AUGUST 11, 2017

Dear Friends,

Here is the 218th 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. . . .E mail 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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READERS REPORT . . . DEFINITION OF A HABITAT . . . SOD WEBWORMS
AND . . . BEST OF ALL . . . GARDENING FOR FIREFLIES! 
 
    How many times have we been interrupted . . .  
    One time it was because we suddenly saw a firefly  
    Lighting his green lantern among the boughs of a fir-tree.
    Marvellous! Marvellous!
    He is making for himself
    A little tent of light in the darkness!
               " Improvisations: Light And Snow" by Conrad Aiken

By BRENDA BEUST SMITH
 
You know what I don't have in my garden that I'd REALLY love to have?  Fireflies!  I remember seeing so many as a child.

Haven't seen one in decades, one reason, perhaps, why I was so turned on by the Dark Skies Movement. Our up-focused night landscape lighting is not only wasteful & useless, it's partly responsible for the dearth of fireflies around our gardens!  Another possibility: fireflies used to be harvested for luciferin, one of their light-producing components. Although synthetic luciferin is available for use in scientific research, food safety and forensic tests, but that doesn't mean harvesting has totally ended.


Ben Pfeiffer, right, and home page logo on his firefly.org website. 
 
So it was with delight I learned from Russ Kane that Ben Pfeiffer, firefly.org founder, will speak at the 2017 Wildscapes Workshop on Sept. 9.  Ben's Spotlight article below previews his "Fireflies of Texas: Glowing, Glowing, Gone" presentation (including advice on attracting fireflies to our landscapes). A 6th generation Texan and Master Naturalist , Ben has turned firefly.org into a top conservation/educational nonprofit and is a frequent speaker to groups such as Texas Pollinator Powwow. He is developing a fireflies species guide. 

A real tip o' the trowel to Russ Kane who suggested this Spotlight. It's not often I come across something totally new to me in the gardening arena.  This is!

I especially loved this quote on another firefly threat, excerpted from a USA Today article: Once the lightning bug lovers have exchanged flashes ... the male lands nearby and the fireflies mate. That is, unless the female belongs to the Photuris family, the "femme fatale" of fireflies, who can mimic the mating flash pattern of other species. This causes the males to land next to the Photuris females who eat them."  Interesting!

*  *  * 
Before we get to Ben's great "Fireflies" Spotlight, a TIP O' THE TROWEL to:   

*  *  *

Left, Janet Roberts' tithonia. Center, Lauren Simpson and Sarah Flournoy filming one
of Houston Audubon's "Model Habitat" videos in Lauren's "St. Julian's Crossing"
series. Right, what's messing up Julie McDonald's Ponderosa lemons?
  

* JANET ROBERTS sent in the pictures at left above to add to last week's great hot summer bloomers list. Tithonia (Mexican sunflower) is a triple winner, attracting hummers, butterflies (especially monarchs) and bees. She loves the brilliant orange color and velvety leaves. Her mail order plants arrived almost dead, but they revived. Tough ladies! Tithonia is usually an annual for us, but that might change with our shorter, warmer winters. In the meantime, Janet plans to collect seed!

* DORIS HEARD sent word of a new Houston Audubon Society website that focuses on habitat gardening including a series of interviews with another Pollinator Pow Wow speaker, Lauren Simpson, on her St. Julian's Crossing." Audubon's Sarah Flournoy is compiling data on Houston area habitat gardeners for a " Model Habitats" section. (click on blue for more details).

*  JULIE MCDONALD who wondered what could be doing this (right above) to her Ponderosa lemons? Several experts weighed in and all had the same response: bird damage. Frustrating, eh? But now that you know, consider bird netting.

* DALE PHILLIPS asked about those "flies in my yard." Just as chinch bugs explode in hot dry weather, sod webworms become epidemic in cloudy rainy weather. They aren't 'flies.' They're 'moths.' And it's their larva, not the flies, killing your grass. I ignore my lawn (except for mowing). Have never had sod webworms (that I noticed). Neither has John Ferguson, whose organic approach explored in the column below mine. Since John's also a nationally recognized soil/mulch expert/lecturer and my publisher, I thought his advice to Dale is well worth sharing

JOHN WROTE : "In nature St. Augustine grass grows 12-18 inches tall depending on the variety. When one cuts it to only 2-3 inches tall it stresses the grass. Insects like to attack stressed out plants as they have a compromised immune system. On my lawn mower I drilled holes in the frame about one inch higher than the highest blade setting. I then inserted sheet metal screws to form a higher blade setting.

