APRIL 24TH, 2017

Dear Friends,

Here is the 202ND 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.
 
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Enjoy!

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GET YOUR RUNNING SHOES ON  
FOR THE BEST BARGAINS IN TOWN!

By BRENDA BEUST SMITH

With so much beauty on the schedule for this week, anything I could say would be totally superfluous.  So let's get to it! Have to go alphabetically.  Certainly the only way to rank these!   

First up: BROMELIADS.  

Shows/Sales like the two upcoming Bromeliad Society/Houston events are loaded with eye-poppin' specimens: 
  • SAT., APR. 29: BROMELIAD PLANT SALE, 9am-3pm, West Gray Multi-Service Center, 1475 W Gray. Free. Bromeliad Society / Houston event. bromeliadsocietyhouston.org  
  • FRI.-SUN., MAY 19-21: BROMELIAD SOCIETY / HOUSTON SHOW & SALE, Show 2pm-5pm Sat. & 11am-4pm Sun., Sale 12pm-4pm Fri., 9am-4pm Sat. & 11am-3pm Sun., Mercer Botanic Gardens, 22306 Aldine Westfield Road, Humble. Free. bromeliadsocietyhouston.org
Have you ever wondered which among all these incredible sculptural delights pop the eyes of expert growers?  At my request, BS/H's  Cherie Lee sent in the pictures below with descriptions of the aspects that are going to immediately draw the eye of bromeliad specialists from here and beyond. 

Left: Aechmea egleriana   -- unusual and interesting shape but watch out for the spines. Center:
Catopsis  subulat -- small soft leafed plant with graceful bloom, less common here. Right: Neoregelia 'Wild 
Blue Yonder' -- easy to grow & propagate genus, small to large forms with colorful, variegated foliage.
Left: --Quesnelia mammorata 'Rafael Oliveria' -- striking variegation and form. Center: Tillandsia 
tectorum -- beautiful fuzzy Tillandsia, not easy to grow here because needs bright but dry habitat.
Right: x Sincoregelia 'Gallactic Warrior' - easy to grow with colorful variegated foliage
- - - -  
DAYLILIES

As anyone who has read my columns for even a short time knows well, I am a HUGE fan of daylilies.  Choose the right ones and you can have beautiful daylily borders (left, below, low-growers), spectacular tall color spikes and rainbows of color blooming in the garden from spring through late fall. 



Not all daylilies look and act alike, and some are better than others for this area. The trick is to buy from local experts who, as you might guess, are almost always members of our numerous daylily societies and/or local growers.  Hit up these sales for the best possible advice and plants for this area.  
  • SAT., APR. 29: HOUSTON HEMEROCALLIS SOCIETY (DAYLILY) SALE, 9am-1pm, 5705 Pinemont Dr. ofts.com/hhs/
  • SAT., MAY 13: 'DAYLILY DESIRE' HORTICULTURAL & DESIGN SHOW, 1-3pm, Gethsemane Lutheran Church, 4040 Watonga Ave. Free. Houston Area Daylily Society and Houston Hemerocallis Society event.  ofts.com/hhs.
  • SAT., MAY 13; DAYLILIES & OTHER PLANTS SALE, 10:30 am-sell out, Gethsemane Lutheran Church, 4040 Watonga Ave., . Houston Area Daylily Society event. 713-864-0452.
  • SAT., MAY 13: BRAZOSPORT DAYLILY SOCIETY PLANT SALE & FLOWER SHOW, 1-4pm, St. Mark's Lutheran Church, 501 Willow Dr., Lake Jackson. Free. 281-413-4844
  • SAT., MAY 20: LONE STAR DAYLILY SOCIETY 23rd ANNUAL FLOWER SHOW & SALE. 10am-4pm Sale; 1-4pm Show. Epiphany Lutheran Church, 5515 W. Broadway, Pearland.  Free. lonestardaylilysociety.org; peskine@comcast.net;  713-882-9958.
  •  SUN., MAY 21:  PAYNE'S IN THE GRASS DAYLILY FARM ANNUAL OPEN GARDEN & SALE.  9-5, 2130 O'Day Road, Pearland, Tx. 77581.  Free.  paynesinthegrassdaylilyfarm. com; 281-485-3821 or 713-419-6661
With this many events on the calendar, do you doubt this is one of our most popular easy-gardening flowers?

