Gardening Newsletter
Sep 19, 2019

Dear Friends,

Here is the 309th 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. (John is with Nature's Way Resources ). We also have a great supporting cast of contributing writers and technical specialists who will chime in and tweak away regularly. We would love to keep receiving your input on this newsletter, comments, suggestions, questions. Email your thoughts to: lazygardenerandfriends@gmail.com. Thanks so much for your interest.
 
Please sign yourself up to receive this newsletter by clicking this link: "Join Our Mailing List" . We will never sell or share our mailing list to protect the privacy of our subscribers.

Enjoy!

HISTORY INSPIRES, BENEFITS
OUR GARDENS TODAY

BY BRENDA BEUST SMITH
Our two guest experts today present a fascinating look at how the past and present are so intimately connected when it comes to gardening.

  • Well-known horticultural lecturer Jean Fefer generously shares her expertise and love of biblical gardening with plant lovers. In our Spotlight Article below she takes a look at how one can easily incorporate meaningful plantings from biblical times (geographically-speaking) in either special sites, or just throughout a landscape. Don't miss this preview of her free talks Thurs., Oct. 3, in Katy and Fri., Oct. 11. (Details on both follow Jean's article).

  • Heidi Sheesley, owner of Treesearch Farms, will speak Fri., Oct. 4, 9am at the Thurs.-Fri.,Oct. 3-5, 77th Annual Bulb & Plant Mart at Church of St. John the Divine, 2450 River Oaks Blvd. gchouston.org
Houston has benefited from many outstanding women horticulturists, but if I had to pick one as our "Wonder Woman," it would be Heidi Sheesley, right. She had been involved in garden efore I started garden writing (about 40 years). But I quickly learned she was a truly valuable resource.

Gardening was very different then from now. When Heidi opened Treesearch Farms as a wholesale grower in 1982, we planted mostly nationally-marketed imports from points north, east & west, varieties often weakened our intense heat/drought, monsoon rains and sporadic deep cold periods.
Weak plants attract insects and, as a subtropical Gulf Coast pocket, we have a bountiful supply. Chemicals provided the only relief which is why, back then, we ranked as one of the nation's leaders in sales of pesticide, insecticides, fungicides, etc.

Many other folks were moving here en masse, especially from northern areas. They wanted to plant their same familiar, mostly nationally-publicized, flowers and shrubs. Nurserymen may have loved natives and other hardy-for-us plants. But they had to stock what customers demanded. And they had to have them in bloom for best sales. At that point, most of our retail plants came from West Coast growers, who were able to supply them when we started shopping in February.

The steadily-increasing -- albeit still small -- group of ecology-minded gardeners continued to experiment with, and push for, hardier plants from our native populations and worldwide climates similar to ours (I used to call these "Gulf Coast Hardies").

The problem was getting better-for-us plants into the retail trade. Heidi was tough enough, determined enough and generous enough to hang in there when times got tough. She was totally committed to getting more low-maintenance plants into our gardens.

A true gardeners' "guardian angel," Heidi extended her community support to giving talks, helping groups with events, donating plants galore to public projects and -- best of all -- experimenting with new-to-us prospective “finds” promoted by area experts. Then she introduced the successful ones into the retail trade and helped promote them through her above activities.

And this didn’t stop with ornamentals. Local "edibles" experts across the Houston area were experimenting with a wide range of fruit and nut tree varieties that actually like us and could easily handle our challenging soil, climate and insect populations. Heidi and fellow Treesearch expert, the late Bill Rhode, helped test and move successful ones into retail trade, including many we now take for granted.
  