"Make sure you have a sharp blade. A dull blade not only makes a ragged cut that allows disease to enter the blade, it also pulls on the grass blade before the cut is finished. This stress may make tears on the runner where the blade attaches and sap will ooze out, which will then attract many insects pests to feed."

I know . . . right now you're thinking "WHY DOESN'T SHE TELL US HOW TO KILL THEM!" 

. . . 'cause I don't treat for anything. So I'm not qualified. If you're determined to treat, call your local county AgriLife Extension Office. All have Master Gardeners who answer questions and/or an AgriLife Horticultural agent who can tell you. Don't know the number?  Check here: mastergardener.tamu.edu/county-programs/
 
*   *   *

ONE LAST THOUGHT: We often forget that nature survives ONLY in cycles. Several times lately I've gotten comments that seem to ignore this very basic fact of life.

One reader commented she thought it was pretty strange that the National Butterfly Center is right across from a bird sanctuary, since birds eat butterfly larva. 

And below, you'll see Ben is advocating actually recommending sites in our gardens that encourage slugs, snails and other wildlife some gardeners prefer to KILL!!!!

That's the way Nature works, folks!  You can't eliminate one element without hurting another. The best you can do is to make your garden/landscape as healthy as possible, to select the right plants, so your fauna and flora works together to keep everything in balance .

That, my friends, is the definition of "Habitat ." Children are being school-educated (far better than we were) on how important habitats are.  Better get with it, or your grandchildren will be shaking their fingers at you!
   
Brenda's column in the LAZY GARDENER & FRIENDS HOUSTON GARDEN NEWSLETTER 
Is based on her 40+ years as the Houston Chronicle's Lazy Gardener 
Email questions, comments to her at lazygardener@sbcglobal.net
  
* *  *

 

 
Photos by Ben Pfeiffer, founder of Firefly.org
 

"FIREFLIES OF TEXAS:
GLOWING, GLOWING, GONE"!
By BEN PFEIFFER 
Firefly.org

Gardeners often don't realize gardens make for great firefly habitat, helping to replace lost natural habitat. The common firefly -- the Big Dipper firefly (Photinus pyralis) -- readily takes to an organic habitat. The trick is to make your garden as inviting as possible for fireflies to take up residence.
 
Gardens are meccas for food fireflies eat. If you have fought off snails, slugs, various insects, worms then fireflies can lend a hand by helping to control these pests.

Fireflies spend up to 95% of their lives in larval stages. They live in soil/mud/leaf litter and spend from 1-2 years growing until finally pupating to become adults. This entire time they eat anything they can find. As adults, they only live 2-4 weeks. Females that have mated successfully need a place to lay eggs. They will lay eggs in many spots, but gardens offer an oasis with a source of soil moisture good for larval development.

Some inventive tips for attracting fireflies:
  • Don't rake leaves and put them on the curb. You are raking up firefly larvae and throwing them away.
  • Collect bags of leaves to make "Bag Compost". Collect 5-15 bags.
  • Wet bags down in a shady lawn area. Keep moist/wet for 3-6 months or up to a year.
  • Bags will attract snails/slugs. This is food for growing fireflies.
  • In Spring, put bag compost in your garden. Put it in mounds and till it into your soil.
  • Repeat each year. It might take as long as 5 years, or as quick as that same year, to get fireflies in your garden
L to r: firefly in larvae stage need to eat. Favorite food: snails and slugs.
 