AND NOW . . . PLUMERIAS . . .

 
Sure to draw the eye of plumeria experts at upcoming events below:
Above, l to r: 'Midnight Sun'; 'Texas Longhorn' (4"); 'Amethyst Meteorite'); 'Twisted Zen' (4"); 'Wah Gor' (3.5")
 
Below l to r: 'Black Purple'; 'Fireblast' (3.5"); J-50 (3.5"); 'Jamaica Fire' (3"); 'Niagara Falls'


Frangipanis. Hawaiian lei flowers. No matter what you call them, these treasures LOVE our area. I made the same "What will excite your experts?" request for picture choices of Paula Furtwangler, Past President of the Plumeria Society of America, which is based right here in Houston.  

Picking up tips from the many experts on hand is just one of the best benefits of attending Plumeria Society of America's regular public events: 
  • May 9, July 11 & Oct. 10 informative meetings, 7:30pm, Cherie Flores Garden Pavilion, 1500 Hermann Dr. (and special sales is to pick up growing tips from the many experts on hand: 
  • SAT., JUNE 10: PLUMERIA SOCIETY OF AMERICA SHOW & SALE, 9:30am-3pm,  Bay Area Community Center 5002 E Nasa Pkwy, Seabrook. Free. theplumeriasociety.org;  281-438-3653
  • SAT., JULY 22: PLUMERIA SOCIETY OF AMERICA SHOW & SALE, 9:30am-3pm, Fort Bend County Fairgrounds, 4310 TX-36, Rosenberg. Free. theplumeriasociety.org;  281-438-3653  
The plumerias pictured here are prized for their unusual coloration, petal shapes and sweet fragrance. You can bet they'll be among the most sought-after choices at PSA sales.  By the way, Paula's the one who hybridized that gorgeous 'Texas Longhorn' plumeria. 

(Is there a Houston Cougar bromeliad, daylily or plumeria? We Coog fans want to know!)

In the meantime, below, Paula warns against some common (even among experts!) growing mistakes.

Brenda's column is based on her 40+ years as the Houston Chronicle's Lazy Gardener. 
Email questions & comments to her at lazygardener@sbcglobal.net


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TEN COMMON PLUMERIA GROWING MISTAKES 
 
by PAULA FURTWANGLER 
Plumeria Society of America
Past President
   
  1. Unless you have a greenhouse, don't try to grow plumerias indoors. The only time they like to be indoors in during dormancy to protect them from freeze. They prefer at least 6 hours of full sun for proper bloom production. 
  2. Do not just snap off a piece and "stick it into the dirt", like the Hawaiians will tell you.  Use a fine tooth pull saw when making cuttings in old, gray wood at least 12" long. Sterilize cutting tools between cuts with alcohol.
  3. Overwatering is bad. No leaves=no water. Wait for dormancy to break before watering.
  4. When no leaves are present, protect the trunk from sunburn; wrap Tin Foil around the exposed branch, shiny side out. If the main trunk is not vertical, wrap exposed area with foil.
  5. If you accidentally break a branch you can graft it right back onto the plant if you act quickly, especially if the branch is still hanging by the outer layer of skin. Align the branch back into place. Wipe away any excess latex and wrap tightly with grafting tape. Then cover the grafting tape with green stretchy tape to keep out sun and moisture. 
  6. Do not put pea gravel on the surface of the soil in pots. Many people think it helps to stabilize a plant but it can cause sunburn and/or rot.
  7. Do not use a saucer under the pot. Let the water run out by putting a few pavers under the pots to allow water to run out. Make sure you have enough drain holes, too.
  8. Don't crowd the plants. Space your plumeria far apart to allow a breeze to flow through the leaves to cut down on the spread of rust. Do not think a seedling will look like the mother plant. They are genetically different.
  9. Go easy on Nitrogen, which causes tall and rangy plants. Use fertilizer with lower Nitrogen content. 
 
You can visit with Paula at the many events listed above.





