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Dear Friends,
Here is the 210TH 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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HIBISCUS HOSPITICIDE (AKA MEALYBUGS) . . .
KIAMATA OLEANDER . . . SEED COLLECTION
"Flowers teach us how to live in the present moment. Last week while driving down the street,
I saw an elderly Asian man helping his granddaughter ride her tricycle. He picked a few fuchsia-colored
azaleas to place in her helmet. She was smiling widely, and our eyes met in mutual delight."
-- Lucia Bettler,
"A Feast of Flowers: Nourishment for the Spirit"
"WHITE STUFF ON HIBISCUS" Nothing's more infuriating than when longtime, healthy plants just up-&-die. Linda Elissalde knows. Several of her Crystal Beach deck longtime treasures suddenly fell victim to
"this white stuff," she wrote. They died! Now that nasty "white stuff" has shown up on her 3-year-old hibiscus, above. Time to seek help!
Hibiscus Society of America/Lone Star chapter
's Pat Merritt and Marti Graves easily identified Linda's "unwanted guests" as mealybugs. Periodical outbreaks of both plain mealybugs and pink hibiscus mealybugs (named from the fluid when crushed) are normal here. Both are equally hard to control. Winter cold may temporarily knock them out (go dormant). But often they come right back when it warms up.
Mealybugs, left, are responsible for "that white stuff" on hibiscus like this one belonging to
Linda Elissalde, center. Yellow leaves follow. Must have resource: The Tropical Hibiscus Handbook
When Pat and her late husband Roz saw mealybugs on their (then) thousands of hibiscus, they cut off and sealed affected branches in plastic bags and set them on a hot driveway to roast before throwing away.
An additional stress factor is sooty mold. This mold grows on "honeydew," a sticky substance mealybugs deposit as mealybugs suck plant sap from not only hibiscus but many typical houseplants, bougainvillea, citrus plants, orchids, oleanders, passion flowers and tomatoes, to name just a few. Other insects cause similar conditions.
At Marti's request, Nature's Way Resources' John Ferguson
(see end of newsletter) shared his thoughts about organic controls, including:
- Mealybugs often attack stressed plants. He personally has seen them during hot, dry conditions when he's forced to use city water to compensate for the lack of rain. Plants are often weakened by chemicals added to municipal water supplies as well as to artificial fertilizer.
- Use only organic fertilizers and don't overfertilize. Mealy bugs are attracted to over-fertilized & overwatered plants (easier to chew!)
- Spray (especially new) plants with a hard stream of water to wash off eggs & bugs. A tablespoon or two of fragrance-free dishsoap or Safer Insecticidal soap to two cups of water helps too. Other good occasional sprays are super seaweed solution & good quality compost tea
- Encourage a healthy population of lizards, toads, beneficial beetles, ladybugs, lacewings, many spiders and those wasp species (e.g. red wasps, yellow jackets) that find mealybug a juicy meal.
Pat Merritt adds the society always advises members to isolate new hibiscus for a couple of days. A healthy hibiscus, she says, "can usually fend off a lot of different pests." The Greater Houston area boasts two AHS chapters: Lone Star and
Space City. Photo at left/top of column is from the
Lone Star's Facebook's page.
Don't know the difference between "tropical" and native/hardy hibiscus? If we lived in a colder climate, it would be easier. There tropicals HAVE to be protected over winter; here hibiscus enthusiasts do protect their "special" plants, but many tropicals will survive our usual winters with only minor protection.
- Tropical hibiscus have been hybridized for gorgeous bloom shapes, eye-popping colors and color combinations. Their evergreen are glossy green, shrubs more compact. Many continue blooming all year round, even indoors if given enough light.
- Native/hardy hibiscus may stay green all winter, but usually die back and reappear from the roots in spring. They have flatter, more muted green leaves of varying shapes and sizes; shrubs can grow quite large on some varieties.
But with new hybridizing of natives/hardies, flowers may be double, very fancy and multicolored. As a general rule, native/hardy hibiscus tend to have fewer (or no) insect disease problems here.
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TIPS O' THE TROWEL TO . . .