Other ways to help attract fireflies:
  • Assess your soil health
  • If you have poor soil, introduce nutrients such as bag compost, leaves.
  • Till your soil. Tilling adds some aeration and prevents soil from compacting.
  • Avoid use of broad spectrum pesticides, especially lawn chemicals.
  • Turn off outside lights and advocate for local "Dark Skies" policies to control light pollution.
  • Buy land to protect species.
  • Let log and leaf litter accumulate. Segment an area of your land/yard to remain in a natural state.
  • Plant trees and native grasses. Grasses and forbs help retain soil moisture.
  • Don't over-mow your lawn.
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 
Contact Ben through firefly.org or talk with him in person at:

 SAT., SEPT. 9: WILDSCAPES WORKSHOP & NATIVE PLANT SALE
8am-3:30pm, Houston Community College, 5601 West Loop South.
Native Plant Society of Texas-Houston Chapter event. $40 Aug. 26, $50 after.
Register: npsot.org/wp/houston/wildscapes-workshop/
(space limited -- register early) 



 

 
 


 

 
 
 
JOHN'S CORNER
 
 
MINERALS - The Elements and What They Do

Part 34

See the October 21, 2016 Newsletter for list of references and the Periodic Table.
54) Xenon (Xe)

Xenon is the fifth member of the inert gases that we call "noble gases" as they do not react with anything, and is located in the far right column of the periodic table. However, in 1962 xenon was found to react with fluorine to form various compounds.

Xenon is used in incandescent light bulbs as it lets them burn hotter and brighter. It is used in arc lighting to make special hi-intensity light like those used in projectors at I-max theaters and in flash bulbs for cameras. Most recently, xenon is being used in thin film technology. Xenon is also being used to make ion propulsion systems for spacecraft.

Xenon is believed to have no biological role and the amount found in the human body is from dissolved xenon from the air. However, researchers found that Xenon does bind to mammalian hemoglobin and myoglobin producing an anesthetic affect.

Most of the xenon on Earth is found in our atmosphere and it is the 85th most abundant element on earth (i.e. vary rare) even though we have 2 billion tons of it in the atmosphere.
The amount of xenon in rocks, soils, or water is extremely small.

Gardening and Landscaping Problems Associated with Xenon (Xe)

Xenon does not affect plants good or bad. Many herbs contain small amounts of xenon with Egyptian onions having some of the highest levels.
Sources: atmosphere
 
55) Cesium (Cs) -
Cesium is found in igneous rocks at 1 ppm, shale's at 5 ppm, coal at 1 ppm, but only 0.5 ppm in sandstones and limestone's. Very little cesium is found in fresh or seawater. Cesium in soils can range from 0.3 to 25 ppm. There is less than 1 ppm in land or marine plants. Land animals may have 0.064 ppm in their muscles.
Cesium is a shiny gold colored metal that reacts with oxygen. Cesium is the most reactive of all the alkali metals. If one drops a piece of cesium into a bowl of water, it will explode. Cesium most commonly occurs with a +1 electrical or valence state. Cesium is strongly sorbed to mica or clay minerals in the soil.
All elements have a natural vibration or frequency that can be used to measure time. Cesium is used in atomic clocks to calculate and provide a global time reference. Powdered cesium formate is used in oil well drilling.

There is some evidence that cesium helps mammalian immune systems.
Cesium tends to accumulate in the organic horizon in soils.

Gardening and Landscaping Problems Associated with Cesium (Ce)

Cesium is not required by plants thus it has not been studied. However, roots take up cesium, as it is in the same column on the periodic table as potassium, hence has similar chemical properties.
Members of the Amaranthus and Helianthus species tend to hyper-accumulate cesium and can be used for phytoremediation of polluted sites.
Sources: radioactive fallout, coal ash
 
56) Barium (Ba)
Barium is a soft silvery-white metal found all over the earth. In igneous rocks, it may range from 0.5-1,200 ppm with an average of 425 ppm and in sedimentary rock 50-800 ppm, thus barium is common in soils from 100-3,000 ppm. Barium gets its name from the Greek barys, which means heavy. This derives from the barium minerals, which are heavy.

Barium in soils average 500 ppm where it is in mobile forms. However, it easily precipitates as sulfates and carbonates and will be absorbed by clays, oxides, and hydroxides. Coals may have 75-330 ppm of barium.
Barium is an alkali metal in group 2 of the periodic table of elements, it reacts quickly with oxygen in the air, making it useless for many applications. In vacuum tubes, a piece of barium was included to react with any trace amounts of leftover oxygen, nitrogen, or water to prevent these from interfering with the function of the tube.