   
 
 
JOHN'S CORNER                                                   

MINERALS - The Elements and What They Do

Part 20





28) Nickel (Ni) - Nickel is a metal that is in Group 10 of the periodic table which contains what is known as the platinum group metals (palladium, platinum, nickel). Nickel is a silvery white lustrous metal that is malleable, ductile and resists corrosion.

It is found in igneous rocks at 75 ppm, shale at 68 ppm, limestone at 5 ppm, sandstone at 2 ppm, very little in fresh or seawater, soils at 40 ppm, and some marine and land plants at 3 ppm. In mafic rocks like basalt nickel levels can reach 2,000 ppm but varies greatly around the world. 

Nickel occurs in soils mainly at the +2 electrical oxidation state, and readily combines with iron. Organic matter and clay minerals exhibit a strong affinity to absorb nickel. As a result, in some oils and coals nickel can become concentrated.

Nickel is widely used in coins and in the United States our nickel coins are only 25% nickel the rest being copper. Nickel is used over iron to prevent rust (e.g. automobile bumpers), and over brass to make it colorless rather than yellow, it is a component in stainless steel and nickel is a  key ingredient for nickel-iron super alloys used in jet engines. Rechargeable batteries used to be made from nickel (nickel-cadmium) and even shiny decorative handcuffs are nickel-plated.

Combining nickel with aluminum and a dash of boron creates a metal alloy 6 times stronger than steel, which gets stronger as it is heated. Nickel is used in medicine, food, kitchen equipment, along with dyes in ceramic and glass manufacturing.

Nickel is considered a serious pollutant that is often released from metal processing plants or from the combustion of oil and coal (nickel pollution can now be measured in rainwater). Sewage sludge and some phosphorous (P) artificial fertilizers are sources of nickel pollution on agricultural land. Sewage sludge (Bio-solids) can have 800 ppm and the organic matter makes the nickel more mobile.

Too much nickel in the soil disrupts the activity of some enzymes such as dehydrogenases (used in oxidation reactions), urease (used by bacteria, fungi and algae to convert urea into carbon dioxide and ammonia), and phosphatases (used by microbes to make phosphate available to plants).

Animal requirements of nickel have firmly been established, as it is used in RNA in land animals (0.8 ppm). In animals, a nickel deficiency has been linked to; poor growth, lower hematocrit (anemia), depressed oxidative ability of the liver, high newborn mortality, rough/dry coat, dermatitis, delayed puberty, and poor zinc absorption.

In humans, the role of nickel is not firmly established. However, nickel is found in almost every part of the human body. Some studies have shown that small doses of nickel is beneficial in some cases, while high levels of nickel can cause adverse health effects. However, only 10% of the nickel we ingest is absorbed, hence excess nickel is not common. We do know that nickel functions as a co-factor for metalloenzyme's and facilitates gastrointestinal absorption of iron and zinc. We require optimal levels of vitamin B-12 in our tissues for the biological use of nickel in our bodies (See last week's article on cobalt and B-12). Researchers in Taiwan have found that eating lemon or orange peel helps the body remove excess nickel.
 
Gardening and Landscaping Problems Associated with Cobalt (Co)
Nickel in soils is highly mobile as it reacts with humic and fulmic acids (some soluble and some not), and microorganisms affect the solubility of nickel.

Nickel is required by bacteria to fix nitrogen from the air. Nickel is also required by legumes (urease enzymes) to help transport nitrogen atoms from the bacteria into the plant and nickel is required for hydrogen usage.
There is no direct evidence that plants use nickel, however there is lots of indirect evidence. It is now believed that nickel is essential for plants.

Plants grown on nickel deficient soils can reduce seed germination by 70%. The plant Alyssum bertalonii has 300 ppm, while the microbe Rhizopus arrhizus has 1,600 ppm. Over 200 species of plants have been identified as nickel hyper accumulators. The flower Hybanthus floribundus will accumulate as much as 6,000 ppm. In plants, nickel tends to be accumulated in seeds and leaves.

Native plants growing in serpentine derived soils have developed the ability to absorb very large amounts of nickel to over 7,000 ppm, which is a higher concentration than many naturally occurring rock ores. These plants may be useful in bio-geo-chemical prospecting where plants are used to mine or recover elements out of the soil and the plants are then smelted to recover the element, in this case nickel.