So, when Heidi speaks, avid gardeners listen, including not only yours truly, but gardeners-in-the-know all over this area and beyond. The plants listed below will be among those she wishes gardeners here would try. They're among those she will will detail in her Fri., Oct. 4, 9am, Bulb Mart lecture:
GLORIOSA LILY
(Gloriosa rothschildiana)
 A long time staple in the Treesearch Farms’ gardens – stunning and rare! You must find a place in the semi-sunny part of your garden for this jewel.
GORDLINIA
(Gordlinia grandiflora)
Beautiful summer blooming ornamental tree that is love at first sight. Also called Fried Egg tree, White flowers with bright yellow centers appear all summer long. Great alternative to ever picky Dogwood.
INDIAN PINK
(Spigelia marilandica )
This native plant is often described as having one of the “most beautiful flowers in the world!” Another staple in the Treesearch Farms’ gardens – shade to partial shade – rare in the trade.
ALICE STAUB AMENONE
(Anemone sp.)
Another rarity – yet this anemone survives Houston’s heat! Will slowly colonize in the right spot – a beautiful addition to every garden.
SALICFOLIA
BEAUTIBERRY
(Callicarpa salicifolia) Prized for spring-to-fall pink bloom clusters, even more than berries. Bushy growth, morning sun. 6'+. Bees love! Great understory plant
HIMALAYAN BUDDLEIA
( Buddleia crispa)
Unique silver foliage and dusty pink blooms make this buddleia different from all the rest. Good drainage is a must
– so worth it!
(Note: the Bulb & Plant Mart is a project of the Garden Club of Houston and proceeds are used to finance GCH's many community projects ) :

THURS.-SAT., OCT. 3-5: HOUSTON BULB & PLANT MART, 5-7pm Thurs., 9am-5pm Fri, 9am-2pm Sat. Church of St. John the Divine, 2450 River Oaks Blvd. Garden Club of Houston event. gchouston.org/bulb-plant-mart-info/
* * *
  Biblical plants (modern versions), l to r, rue and two from Jean's
garden, Citrus medica (etrog) and Ceratonia siliqua (carob) .

BIBLE GARDENS (PLANTS OF THE BIBLE)
By JEAN FEFER
Harris County Master Gardener / Lecturer
 
It is exceptional a country the size of Israel, which comprises most the “Land of the Bible,” supported over 2,600 plant species. The country is 1/2 desert.
 
The Bible mentions about 110 plants by name or description. Since the Old Testament was written originally in Hebrew and Aramaic, after 1,000 years of oral transmission, it is a challenge to figure out which plant one is actually talking about in a particular passage. 
 
With so many translations, discrepancies depend on translators’ horticultural knowledge or lack thereof. Modern botanical knowledge give a more accurate biblical plant identification. General climactic conditions have scarcely changed in the last millennia, leading to some confidence in plant identification. Even so, a fair number of plants may never be specifically identified.
 
Ancient Israelites’ life revolved around agriculture. One would not find root vegetables (turnips or beets) used in the Bible text. They do not lend themselves to parables.
 
Wild edible herbs are found Bible text, such as the mustard seed parable (Matthew 17:20). Important fruit and nut tree gardens included date palm, olive, fig, walnut and almond. Many religious laws centered on agriculture!
 
Any Bible garden site has to take into account climate similarities and differences compared to the Holy Land. Possible specific focuses:
  • Herbs/condiments and uses now and then: Eg., flax is used now a health supplement. In biblical times it was grown for linen clothing. 
  • Flowers? Lily and rose are the only two flowers named in the Bible. But lily, a generic name, applies to other flowers of the region, most grown from bulbs.
  • Important trees that anyone familiar with the Torah or the Bible immediately recognizes as important then and now?
 
My own choice is to study more unusual plants found in the text. I do not have a Bible Garden as such but I do grow:
  • ·Etrog tree (Citrus Medica) (Leviticus 23:40). This primitive lemon, still grown in Israel today, is used as a ritual item for the Judaic High Holy Days. It produced fruit in 4 years from seed of a fruit produced in Israel about 15 years ago. 
  • A small Carob tree that appears in the prodigal son parable (Luke 15:16). I’m waiting for it to produce some pods. 
  • Rue -- a pretty shrublike plant with yellow flowers, but I find the odor and taste a bit off-putting.
  • Olive trees -- I donated my five trees to the Bible Garden at the Mt. Carmel Labyrinth and Garden in Freeman’s Town. 
  • My myrtle froze but I will plant another since it is involve in Judaic ritual.
 