One of the benefits of barium is the density of slurries containing barium compounds. An example is the drilling mud (barium sulfate, BaSO4) which is used in oil well drilling (90% of all usage of barium). Barium is also used in the manufacture of ceramics, bricks, tile, and glasses. A compound of barium composed of barium, yttrium, carbon and oxygen is a superconductor. Barium nitrate is used to produce a green color in fireworks. The rare mineral below, which is a barium-titanium-silicate (BaTiSi3O9) that has a translucent blue color, which can be cut and turned into a gemstone.



Barium is found concentrated in phosphate bearing rocks, thus artificial fertilizers often have high barium levels. Barium most often occurs with a +2 electrical or valence state. Its common minerals are barium sulfate or Barite (BaSO4), barium carbonate or Witherite (BaCO3), and Hollandite (Ba2Mn8O16).

Until recently, barium was considered to have no biological role, but today, it is considered essential.
Barium is mainly found in the bones and teeth of humans. One report stated that the AIDs virus loves barium and an excess may help it reproduce. Barium sulfate due to its density is often ingested, to enhance medical imaging of soft tissue in our stomachs and intestines.

One use for barium is in animal studies, researchers found that mother orangutans transfer barium from their own skeletons to their babies while they are nursing. This forms layers in the babies teeth that can identify how many years the babies have nursed (orangutans often do not wean until 8 years of age). Science News, June 2017

Gardening and Landscaping Problems Associated with Barium (Ba)

It is generally believed that barium plays no role in the metabolism of plants. However, plants, especially in acidic soils, easily absorb barium with greater absorption at lower pH levels. Most plants have 2-14 ppm of barium in their tissues with higher levels found in dryer climates. Wheat has 3.2 ppm, cereal grains 5.5 ppm, carrots 13 ppm, lettuce 9 ppm, beans 8 ppm, tomatoes 2.1 ppm, and apples at 1.5 ppm. Barium is found in all food groups with the highest levels in nuts. Blueberries with very high levels of barium have been reported.

Levels of barium at 2,000 ppm inhibit the growth of some plants. However, if compounds of sulfur (S) and calcium (Ca) are in the soil then toxicity effects of barium are reduced.
The leaves of some nut trees have barium levels above 10,000 ppm! Some Brazil nuts have also been reported with 10,000 ppm of barium.

Some species of yeast have a high affinity for barium where it accumulates on their surface.
Sources: coal and coal ash, artificial fertilizers made from phosphate rocks
 
 
 
 



 



 

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LAZY GARDENER & FRIENDS HOUSTON GARDEN NEWSLETTER
CALENDAR EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

PLEASE READ BEFORE SUBMITTING AN EVENT TO THIS CALENDAR.   
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  
T HE LAZY GARDENER & FRIENDS HOUSTON GARDEN NEWSLETTER 

 
 


 

 
 
SAT., AUG 12:. BEES: LOVE 'EM and RAISE 'EM!  9-11am, AgriLife Extension Office, 9020 Airport Road, Conroe. Montgomery County Master Gardener event. $5. 936-539-7824; mcmga.com

TUES., AUG. 15: FALL VEGETABLES, 6:30pm, Spring Branch Memorial Library, 930 Corbindale. Harris County Master Gardener event. Free. hcmga.tamu.edu/Public/docs/2017-green-thumb.pdf; 281-855-5600

TUE., AUG 15: A HOMEOWNER'S GUIDE TO WEED CONTROL by GALVESTON COUNTY MASTER GARDENER , 6:30-8:00 pm, AgriLife Extension Bldg., Carbide Park, 4102 Main (Hwy 519), La Marque. Free. Register: galvcountymgs@gmail.com, 281-534-3413, aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston/index.html

THURS., AUG. 17: FALL VEGETABLES, 6:30pm, Freeman Branch Library, 16616 Diana Lane. Harris County Master Gardener event. Free hcmga.tamu.edu/Public/docs/2017-green-thumb.pdf; 281-855-5600

SAT., AUG. 19: FALL VEGETABLES, 10am, Maud Smith Marks Library, 1815 Westgreen Blvd. Katy. Harris County Master Gardener event. Free. hcmga.tamu.edu/Public/docs/2017-green-thumb.pdf; 281-855-5600
 