Too much nickel in the soil reduces plants absorption of nutrients, disturbs some metabolic processes, and strongly retards root growth. Nitrogen fixation in soil by legume plants is retarded. The most common symptom of nickel toxicity is chlorosis (possible caused by preventing iron absorption).

Some plants like beans and maize are very sensitive to nickel and even watering them with only a 40 ppm solution will kill them. Clover will not grow on soils with 80 ppm nickel or higher while oats will. Increasing pH reduces the absorption of nickel and colonization of plant roots by mycorrhizal fungi prevents plants from absorbing too much nickel.
 
SOURCES: basalt, sewage sludge, coal ash
 








 

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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 
 


 

TUES., APR. 25, HARRIS COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS OPEN GARDEN DAY & HERB SEMINAR:, 9-11am, 3033 Bear Creek Drive. Free .Harris County Master Gardener event. Register: ogd.harrishort@gmail.com

TUES., APR. 25: BENEFICIALS ON THE GARDEN by DR. WILLIAM M. JOHNSON, 6:30-8 pm, AgriLife Extension, Carbide Park, 410
2 Main, La Marque.  Galveston County Master Gardener event. Free. Register: galvcountymgs@gmail.com, 281-534-3413, aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston
 
TUES.-WED., APR. 25-27: FLORESCENCE, 10am-5pm, Houston Museum of Fine Arts, Audrey Jones Beck Building, 5601 Main. Garden Club of Houston & River Oaks Garden Club event. Fees: flohouston.org; florescence@mfah.org; 713-639-7572

WED., APR. 26: FLOWER POWER by CYNTHIA GRAHAM, RN, BSN, Noon-1pm, The Arbor Gate, 15635 FM 2920, Tomball. Free, arborgate.com

WED., APR. 26: EARTH DAY: SUSTAINABILITY AND THE BRAIN SEMINAR, 6-8pm, Green Building Resource Center, 1002 Washington Ave. greenhoustontx.gov/gbrceducation.pdf  

WED., APRIL 26, 2017: JARDIN DE PIEDRAS:  COHABITING WITH PLANTS, 7:30pm, Metropolitan Multi-Services Center, 1475 West Gray. Free. hcsstx.org

THURS., APR. 27: HERBS, 6:30 pm, Barbara Bush
Memorial Library, 6817 Cypresswood Drive Spring. Free Harris County Master Gardener event. hcmga.tamu.edu/Public/docs/2017-green-thumb.pdf ; 281-855-5600­­

FRI. APR. 28: OLEANDER FESTIVAL LUNCHEON, 11:30am, Viewfinders Terrace, Moody Gardens Hotel, Galveston. $35. International Oleander Society event. Checks only received by Apr.19 at IOS, Box 3431, Galveston, TX 77552-0431
 
SAT., APR. 29: 2015 OLEANDER FESTIVAL, 10am-4pm, Betty Head Oleander Garden Park, 27th & Sealy, Galveston. Free. International Oleander Society event. oleander.org.

SAT., APRIL 29: FAIRY GARDEN SEMINARS, 10am, Enchanted Forest, 10611 FM 2759, 281-937-9449; 2pm, Enchanted Gardens, 6420 FM 359, 281-341-1206, both Richmond. $10+. myenchanted.com

SAT. APR. 29: CONTAINER HERB GARDENING by HENRY FLOWERS, 10am, The Arbor Gate, 15635 FM 2920, Tomball. Free. arborgate.com

SAT., APR. 29: SPACE CITY HIBISCUS CHAPTER SHOW & SALE, 1-4pm, East Harris County Activity Center, 340 Spencer Hwy. Pasadena. 

SAT., APR. 29: NATIVE LANDSCAPING CERTIFICATION LEVEL 3 CLASS (Installing and Maintaining Native Landscapes), 8 am-4:30 pm, Kleb Woods Nature Center, 20303 Draper Road, Tomball. $57. Native Plant Society of Texas-Houston Chapter; Register: npsot.org/wp/nlcp; npsot.org/wp/houston/native-landscaping-certification .