I recommend:
  • “Plant of the Bible and How to Grow Them” by Allan A.Swenson.
  • "Plants of the Bible” by Michael Zohary is a good source for biblical significance of plants
*. *. *

NOTE: Jean will expand on Bible Gardens:
  • THURS., OCT. 3: BIBLICAL GARDENS by JEAN FEFER, 10 am, MUD Building, 805 Hidden Canyon Dr, Katy. Free, Nottingham Country Garden Club event. ncgctx.org

* * *
 LOOKING FOR CLUB SPEAKERS & PROGRAMS?
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Brenda's column in the LAZY GARDENER & FRIENDS HOUSTON GARDEN NEWSLETTER
is based on her 40+ years as the Houston Chronicle's Lazy Gardener
CLICK HERE for PDFs OF PAST LG&F NEWSLETTERS
* * *
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  • Type event notices in our EXACT format right into email ( (no pdfs) and it will probably run in next issue. Attached Word docs ok, but slow process. Typed right in email best.
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* * *
BOOK REVIEW:
SICKER, FATTER, POORER – The Urgent Threat of Hormone Disrupting Chemicals to Our Health and Future and What We Can Do About It , by Leonardo Trasande, MD, MPP, 2019, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishers, ISBN: 978-1-328-55349-2

In his newsletter we often talk about the link between the soil, microbes, plants and our health. Especially the values of growing our own fruits and vegetables. This book is about using the fruits and vegetables we love, to be healthy and beat disease.

Equally important is avoiding many common products that contain toxic chemicals, weather in our home, garden or our food. I found this book to be a great summary of many of the items we have talked about in this newsletter for years. This book is for those whom want to avoid expensive medical bill, save money and have a healthier lifestyle.

From the Amazon website:

“A leading voice in public health policy and top environmental medicine scientist reveals the alarming truth about how hormone-disrupting chemicals are affecting our daily lives—and what we can do to protect ourselves and fight back.” 
“Lurking in our homes, hiding in our offices, and polluting the air we breathe is something sinister. Something we’ve turned a blind eye to for far too long. Dr. Leonardo Trasande, a pediatrician, professor, and world-renowned researcher, tells the story of how our everyday surroundings are making us sicker, fatter, and poorer.
 
Dr. Trasande exposes the chemicals that disrupt our hormonal systems and damage our health in irreparable ways. He shows us where these chemicals hide—in our homes, our schools, at work, in our food, and countless other places we can’t control—as well as the workings of policy that protects the continued use of these chemicals in our lives. Drawing on extensive research and expertise, he outlines dramatic studies and emerging evidence about the rapid increases in neurodevelopmental, metabolic, reproductive, and immunological diseases directly related to the hundreds of thousands of chemicals that we are exposed to every day. Unfortunately, nowhere is safe.
 
But, thanks to Dr. Trasande’s work on the topic, and his commitment to effecting change, this book can help. Through a blend of narrative, scientific detective work, and concrete information about the connections between chemicals and disease, he shows us what we can do to protect ourselves and our families in the short-term, and how we can help bring the change we deserve”. 
* * *
2019 Organic Gardening Workshop

2019 Organic Gardening Workshop brought to you by MicroLife, Natures Way Resources & Arbortrue.

Read more
www.youtube.com
Have You Tried . . .
  DWARF HIROME CHERRY
( Prunus jacquemontii ‘Hirome’ )
In early spring, Deep pink buds open to medium pink flowers that literally carpet entire branches of this petite 4' x 6' flowering cherry as the leaves emerge. Ornamental-only red fruit appear in summer. Likes full sun to part shade, Well adapted to the heat of the Deep South and not too fussy about light or soil conditions. Blooms on OLD wood, so prune (if necessary) right after flowering.
DWARF HIROME CHERRY is carried by Nature’s Way Resources ( Map ).
Or . . . contact our sponsor, Montgomery Pines Nursery in Willis, our other
sponsors below or your neighborhood nurseryman for possible sources.

* * *
LAZY GARDENER & FRIENDS
 HOUSTON GARDEN NEWSLETTER
CALENDAR EVENTS
GARDEN/PLANT EVENTS ONLY
Events are in Houston unless otherwise noted. No events are picked up from newsletter, etc.
Individual events must be submitted in exact format below to lazygardener@sbcglobal.net

FRI., SEPT. 20: HOLISTIC GARDENING WORKSHOP by Joseph Novak, Ph.,D. 10am-noon, 6 Fridays-Oct. 25, Rice University. $325. Betty & Jacob Friedman Holistic Garden, Biosciences at Rice and Garden Club of Houston event. Register: glasscock.rice.edu/community
 
SAT., SEPT. 21: GARDENING FOR HUMMINGBIRDS & BIRDS CLASS by JIM MAAS, PAT CORDRAY & KATHRYN COURTNEY, 10am, Maas Nursery, 5511 Todville Rd., Seabrook. $45. 281-474-2488, maasnursery.com
 