- LUCIA BETTLER. Lucia, a treasured Houston herbalist and owner of Lucia's Garden, who has an essay "A Feast of Flowers - Nourishment for the Spirit" published in the current issue of Daily Good
- ROBERT NEWDING & ANGE SCHEIBEL. Robert for donating -- and Ange for taking on the task of trying to root cuttings of -- the 'Kiamata' oleander. Looks like she's going to be successful with this beautiful Newding hybrid to go along with the 'Jane Long' oleanders (also from a Newding hybrid) now blooming on Bolivar Peninsula. This is great news for everyone disappointed by the rooting failures of a previously proposed oleander to be named for the young slave girl who accompanied Jane Long on her historic stay on Bolivar Peninsula.
The newly named 'Kiamata' oleander (left) complements the now successful
'Jane Long' oleander (right) and honors Jane's lifelong friend and companion.
Robert is an enthusiastic researcher of not only his deep Galveston Island roots, but of the isle's connection with Texas Independence notables such as Jane Long. Robert's cousin is a direct descendant of Mirabeau B. Lamar, noted Texas Revolutionary leader and Republic of Texas' second President. He generously selected this oleander so delightfully appropriate oleander for a young girl and his research revealed her full name to be Kiamata. 'Kiamata' oleander has prolific long-flowering clusters of delicate pink blooms with softly curving petal edges that create a bell-like effect.
As anyone who has ever tried to root any cuttings knows, it's an iffy adventure from the very start. Ange followed Robert's advice to start the cuttings in the spring, before it gets too hot. She started them in water, tucked into her skylight-lit shower kept cool with air conditioning.
Kiamata stayed with Jane for the rest of their lives. Jane never remarried following the dead of her filibuster husband, Gen. James Long, during the violent period preceding the Texas Revolution. With Kiamata by her side, Jane went on to establish a famous City of Richmond hotel and a thriving Brazoria area ranch as one of Stephen F. Austin "Old Three Hundred" original settlers. With Kiamata's assistance, Jane stored and protected many of the most valuable historical Texas Revolution records and private papers of Austin, Sam Houston, Mirabeau B. Lamar, William B. Travis, etc.
Hopefully, one day, enough 'Jane Long' and 'Kiamata' oleander starts will be available so they can be sold at the annual
Jane Long Festival, the third weekend in October on Bolivar Peninsula, helping the Jane Long Society fulfill its goal of making the Mother of Texas a more familiar persona than just a paragraph in every Texas history book. Details:
Bolivar Peninsula Cultural Foundation.
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GERMINATING SEEDS: In our Spotlight article below, Harris County Master Gardener Becky Lowicki, assisted by HCMG's Linda Persse, offers a preview of just a few of the germination-success tips that will be offered at two free upcoming "
PROPOGATION AND SEED SAVING" events
SAT., JUNE 17: , 10am, Maud Smith Marks Library, 1815 Westgreen Blvd. Katy.
TUES., JUNE 20: 6:30pm, Spring Branch Memorial Library, 930 Corbindale.
Details: 713-274-0950 or
hcmga.tamu.edu/Public/docs/2017-green-thumb.pdf
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
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TOP TIPS FOR SEED SAVING IN THE HOUSTON AREA
By BECKY LOWICKI
Harris County Master Gardener
Seed saving can be one of the most rewarding gardening experiences providing the opportunity for hands-on growth - from seedling to production - of something started on your very own. Best of all - it's free and the process is relatively easy. That said, these tips will to help ensure the best results.
- Timing is everything After identifying healthy plants, check for seed in the bloom. Collect seeds when ripe. If necessary, wrap/bag seedpods to prevent seed loss as it. Remove blossoms. If seeds drop easily, include part of stem. Extract seeds in a bowl or on a paper towel. Some seeds form inside pods that crack open when dry. Citrus seeds should not be dried immediately (see wet processing below).
- Dry processing seeds Let seeds dry in warm place a few days. Shake pods or stems to release. Separate seed from chaff. Seeds will ripen over time. When dry, seeds are ready to plant or store.
- Wet processing seeds from pulp (fruit, tomatoes, etc.): Remove seeds from ripe fruit. Ferment seeds by submerging in water 2-3 days. Drain, wash and dry on waxed paper.
- Seed storage Store seeds in a paper packet. Label with storage date and description. Place packets in a plastic bag or container. Refrigerate until ready for use. Prevent seeds from becoming moist until planting. Check for dormancy, which is how some plants stop seeds from germinating when conditions become unfavorable for growth.
- Wake up! Overcoming dormancy: While not an issue with all seeds, resolve dormancy with heating pads or refrigeration to provide heat or cold needed for seed germination. Plant seeds in shallow soil or even on soil surface to overcome dormancy for plants that require light to germinate and vice versa-planting deeply or covering with a paper towel or cloth those seeds that need darkness to germinate.