SAT., APR. 29: HOUSTON HEMEROCALLIS SOCIETY (DAYLILY) SALE, 9am-1pm, 5705 Pinem ont Dr. ofts.com/hhs/ 
 
SAT., APR. 29: BROMELIAD PLANT SALE, 9am-3pm, West Gray Multi-Service Center, 1475 W Gray. Free. Bromeliad Society / Houston event. bromeliadsocietyhouston.org

SAT.-SUN., APR. 29-30: HERITAGE GARDENERS SPRING GARDEN TOUR & PLANT SALE, noon-4pm Sat., 1-5pm Sun. Start: Marie Workman Garden Center & Briscoe Gardens, 112 W. Spreading Oaks. $12 pre/$15 tour day.
facebook.com/FriendswoodHeritageGardeners ; heritagegardener.org
 
SAT., MAY 1: COLLECTIONS ACROSS THE CREEK & THE NORTH DRY GARDEN, 10am, 20559 FM 359 Road, Hempstead. $15. Garden Conservancy event. Register: peckerwoodgarden.org,  979-826-3232; eventregistration@peckerwoodgarden.org

THURS., MAY 4: STROLLER GARDEN STROLLS, 9-11am, Mercer Botanic Garden, 22306 Aldine-Westfield, Humble. Free. Register: 713-274-4160.

THURS. MAY 4: RAZZLE DAZZLE BASIL by ANN WHEELER, 10am, The Arbor Gate, 15635 FM 2920, Tomball. Free. arborgate.com
 
FRI;, MAY 5: DIVERSITY IN THE LANDSCAPE AT MERCER BOTANIC GARDEN, 11am, 22306 Aldine-Westfield, Humble. Free. Register:  ahaney@clarkcondon.com

SAT. MAY 6: CUT FLOWER GARDEN by SONI HOLIDAY, 10am, Enchanted Forest, 10611 FM 2759, 281-937-9449; 2pm, Enchanted Gardens, 6420 FM 359, 281-341-1206, both Richmond. myenchanted.com
 
SAT. MAY 6: RAZZLE DAZZLE BASIL by ANN WHEELER & CHRIS CROWDER, 10am, The Arbor Gate, 15635 FM 2920, Tomball. Free. arborgate.com

SAT., MAY 6: WATER-WISE GARDENING, 9:30-11:30am, University of St. Thomas, Strake Hall, Rm 107, 3812 Yoakum Blvd. $40. Urban Harvest event. 713-880-5540; urbanharvest.org

SAT., MAY 6:  TOOL TIME HANDS-ON WORKSHOP by HENRY HARRISON, III, AND TIM JAHNKE, 9-11am. Galveston County Master Gardener Demonstration Garden, 4102 Main St, ( Hwy 518), La Marque.  Galveston County Master Gardener event.  Pre-register:  galvcountymgs@gmail.com, 281-534-3413, aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston
 
SUN., MAY 7: RAIN BARRELL & COMPOST BIN TRUCKLOAD SALE ORDER DEADLINE, Houston Green Building Resource Center event. rainbarrelprogram.org/Houston; steve.stelzer@houstontx.gov

TUES., MAY 9: GROWING PLUMERIAS, 7:30pm, Cherie Flores Garden Pavillion, 1500 Hermann Dr. Free. Plumeria Society of America event. theplumeriasociety.org; 281-438-3653 

TUES., MAY 9: FOODSCAPING by BRIE ARTHUR, 7pm, & PECKERWOOD GARDEN TOUR, 5pm, 20559 FM 359 Road 
Hempstead, $10 each. Register: peckerwoodgarden.org

FRI., MAY 9: "FOODSCAPING, PAIRING EDIBLES WITH TRADITIONAL ORNAMENTAL LANDSCAPES by BRIE ARTHUR, 7pm, 20559 FM 359 Road, Hempstead. $10 lecture, $10 Tour. Garden Conservancy event. Register: peckerwoodgarden.org,  979-826-3232; eventregistration@peckerwoodgarden.org

WED.,
MAY 10: WORM COMPOSTING, noon - 2pm, Mercer Botanic Garden, 22306 Aldine-Westfield, Humble. Free. Register: 713-274-4160.
 