TUES., AUG. 22, HARRIS COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS OPEN GARDEN DAY AND SEMINAR: FALL VEGETABLES, 9-11:30 am, 3033 Bear Creek Drive. Free. Register: ogd.harrishort@gmail.com

TUES., AUG. 22: GROWING FRUIT TREES IN CONTAINERS, 1pm. The Sugarland Branch Library, 550 Eldridge, Sugarland.  Free.  A Sugarland Garden Club event. beatles11@peoplepc.com, 281-778-5844

SAT., AUG. 26: GARDEN TO VASE - HANDS-ON WORKSHOP, 10am-noon, Mercer Botanic Garden, 22306 Aldine-Westfield, Humble. $40. Register: 713-274-4166.
 
THURS., SEP. 6:  SMALL ORNAMENTAL TREES FOR THE HOUSTON AREA by LINDA GAY 10 am , MUD Building, 805 Hidden Canyon Dr, Katy. Free, Nottingham Country Garden Club event.   ncgctx.or g
   
THURS., SEPT. 7: STROLLER STROLLS, 9-10am, Mercer Botanic Garden, 22306 Aldine-Westfield, Humble. Free. Register: 713-274-4160.
 
 SAT., SEPT. 9: WILDSCAPES WORKSHOP & NATIVE PLANT SALE, 8am-3:30pm, Houston Community College, 5601 West Loop South. Native Plant Society of Texas-Houston Chapter event. $40 Aug. 26, $50 after. Register: npsot.org/wp/houston/wildscapes-workshop/
 
SAT., SEPT 9:  SIMPLY SUCCULENTS by PAULA SPLETTER, 9-11am & HERBS by TRICIA BRADBURY, 1-3pm; AgriLife Extension Bldg, Carbide Park, 4102 Main (Hwy 519), La Marque. Galveston County Master Gardener event. Free. Register: galvcountymgs@gmail.com, 281-534-3413, aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston

SAT.-SUN., SEPT. 9-10: HOUSTON CACTUS & SUCCULENT SOCIETY SHOW&SALE. 9am-5pm. Metropolitan Multi-Service Center, 1475 West Gray. Free. hcsstex.org 


WED., SEPT. 13: THE MERCER SOCIETY'S OPEN GREENHOUSE, 10am-noon, and YOUR GARDEN & CLIMATE CHANGE, noon, Mercer Botanic Garden, 22306 Aldine-Westfield, Humble. Free.

THURS., SEPT. 14: FROM OVER THE TOP TO DOWN UNDER, ADVENTURES IN HORTICULTURE by GEORGE HULL, 7pm, Ina Brundrett Conservation Education Building, Pineywoods Native Plant Center, 2900 Raguet St, Nacogdoches.  936-468-4404 or sullivanfa@sfasu.edu

THURS., SEPT. 14: GARDENING WITH CHILDREN & GRANDCHILDREN, 6:30 pm, Barbara Bush Memorial Library, 6817 Cypresswood Drive Spring. Harris County Master Gardener event. Free. hcmga.tamu.edu/Public/docs/2017-green-thumb.pdf; 281-855-5600
 
THURS,.SEPT. 14: ROSES LOVE COMPANIONS by LINDA B GAY, 7:30pm, Cherie Flores Garden Pavillon, 1500 Hermann Dr. Houston Rose Society event.  Free.  houstonrose.org 
 
SAT., SEPT. 16: GARDENING WITH CHILDREN & GRANDCHILDREN, 10am, Maud Smith Marks Library, 1815 Westgreen
Blvd. Katy. Harris County Master Gardener event. Free. hcmga.tamu.edu/Public/docs/2017-green-thumb.pdf; 281-855-5600
 
SAT., SEPT 16:  A PASSION FOR PLUMERIA by LORETTA OSTEEN, 1-3pm; AgriLife Extension Bldg, Carbide Park, 4102 Main (Hwy 519), La Marque. Galveston County Master Gardener event. Free. Register: galvcountymgs@gmail.com, 281-534-3413, aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston

TUES., SEPT. 19: GARDENING WITH CHILDREN & GRANDCHILDREN, 6:30pm, Spring Branch Memorial Library, 930 Corbindale. Harris County Master Gardener event. Free. Register: ogd.harrishort@gmail.com
 
THURS., SEPT. 21: GARDENING WITH CHILDREN & GRANDCHILDREN, 6:30pm, Freeman Branch Library, 16616 Diana Lane. Harris County Master Gardener event. Free. hcmga.tamu.edu/Public/docs/2017-green-thumb.pdf; 281-855-5600

THURS., SEPT. 21-24: MASTER COMPOSTER TRAINING, Green Building Resource Center, 1002 Washington Ave. $40. Green Building Resource Center. Register: 832-394-9050; steve.stelzer@houstontx.gov; codegreenhouston.org

SAT., SEPT. 23: UNDER THE MAJESTIC OAKS - 7th ANNUAL LEAGUE CITY GARDEN CLUB GARDEN WALK, 10am-4pm; $15 advance ticket, Nana's Attic, 501 E. Main, League City. leaguecitygardenclub.org; 281-535-0777.

SAT. SEPT 23:  BULB MANIA by DODIE JACKSON, 9-11am & COMPOSTING, TURNING DIRT INTO SOIL & SOIL HEALTH ASSESSMENT by JIM GILLIAM, 1-3pm; AgriLife Extension Bldg, Carbide Park, 4102 Main (Hwy 519), La Marque. Galveston County Master Gardener event. Free. Register: galvcountymgs@gmail.com, 281-534-3413, aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston

TUES., SEPT. 26, HARRIS COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS OPEN GARDEN DAY AND SEMINAR: GARDENING WITH CHILDREN & GRANDCHILDREN, 9-11:30 am, 3033 Bear Creek DrIve. Free. Register: ogd.harrishort@gmail.com
 

SAT., SEPT 30:  FAVORITE FALL VEGETABLES (CRUCIFEROUS & OTHER VEGETABLES) by GENE SPELLER, 1-3pm, AgriLife Extension Bldg, Carbide Park, 4102 Main (Hwy 519), La Marque. Galveston County Master Gardener event. Free. Register: galvcountymgs@gmail.com, 281-534-3413, aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston

SAT., OCT. 7: HARRIS COUNTY MASTER GARDENER FALL PLANT SALE, Bear Creek Garden, 3033 Bear Creek Dr. 281-855-5600


SAT.-SUN., OCT. 7-8: SPRING BRANCH AFRICAN VIOLET CLUB ANNUAL FALL SALE, 10-4 Sat., 10-3 Sun. Judson Robinson Jr. Community Center, 2020 Hermann Dr. Free. 281-748-8417, kjwross@yahoo.com 

TUES., OCT. 10: GROWING PLUMERIAS, 7:30pm, Cherie Flores Garden Pavillion, 1500 Hermann Dr. Free. Plumeria Society of America event. theplumeriasociety.org; 281-438-3653

THURS., OCT. 12: MOORE FARMS BOTANICAL GARDEN: A GERMINATING SUCCESS by REBECCA TURK, 7pm, Ina Brundrett Conservation Education Building, Pineywoods Native Plant Center, 2900 Raguet St, Nacogdoches.  936-468-4404 or sullivanfa@sfasu.edu

THURS., OCT. 12: TREES: PLANTING AND CARE (INCLUDES FRUIT TREES), 6:30 pm, Barbara Bush Memorial Library, 6817 Cypresswood Drive Spring. Harris County Master Gardener event. Free. hcmga.tamu.edu/Public/docs/2017-green-thumb.pdf; 281-855-5600

THURS.-SAT., OCT. 12-14: 2017 BULB & PLANT MART. Garden Club of Houston event.

FRI., OCT. 13: ALL ABOUT SUCCULENTS: by VERONICA LEWANDOWSKI, 10am, White Oak Convention Center, 7603 Antoine, Free. Houston Federation of Garden Clubs event: houstonfederationgardenclubs.org
SAT., OCT. 14: GALVESTON COUNTY MASTER GARDENER ANNUAL FALL PLANT SALE, 9 am-1pm. Galveston County Fair Grounds, Jack Brooks Park - Rodeo Arena, Hwy. 6 @ Jack Brooks Rd., Hitchcock.