- Scratching or filing the seed's surface allows moisture absorption so germination can begin in seeds with hard seed coats. For some plants simply soaking seeds is all that's needed.
- Expect the Unexpected New plants produced from "collected seeds" may not have the same characteristics as the parent plant. Often more variability appears in collected seeds than commercially produced seeds-often yielding something new and your very own creation!
Have fun! Enjoy experimenting with different types of seeds to see true magic in your garden.
-
Green thumbs up to Linda Persse, Harris County Master Gardener, who provided good dirt for this article.
Master Gardeners will be on hand to offer even more specific tips and answer questions
at these two free upcoming "PROPOGATION AND SEED SAVING" events
* SAT., JUNE 17: , 10am, Maud Smith Marks Library, 1815 Westgreen Blvd. Katy.
* TUES., JUNE 20: 6:30pm, Spring Branch Memorial Library, 930 Corbindale.
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MINERALS - The Elements and What They Do
Part 27
35) Bromine (Br) - The name comes from the Greek word
bromos
which means stench. We use the name Bromine when this element exists as the molecule
Br
2
(two atoms of Bromine bonded to each other) and Bromide when a bromine atom is combined with something else (ex. potassium bromide, KBr). Bromine is very reactive and dangerous while bromide is relatively safe.
Bromine is in group 17 on the periodic table and is one of the halogens that is related to iodine, and along with iodine is in the same column on the periodic table as chlorine and fluorine.
Bromine is found in igneous rocks at 3-5 ppm, shale at 4 ppm, sandstone at 1 ppm, in limestone and fresh water at 0.2 ppm, seawater at 65 ppm and in most soils around 5 ppm while coal can have 9-160 ppm. Marine plants have 740 ppm and land plants about 15 ppm. Marine animals have 60-1,000 ppm of bromine while land animals only have 6 ppm.
Bromine is one of only two elements that is a liquid at room temperature. Bromine is very corrosive and in its gas form, attacks the eyes and lungs if breathed. Only 100 mg is a fatal dose for humans while bromide requires over 3,000 mg to promote a response and much more before it becomes toxic.
Bromine is found in all living creatures from microbes to humans. Small amounts of bromine have been found in many natural springs associated with healing properties.
Bromine, its salts, and other compounds are used for dyes, disinfection, pharmaceuticals, agricultural chemicals, and fire extinguishers. The natural dye used to color the royal purple robes and togas worn during biblical times contained bromine atoms.
Bromide was once used to make flame-retardants but as a persistent chemical with hormone disrupting properties in the environment, it has been phased out. Bromine is used in pesticides, plastics, bakery goods, soda medications, hot tub, and swimming pool treatments. In all of these uses, the bromide compounds are hormone disruptors.
For years methyl bromide (bromomethane, CH3Br) was used as a soil fumigant as it killed almost all soil life from nematodes to bacteria and fungi. This dangerous chemical was phased out since it contributed to the destruction of the ozone layer that protects all life on Earth.
Another former use for bromine was ethylene dibromide combined with lead, which was used as an anti-knock ingredient in gasoline.
It was found that the process of ozonising water to sterilize it, coverts any bromide in the water to bromate (BrO3-) which is a carcinogen. Brominated vegetable oil (BVO) is added to citrus drinks and many soft drinks to help suspend the flavorings.
Bromine is used in helping cells in multi cellular animals stick together. They stabilize cellular support structures called basement membranes. Insect studies found those insects low in bromine that 80% of the eggs failed to live. June 5, 2014 Journal Cell, Science News, July 12, 2004, p. 15.
Other studies shave shown that mammals require bromine to form brominated amino acids that are used in various metabolic processes.
Bromine compounds are very common in our environment and problems occur due to its similarity with iodine. Iodine is crucial for proper thyroid function. With dropping levels of iodine in our food supply and increasing levels of bromine compounds, the body is replacing iodine with bromine preventing our thyroids from functioning properly.
One study found that 20% of all hospital admissions for "acute paranoid schizophrenia" were a result of consuming bromine containing products. Too much bromine can cause skin rashes, severe acne, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, fatigue, metallic taste, and cardiac arrhythmias.
For more information on health issues: http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/09/05/another-poison-hiding-in-your-environment.aspx
Gardening and Landscaping Problems Associated with Selenium (Se)
When greenhouses are fumigated with methyl bromide plants can hyper-accumulate this element. Greenhouse grown lettuce has been found with levels of bromine up to 0.1 % of their weight.