THURS., MAY 11: INSECTS IN THE GARDEN, 6:30 pm, Barbara Bush Memorial Library, 6817 Cypresswood Drive Spring. Free Harris County Master Gardener event.  hcmga.tamu.edu/Public/docs/2017-green-thumb.pdf    281-855-5600­­

THURS., MAY 11: THE FOODSCAPE REVOLUTION by BRIE ARTHUR, 7pm, Ina Brundrett Conservation Education Building, Pineywoods Native Plant Center, 2900 Raguet St, Nacogdoches.  936-468-4404 or sullivanfa@sfasu.edu

FRI., MAY 12: BLOOMING BONNETS LUNCHEON, 2:30-4:30pm, Mercer Botanic Garden, 22306 Aldine-Westfield, Humble. $25. Register: 713-274-4160.
 
FRI., MAY 12: ATTWATER PRAIRIE CHICKEN NAT. WILDLIFE REFUGE: PRAIRIE OASIS OF SE TEXAS by TERRY ROSSIGNOL.10 am. White Oak Conference Center, 7603 Antoine. Free. Houston Federation of Garden Clubs event. www.houstonfederationgardenclubs.org

SAT., MAY 13: MOTHER'S DAY MAKE & TAKE FLOWERS/MARKETS, 10am, Enchanted Forest, 10611 FM 2759, 281-937-9449; 2pm, Enchanted Gardens, 6420 FM 359, 281-341-1206, both Richmond. $10+. myenchanted.com 
 
SAT., MAY 13: ART IN THE GARDEN, 10am-3pm, Seminar & FELDER RUSHING, 10am, The Arbor Gate, 15635 FM 2920, Tomball. Free. arborgate.com

SAT., MAY 13: INSTALLING & MAINTAINING NATIVE LANDSCAPES, 8 am-4:30 pm, Kleb Woods Nature Center, 20303 Draper Rd, Tomball. $57. Native Plant Society of Texas-Houston Chapter. Register: npsot.org/wp/nlcp; npsot.org/wp/houston/native-landscaping-certification.

SAT., MAY 13: 'DAYLILY DESIRE' HORTICULTURAL & DESIGN SHOW, 1-3pm, Gethsemane Lutheran Church, 4040 Watonga Ave. Free. Houston Area Daylily Society and Houston Hemerocallis Society event.  ofts.com/hhs.
 
SAT., MAY 13; DAYLILIES & OTHER PLANTS SALE, 10:30 am-sell out, Gethsemane Lutheran Church, 4040 Watonga Ave., . Houston Area Daylily Society event. 713-864-0452.
 
SAT., MAY 13: BRAZOSPORT DAYLILY SOCIETY PLANT SALE & FLOWER SHOW, 1-4pm, St. Mark's Lutheran Church, 501 Willow Dr., Lake Jackson. Free. 281-413-4844

SAT., MAY 13: RAIN BARREL & COMPOST BIN TRUCKLOAD SALE. Green Building Resource Center.  
SAT., MAY 13: PECKERWOOD GARDEN OPEN DAY, 10am-2pm tours, 20559 FM 359 Road, Hempstead. $10. Garden Conservancy event. peckerwoodgarden.org, 979-826-3232; eventregistration@peckerwoodgarden.org 
       
TUES., MAY 16: INSECTS IN THE GARDEN, 6:30pm, Spring Branch Memorial Library, 930 Corbindale. Free Harris County
Master Gardener event. hcmga.tamu.edu/Public/docs/2017-green-thumb.pdf. 281-855-5600

TUE., MAY 16: SOUTH AFRICAN IMAGES by PHYLLIS & DICK McEUEN, 7:30pm, West Gray Multi-Service Center, 1475 W Gray.  Free. Bromeliad Society / Houston event. bromeliadsocietyhouston.org

THURS., MAY 18: INSECTS IN THE GARDEN, 6:30pm, Freeman Branch Library, 16616 Diana Lane . Free Harris County Maste Gardener event. 281-855-5600; hcmga.tamu.edu/Public/docs/2017-green-thumb.pdf
  
FRI., MAY 19: NATIONAL TROPICAL BOTANICAL GARDEN PLANT CONSERVATION & RESEARCH by CHARLES R. 'CHIPPER" WICHMAN, JR., 20559 FM 359 Road, Hempstead. $10. Garden Conservancy event. peckerwoodgarden.org, 979-826-3232; eventregistration@peckerwoodgarden.org