TUES., OCT. 17: TREES: PLANTING AND CARE (INCLUDES FRUIT TREES), 6:30pm, Spring Branch Memorial Library, 930 Corbindale. Harris County Master Gardener event. Free. hcmga.tamu.edu/Public/docs/2017-green-thumb.pdf; 281-855-5600
 
THURS., OCT. 19: TREES: PLANTING AND CARE (INCLUDES FRUIT TREES), 6:30pm, Freeman Branch Library, 16616 Diana Lane. Harris County Master Gardener event. Free. hcmga.tamu.edu/Public/docs/2017-green-thumb.pdf; 281-855-5600
 
SAT., OCT. 21: TREES: PLANTING AND CARE (INCLUDES FRUIT TREES), 10am, Maud Smith Marks Library, 1815 Westgreen Blvd. Katy. Free. hcmga.tamu.edu/Public/docs/2017-green-thumb.pdf; 281-855-5600
 
TUES., OCT. 24, HARRIS COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS OPEN GARDEN DAY & SEMINAR: GARDENING WITH CHILDREN & GRANDCHILDREN, 9:00-11:30 am, 3033 Bear Creek DrIve. Free. Register: ogd.harrishort@gmail.com
 
THURS., NOV. 9: MAGNOLIAS: QUEEN OF THE GARDEN by ANDREW BUNTING, 7pm, Ina Brundrett Conservation Education Building, Pineywoods Native Plant Center, 2900 Raguet St, Nacogdoches.  936-468-4404 or sullivanfa@sfasu.edu
 
FRI., NOV.10: "I DON'T WANT TO GIVE UP MY GARDEN! - GARDENING FOR THE CHALLENGED LIFESTYLE: DR. JOE NOVAK. 10am, White Oak Convention Center, 7603 Antoine. Free. Houston Federation of Garden Clubs event. houstonfederationgardenclubs.org.

FRI., DEC. 8: 'HOLLY JOLLY' LUNCHEON GALA. SPEAKER: BILL MCKINLEY. 9 am, White Oak Convention Center, 7603 Antoine. Tickets $30. Houston Federation of Garden clubs event. houstonfederationgardenclubs.org.

THURS., DEC. 14: THE YEAR IN REVIEW by DAVID CREECH, 7pm, Ina Brundrett Conservation Education Building, Pineywoods Native Plant Center, 2900 Raguet St, Nacogdoches.  936-468-4404 or sullivanfa@sfasu.edu

FRI., JAN. 12: A CAMELIA COLLECTION - RESTORING IMA HOGG'S CAMELIA COLLECTION AT BAYOU BEND by BART BRECHTER. 10 am. White Oak Convention Center, 7603 Antoine, Free. Houston Federation of Garden Clubs event. houstonfederationgardenclubs.org.
FRI., MAR.9: THOSE ADDORABLE HUMMERS by SUE HEATH. 10 am. White Oak Convention Center., 7603 Antoine. Free. Houston Federation of Garden Clubs event. houstonfederationgardenclubs.org
FRI., APRIL 13: THE WORLD OF SEED by ANGELA CHANDLER. 10am., White Oak Convention Center, 7603 Antoine, Free. Houston Federation of Garden Clubs event. houstonfederationgardenclubs.org.
FRI. MAY 11: HONEY BEES - JAMES AND CHARI OF BLUEBONNET BEEKEEPERS. 10am. White Oak Convention Center, 7603 Antoine. Free. Houston Federation of Garden Clubs event. houstonfederationgardencllubs.org.
 


If we inspire you to attend any of these, please let them know you heard about it in . . .  
THE LAZY GARDENER & FRIENDS NEWSLETTER! 
& please patronize our Newsletter & Calendar sponsors below! 
 
PLEASE READ BEFORE
SUBMITTING AN EVENT FOR THIS CALENDAR. 
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 
T HE LAZY GARDENER & FRIENDS HOUSTON GARDEN NEWSLETTER 
  
 
 
THIS NEWSLETTER IS MADE
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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
 
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. 50% OFF Pomegranates & Pears at Nature's Way Resources (expires 8/25/17)
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