Bromine is found in all plant tissues, however, we do not know if it is essential to plant growth and health. Marine plants can concentrate bromine to over 1,000 times of that in seawater.
Some plants are sensitive to bromine (potatoes, spinach, sugar beets, onions, carnations, and chrysanthemum). Other plants can accumulate bromine to over 2,000 ppm without harm (carrots, tobacco, tomato, celery, and melons).
Since bromine is chemically similar to chlorine, it is believed that it can substitute for some of the chlorine requirements of plants.
Symptoms of bromine toxicity resemble excess salt effects, with chlorosis followed by leaf tip necrosis as the most common symptoms.
Sources: Igneous rock dusts from basalt and granite, seaweeds
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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
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HE LAZY GARDENER & FRIENDS HOUSTON GARDEN NEWSLETTER
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
SAT., JUNE 17: FUN WITH FERNS, 10am-noon, Mercer Botanic Garden, 22306 Aldine-Westfield, Humble. $40. Register: 713-274-4166.
SAT., JUNE 17: "NEW CALEDONIA - FASCINATING SCIENTIFIC STUDY & BOTANIC RESEARCH TRIP" by ADAM BLACK, 5pm, 20559 FM 359, Hempstead. $10. Garden Conservancy event. peckerwoodgarden.org, 979-826-3232; eventregistration@peckerwoodgarden.org
SAT., JUNE 17: PECKERWOOD GARDEN VOLUNTEER TRAINING, 9 am, 20559 FM 359, Hempstead. $15. Register: Garden Conservancy event. peckerwoodgarden.org, 979-826-3232; eventregistration@peckerwoodgarden.org
SUN., JUNE 18: PLATYCERIUMS: THE STAGHORN FERNS by LARRY RUCKER, 2pm, Judson Robinson Jr. Community Center, 2020 Hermann Dr. Free. Texas Gulf Coast Fern Society event. tgcfernsoc.org
MON., JUNE 19: HARRIS COUNTY MASTER GARDENER PRECINCT 2 OPEN GARDEN DAY 8:30 - 11am, Genoa Friendship Garden, 1202 Genoa Red Bluff Rd. Free. hcmga.tamu.edu
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
TUES., JUNE 20: BROMELIADS DOWN UNDER 2017 by CHARLES BIRDSONG, 7:30pm, West Gray Multi-Service Center, 1475 W Gray. Free. Bromeliad Society / Houston event. bromeliadsocietyhouston.org
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
SAT, JUNE 24, REPOT YOUR 'SPECIALTY PLANT' WORKSHOP by LINDA GAY, 10am. The Arbor Gate, 15635 FM 2920, Tomball. Supplies fee. arborgate.com
SAT., JUN 24: SHADE GARDENING
, 9-11am, AgriLife Extension Office, 1402 Band Rd, Rosenberg. $15. Fort Bend County Master Gardeners event. fortbend.agrilife.org/gwc/; 281-342-3034; brandy.rader@ag.tamu.edu.
SAT., JUNE 24: PECKERWOOD GARDEN OPEN DAY, AMAZING SUMMER LANDSCAPE. 10am-2pm tours, 20559 FM 359 Road, Hempstead. $10. Garden Conservancy event. peckerwoodgarden.org, 979-826-3232; eventregistration@peckerwoodgarden.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
WED., JUNE 28: BONSAI WITH SUCCULENTS by RAY GONZALEZ, 7:30 p.m., Metropolitan Multi-Services Center, 1475 West Gray. Free. hcsstx.org.