FRI.-SUN., MAY 19-21: BROMELIAD SOCIETY / HOUSTON SHOW & SALE, Show 2-5pm Sat.;11am-4pm Sun., Sale noon-4pm Fri., 9am-4pm Sat. & 11am-3pm Sun., Mercer Botanic Gardens, 22306 Aldine Westfield Road, Humble. Free. bromeliadsocietyhouston.org
 
SAT., MAY 20: MINI SUCCULENT OR HERB GARDEN, 10am, Enchanted Forest, 10611 FM 2759, 281-937-9449; 2pm, Enchanted Gardens, 6420 FM 359, 281-341-1206, both Richmond. myenchanted.com

SAT., MAY 20: SPACE CITY HIBISCUS CHAPTER SHOW & SALE, 1-4pm, East Harris County Activity Center, 340 Spencer Hwy. Pasadena.

SAT., MAY 20: LONE STAR DAYLILY SOCIETY 23rd ANNUAL FLOWER SHOW & SALE. 10am-4pm Sale; 1-4pm Show. Epiphany Lutheran Church, 5515 W. Broadway, Pearland.  Free. lonestardaylilysociety.org; peskine@comcast.net;  713-882-9958.

SAT.,, MAY 20: INSECTS IN THE GARDEN, 10am, Maud Smith Marks Library, 1815 Westgreen Blvd. Katy. Free Harris County Master Gardener eve nt. hcmga.tamu.edu/Public/docs/2017-green-thumb.pdf ; 281-855-5600
 
SAT, MAY 20:  HOME FRUIT GROWERS TOUR, 9am-noon. Start: Galveston County Master Gardener Demonstration Orchard & Garden, 4102 Main St. (Hwy 517), La Marque. Free.  galvcountymgs@gmail.com, 281-534-3413, aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston

SUN., MAY 21:  PAYNE'S IN THE GRASS DAYLILY FARM ANNUAL OPEN GARDEN & SALE.  9-5, 2130 O'Day Road, Pearland, Tx. 77581.  Free.  paynesinthegrassdaylilyfarm. com; 281-485-3821 or 713-419-6661

TUES.,, MAY 23, HARRIS COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS OPEN GARDEN DAY & INSECTS SEMINAR, 9-11:30am, 3033 Bear Creek Dr. Free. Harris County Master Gardener event. Register: ogd.harrishort@gmail.com

 SAT., MAY 27: PECKERWOOD GARDEN FRIENDS OF PECKERWOOD DAY, 10am-2pm tours, 20559 FM 359 Road, Hempstead. $10. Garden Conservancy event. peckerwoodgarden.org, 979-826-3232; eventregistration@peckerwoodgarden.org

THURS., JUNE 1: STROLLER GARDEN STROLLS, 9-10am, Mercer Botanic Garden, 22306 Aldine-Westfield, Humble. Free.
R egister: 713-274-4160.

SAT. JUNE 3: TOMATO CONTEST, 10am, The Arbor Gate, 15635 FM 2920, Tomball. Free. Categories and Guidelines online, arborgate.com

THURS., JUNE 8: PROPOGATION & SEED SAVING, 6:30pm, Barbara Bush Memorial Library, 6817 Cypresswood Dr., Spring. Free. Harris County Master Gardener event. hcmga.tamu.edu/Public/docs/2017-green-thumb.pdf ; 281-855-5600­­

THURS., JUNE 8: IS REDBUD THE NEXT CRAPE MYRTLE by DENNIS WERNER, 7pm, Ina Brundrett Conservation Education Building, Pineywoods Native Plant Center, 2900 Raguet St, Nacogdoches.  936-468-4404 or sullivanfa@sfasu.edu

SAT., JUNE 10: PLUMERIA SOCIETY OF AMERICA SHOW & SALE, 9:30am-3pm,  Bay Area Community Center 5002 E Nasa Pkwy, Seabrook. Free. theplumeriasociety.org;  281-438-3653

WED., JUNE 14: CARNIVOROUS PLANTS, noon-2pm, Mercer Botanic Garden, 22306 Aldine-Westfield, Humble. Free. Register:
713-274-4160.

