also put together a list of the varieties currently in stock. It is here on the website as well. As we bring in new plants, I'll update this list.
 | | Rio Red Grapefruit |
I recommend planting citrus after the danger of freeze has past and I think we're there now. We've got a few cold nights on the horizon, but I don't think we'll actually see freezing temperatures again this spring. Yay! Planting trees and shrubs early in the season allows them to get roots established before the hot summer comes. When they need those roots to gather water, they'll have them.
Our citrus class is scheduled for the first weekend in April but meanwhile I'm happy to answer any questions. Just get in touch!
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Growing Potatoes & Asparagus
Around here, Irish potatoes and asparagus are planted in February! Generally, planting potatoes in February protects the young plants from an inopportune freeze while allowing them plenty of time to mature and grow. And February is about as early as you want to go out and dig a deep enough trench for asparagus!
 | | This year, grow your own! |
Potatoes are a rather easy crop, maturing in about 90 days. They require good, fertile soil and regular watering and weeding. We have these varieties of organicseed potatoes in stock:
Russet Norkotah - an early to medium season russet potato good for baking or boiling. It is well-adapted to most growing areas and makes a good medium-sized potato.
Yukon Gold - early to medium maturity and a golden flesh. This potato is popular for baking, boiling and frying.
Sangre Red - a medium-sized red potato that is a bit slow to emerge but worth the wait. Grows rapidly once germinated and makes a good potato for boiling and baking.
CalWhite - produces high yields of oblong white tubers. This is the classic white potato popular for mashing.
All our seed potatoes are organic.
 | | Worth the wait. |
We also have asparagus crowns in stock. Since male varieties are far more productive and disease-resistant, we only stock Jersey Knight. These are organic, 1-year-old plants sold in packages of 6.
I've written a long article on growing potatoes and asparagus and you can find it on the website here.
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Please stop by and visit! Have a glass of world-famous lemonade (or a beer!) -- we'd love to meet you!
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Barrow
Papershell: A Garden Gallery
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Backyard Poultry for Beginners
Saturday, February 16
11:00am - 12:30pm
Mike Hensley leads this class for those interested in raising poultry in your own backyard. Mike has years of experience raising birds. This class is intended for beginners and is $10. Those who stay for the next class will receive a $5 discount.
Note: Mike will have birds available for sale also.
Space is limited - to reserve your spot, call (281) 232-4485 or email us.
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Backyard Poultry, Part 2
Saturday, February 16
1:00-2:30pm
Mike Hensley leads this class for those interested in raising poultry in your own backyard. Mike has years of experience raising birds. This class is intended for those with some experience raising chickens or those who have already taken the beginner class. The class is $10. Those who attended the beginner class today receive a $5 discount.
Note: Mike will have birds available for sale also.
Space is limited - to reserve your spot, call (281) 232-4485 or email us.
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Hypertufa Workshop
Sunday, February 17
2:00-4:00pm
Ever wanted to make your own rustic pots? Learn how in this unique 2-hour workshop. We'll start in the classroom going over the basics and then move outdoors to make pots. $35 registration fee covers all materials and your choice of two small or one large pot.
Please note: the pots require about 2 days of drying time before they can be unmolded and will not be completely dry for about 2 weeks.
Space is limited - to reserve your spot, call (281) 232-4485 or email us.
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Advanced Zentangle
Saturday, February 23
2:00-4:00pm
Certified Zentangle instructor Dawn Meisch leads this class in advanced techniques, intended for people who already have some experience with Zentangle. The class includes everything you need, and additional supplies will be available for purchase. Class fee is $35.
Space is limited - to reserve your spot, call (281) 232-4485 or email us.
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Reception for New Show!
Saturday, March 3
3:00-7:00pm
You are cordially invited to the opening reception for the Mosaic Art show, showcasing the work of Lisa Bonin and Susie Curry. Meet the artists, sample our famous sangria and refreshments and see the fantastic mosaic art for sale.
There is no charge to attend this festive event.
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Fruit Tree Seminar
Sunday, March 3
2:00-3:30pm
LeeAnn Barton of Dave Wilson Nursery presents this informative session on growing fruit in the TX Gulf Coast area. In this seminar, we focus on temperate-zone fruits like apples, pears, peaches & plums. Learn about selecting the right variety, plus pruning, fertilizing, pollination & more. This class is $10 and includes a coupon valid for 15% off your garden center purchase. To register, or for more information, call (281) 232-4485 or email elizabeth@thepapershell.com.
Space is limited - to reserve your spot, call (281) 232-4485 or email us.
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Growing Citrus in the Texas Gulf Coast - How to grow your favorite varieties of citrus fruit.
Citrus and Avocado Varieties for Spring 2013 - A description of citrus & avocados available now.
The Beautiful World of Mosaic Art - A guest post by artist Susie Curry, just in time for her upcoming show.
The Color of Beer - The Biermeister blogs about color: what it means, how it's measured, where it comes from.
Painting with Glass - A guest post by Lisa Bonin, whose show opens March 2 at Papershell.
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