SAT, JULY 1: BUILD YOUR OWN SUCCULENT GARDEN OR REHAB YOUR CURRENT by LINDA GAY, 10am
Supplies fee. The Arbor Gate, 15635 FM 2920, Tomball, a
rborgate.com
SAT., JULY 1: PECKERWOOD INSIDER TOUR, 10am, 20559 FM 359 Road, Hempstead. $15. Garden Conservancy event. Register: peckerwoodgarden.org, 979-826-3232; eventregistration@peckerwoodgarden.org
THURS., JULY 6: STROLLER STROLLS, 9-10am,
Mercer Botanic Garden, 22306 Aldine-Westfield, Humble. Free. Register: 713-274-4160
SAT. JULY 8: CREATE YOUR OWN JUNGLELOW, USING BEAUTIFUL TROPICAL PLANTS THAT CLEANSE YOUR INDOOR SPACE by LINDA GAY, 10am, The Arbor Gate, 15635 FM 2920, Tomball. arborgate.com
SAT., JULY 8: ALL ABOUT GINGERS, 10-11am, Buchanan's Native Plants, 611 E 11th. Free. 713-861-5702;
buchanansplants.com/events
SAT., JULY 8: RAINWATER HARVESTING AND IRRIGATION BY THE HOMEOWNER! 9-11am, AgriLife Extension Office, 9020 Airport Road, Conroe. $5. Montgomery County Master Gardener event. 936-539-7824;mcmga.com
SAT., JUL 8: PECKERWOOD GARDEN OPEN DAY, AMAZING SUMMER LANDSCAPE. 10am-2pm tours, 20559 FM 359 Road, Hempstead. $10. Garden Conservancy event. peckerwoodgarden.org, 979-826-3232;
eventregistration@peckerwoodgarden.org
TUES., JULY 11: GROWING PLUMERIAS, 7:30pm, Cherie Flores Garden P
avillion, 1500 Hermann Dr. Free. Plumeria Society of America event. theplumeriasociety.org; 281-438-3653
WED., JULY 12: EASY EDIBLES, noon-2pm, Mercer Botanic Garden, 22306 Aldine-Westfield, Humble. Free. Register: 713-274-4160.
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
THURS., JULY 13: HOUSTON ROSE SOCIETY ICE CREAM SOCIAL, 7-9pm, Cherie Flores Garden Pavilion, 1500 Hermann Dr. Free. houstonrose.org
SAT., JULY 15: GREAT PEPPER EXTRAVAGANZA - PRESENTATION & TASTING, 9am-Noon, AgriLife Extension Bldg., Carbide Park, 4102 Main (Hwy 519), La Marque. Galveston County Master Gardener event. Free, but pre-register: galvcountymgs@gmail.com, 281-534-3413, www.aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston/index.html
SAT., JUL 15: EVENING AT PECKERWOOD, 5pm, 20559 FM 359 Road, Hempstead. $10. Garden Conservancy event. Register: peckerwoodgarden.org, 979-826-3232; eventregistration@peckerwoodgarden.org
SAT., JULY 15: PATIO, PORCH AND POOL CONTAINER GARDENING by LINDA GAY, 10am, The Arbor Gate, 15635 FM 2920, Tomball. arborgate.com
SAT., JULY 15: TEXAS ROSE RUSTLERS ANNUAL MEET, 9am-4pm, Mercer Botanic Garden, 22306 Aldine-Westfield, Humble. Free. Register: texasroserustlers.com
SAT., JUL 15: FRUIT TREES
, 9-11am, AgriLife Extension Office, 1402 Band Rd, Rosenberg. $15.
Fort Bend County Master Gardeners event.
fortbend.agrilife.org/gwc/; 281-342-3034; brandy.rader@ag.tamu.edu.
WED., JULY 19: OHBA: ORGANICS AT MERCER, 5:30pm-8pm, Mercer Botanic Garden, 22306 Aldine-Westfield, Humble. $15. Register: ohbaonline.org
SAT., JULY 22: GINGERS IN YOUR GARDEN, 10am-noon, Mercer Botanic GardeN, 22306 Aldine-Westfield, Humble. $40. Register: 713-274-4166.
SAT., JULY 22: PLUMERIA SOCIETY OF AMERICA SHOW & SALE, 9:30am-3pm, Fort Bend County Fairgrounds, 4310 TX-36,
theplumeriasociety.org; 281-438-3653, Rosenberg. Free.
SAT., JUL 22: PECKERWOOD GARDEN DAY, 10am-2pm tours, 20559 FM 359 Road, Hempstead. $10. Garden Conservancy event. peckerwoodgarden.org, 979-826-3232; eventregistration@peckerwoodgarden.org
WED., AUG. 2: MERCER STUDENT RESEARCH & EDUCATION SYMPOSIUM, 5:30 pm-8pm, Mercer Botanic Garden, 22306 Aldine-Westfield, Humble. Free. Register: 713-274-4160.
THURS., AUG. 3: STROLLER STROLLS, 9-10am, Mercer Botanic Garden, 22306 Aldine-Westfield, Humble. Free. Register: 713-274-4160.