THURS., JUNE 15: PROPOGATION & SEED SAVING, 6:30pm, Freeman Branch Library, 16616 Diana Lane. Free. Harris County Master Gardener event. hcmga.tamu.edu/Public/docs/2017-green-thumb.pdf; 281-855-5600

SAT., JUNE 17: PROPOGATION & SEED SAVING, 10am, Maud Smith Marks Library, 1815 Westgreen Blvd. Katy. Free. Free. Harris County Master Gardener event. hcmga.tamu.edu/Public/docs/2017-green-thumb.pdf; 281-855-5600
 
TUES., JUNE 20: PROPOGATION & SEED SAVING, 6:30pm, Spring Branch Memorial Library, 930 Corbindale. Free Free. Harris County Master Gardener event. hcmga.tamu.edu/Public/docs/2017-green-thumb.pdf; 281-855-5600
 
WED-THURS., JUNE 21-22: CULTIVATING THE OUTDOOR CLASSROOM WORKSHOP, 8am-3pm, Gregory Lincoln Education Center, 1101 Taft St. $50. Urban Harvest event. 713-880-5540; urbanharvest.org

TUES., JUNE 27, HARRIS COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS OPEN GARDEN DAY & PROPOGATION & SEED SAVING SEMINAR, 9-11:30 am, 3033 Bear Creek Dr. Free. Harris County Master Gardener event. Register: ogd.harrishort@gmail.com

TUES., JULY 11: GROWING PLUMERIAS, 7:30pm, Cherie Flores Garden Pavillion, 1500 Hermann Dr. Free. Plumeria Society of America event. theplumeriasociety.org; 281-438-3653

THURS., JULY 13: A BR IGHT SPOT IN THE HEART OF TYLER by GREG GRANT, 7pm, Ina Brundrett Conservation Education Building, Pineywoods Native Plant Center, 2900 Raguet St, Nacogdoches.  936-468-4404 or sullivanfa@sfasu.edu
 
SAT., JULY 22: PLUMERIA SOCIETY OF AMERICA SHOW & SALE, 9:30am-3pm, Fort Bend County Fairgrounds, 4310 TX-36, Rosenberg. Free. theplumeriasociety.org;  281-438-3653

THURS., AUG. 10: THE GREATER ATLANTA POLLINATOR PARTNERSHIP: A MODEL OF URBAN POLLINATOR CONSERVATION by JENNY CRUSE SANDERS, 7pm, Ina Brundrett Conservation Education Building, Pineywoods Native Plant Center, 2900 Raguet St, Nacogdoches.  936-468-4404 or sullivanfa@sfasu.edu
 
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

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

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., 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
 
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

If we inspire you to attend any of these, please let them know you heard about it in . . .  
THE LAZY GARDENER & FRIENDS NEWSLETTER! 
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EDITOR'S NOTE:

We try to pick our spots carefully in terms of which issues to take a stand on for the sake of our community. The issue below is one that is near to our hearts in great part because the location of the W.G. Jones State Forest is right down the street from the location where this newsletter is published. We consider ourselves and many of our readers to be stakeholders in this effort to preserve the state owned forest for the sake of current and future generations of both people and wildlife. Please do whatever you can to support this grassroots effort. Thanks!

SAVE JONES STATE FOREST

On March 10, 2017, State Senator Brandon Creighton, the areas representative, introduced Senate Bill 1964 to authorize the use or lease of land within the Jones State Forest. Senator Creighton has publicly stated this legislation was introduced at the request of Texas A&M University System, which has provided few details on the project.

Please sign the petition below to express your support for stopping S.B. 1964 and preserving Jones State Forest. We have been told it would be most helpful to be able to deliver this petition with 10,000 signatures when we travel to Austin to try to stop this bill from advancing beyond the State Senate.

https://www.change.org/p/brandon-creighton-save-jones-state-forest?recruiter=227777056&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=share_facebook_responsive&utm_term=mob-xs-58408-no_msg

For more information about what else you can do visit:  http://www.savejonesstateforest.com/




 
                                             


                                                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 5/01/17)
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