FRI., AUG. 4: PROJECT LEARNING TREE, 9am-4pm, Mercer Botanic Garden, 22306 Aldine-Westfield, Humble. Free. Register: plttexas.org
WED., AUG. 9: MERCER STUDENT RESEARCH & EDUCATION SYMPOSIUM ENCORE noon-2pm, Mercer Botanic Garden, 22306 Aldine-Westfield, Humble. Free. Register: 713-274-4160.
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
SAT., AUG. 26: GARDEN TO VASE, 10am-noon, Mercer Botanic Garden, 22306 Aldine-Westfield, Humble. $40. Register: 713-274-4166.
THURS., SEPT. 7: STROLLER STROLLS, 9-10am, Mercer Botanic Garden, 22306 Aldine-Westfield, Humble. Free. Register: 713-274-4160.
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. 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., 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.-SAT., OCT. 12-14: 2017 BULB & PLANT MART. Garden Club of Houston event.
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!
& 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
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HE LAZY GARDENER & FRIENDS HOUSTON GARDEN NEWSLETTER
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THIS NEWSLETTER IS MADE
POSSIBLE BY THE FOLLOWING SPONSORS |
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ABOUT US
BRENDA BEUST SMITH
WE KNOW HER BEST AS THE LAZY GARDENER . . .
. . . but
Brenda
Beust Smith is also:
* a national award-winning writer & editor
* a nationally-published writer &
photographer
* a national horticultural speaker
* a former Houston Chronicle reporter
When the Chronicle discontinued
Brenda
's 45-year-old Lazy Gardener" print column a couple of years ago, it ranked as the longest-running, continuously-published local newspaper column in the Greater Houston area.
Brenda
's gradual sideways step from Chronicle reporter into gardening writing led first to an 18-year series of when-to-do-what Lazy Gardener Calendars, then to her Lazy Gardener's Guide book and now to her Lazy Gardener's Guide on CD (which retails for $20. However, $5 of every sale is returned to the sponsoring group at her speaking engagements).
A Harris County Master Gardener,
Brenda
has served on the boards of many Greater Houston area horticulture organizations and has hosted local radio and TV shows, most notably a 10+-year Lazy Gardener run on HoustonPBS (Ch. 8) and her call-in "EcoGardening" show on KPFT-FM.
Brenda recently ended her decades-long stint as Production Manager of the Garden Club of America's
BULLETIN magazine. Although still an active horticulture lecturer and broad-based freelance writer, Brenda's main focus now is
THE LAZY GARDENER & FRIENDS HOUSTON GARDEN NEWSLETTER with John Ferguson and Mark Bowen of Nature's Way Resources.
A native of New Orleans and graduate of St. Agnes Academy and the University of Houston,
Brenda
lives in Aldine and is married to the now retired Aldine High School Coach Bill Smith. They have one son, Blake.
Regarding this newsletter, Brenda is the lead writer, originator of it and the daily inspiration for it. We so appreciate the way she has made gardening such a fun way to celebrate life together for such a long time.
JOHN FERGUSON
John is a native Houstonian and has over 27 years of business experience. He owns Nature's Way Resources, a composting company that specializes in high quality compost, mulch, and soil mixes. He holds a MS degree in Physics and Geology and is a licensed Soil Scientist in Texas.
John has won many awards in horticulture and environmental issues. He represents the composting industry on the Houston-Galveston Area Council for solid waste. His personal garden has been featured in several horticultural books and "Better Homes and Gardens" magazine. His business has been recognized in the Wall Street Journal for the quality and value of their products. He is a member of the Physics Honor Society and many other professional societies.
John is is the co-author of the book
Organic Management for the Professional.
For this newsletter, John contributes articles regularly and is responsible for publishing it.
MARK BOWEN
Mark is a native Houstonian, a horticulturist, certified permaculturist and organic specialist with a background in garden design, land restoration and organic project management. He is currently the general manager of Nature's Way Resources. Mark is also the co-author of the book Habitat Gardening for Houston and Southeast Texas, the author of the book Naturalistic Landscaping for the Gulf Coast, co-author of the Bayou Planting Guide and contributing landscape designer for the book Landscaping Homes: Texas.
With respect to this newsletter, Mark serves as a co-editor and periodic article contributor.
Pablo Hernandez is the special projects coordinator for Nature's Way Resources. His realm of responsibilities include: serving as a webmaster, IT support, technical problem solving/troubleshooting, metrics management, quality control, and he is a certified compost facility operator.
Pablo helps this newsletter happen from a technical support standpoint.
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