SAT., SEPT. 21: ANNUAL WILDSCAPES WORKSHOP NATIVE PLANT EVENT, 8am-3:30pm; Anderson-Clarke Center, Rice University. $45 before Aug. 31. Native Plant Society of Texas/Houston Chapter event. npsot.org/Houston

SAT., SEPT 21,: GROW YOUR OWN FALL VEGETABLES by FORT BEND COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS, 9-11am, Bud O'Shieles Community Center, 1330 Band Rd., Rosenberg. fortbend.agrilife.org/grow-your-own/; 281-342-3034; brandy.rader@ag.tamu.edu.

SAT. SEPT. 21: T-BUD GRAFTING OF CITRUS & FRUIT TREES by NANCY LANGSTON-NOH, 9-11 am; TURNING DIRT INTO SOIL – CREATING AN IDEAL SOIL by JIM GILLIAM, 1-3 pm, AgriLife Extension Office, Carbide Park, 4102-B Main St./FM 519, La Marque. Free. Galveston County Master Gardener event. Register: galvcountymgs@gmail.com , 281-309-5065, aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston

SAT., SEPT.21: Q&A WITH HARRIS COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS, 10:30am-12:30pm, Maud Smith Marks Library, 1815 Westgreen Blvd., Katy. Free. 713-274-0950; hcmga.tamu.edu

SUN., SEPT. 22: TIDBITS FROM 50 YEARS WITH DAYLILIES by Hershal Theilen, 2-3pm. Klein United Methodist Church, 5920 FM 2920, Spring. Cypress Creek Daylily Club event. Free. cypresscreekdaylilyclub.simplesite.com

SUN., SEPT. 22: Reservation deadline for Tues., Sept. 24: HARRIS COUNTY MASTER GARDENER OPEN GARDEN DAY, 10-11:15am, Weekley Community Center, 8440 Greenhouse Rd., Cypress. Register: ogd.harrishort@gmail.com  

WED., SEPT. 25: CACTI IN HABITAT PART II by DAVID VAN LANGEN, 7:30 pm, at the Metropolitan Multi-Services Center, 1475 West Gray. Houston Cactus & Succulent Society event. Free. hcsstex.org

SAT., SEPT. 28: 14" METAL HANGING BASKET CLASS by JIM MAAS & PAT, 10am, Maas Nursery, 5511 Todville Rd., Seabrook. $35. 281-474-2488, maasnursery.com

SAT., SEPT 28: LEAGUE CITY GARDEN CLUB GARDEN WALK: "UNDER THE MAJESTIC OAKS," 10am-4pm. Tickets $15. leaguecitygardenclub@gmail.com; leaguecitygardenclub.org.
 
SAT. SEPT. 28: HERBS FOR THE GULF COAST by NANCY LANGSTON-NOH and BRIANA ETIE, 9-11 am, AgriLife Extension Office, Carbide Park, 4102-B Main St./FM 519, La Marque. Free. Galveston County Master Gardener event. Register: galvcountymgs@gmail.com , 281-309-5065, aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston

SAT. SEPT. 28: RAINWATER HARVESTING by NAT GRUESEN, 10:30 am-12:30 pm, Friendswood Public Library, 416 S. Friendswood Dr., Friendswood.   Free. Galveston County Master Gardener event. Register: galvcountymgs@gmail.com , 281-309-5065, aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston

SAT., SEPT. 28: WOODLANDS LANDSCAPING SOLUTIONS, 9am - noon, Recreation Center, Rob Fleming Park, 6464 Creekside Forest Dr., The Woodlands. Free.  thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/environment
 
SAT., SEPT. 28: ORCHID CARE 101, 9am–11am, Mercer Botanic Gardens , 22306 Aldine-Westfield, Humble. Free. Register: 713-274-4160.

SAT. SEPT 28: NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY OF TEXAS/CLEAR LAKE CHAPTER FALL PLANT SALE, 8am-Plant Overview, 9am-noon plant sale. University of Houston Clear Lake – Environmental Institute of Houston , 2700 Bay Area Blvd. npsot.org/wp/clearlake/

SAT., SEPT. 28: DAYLILY AND PERENNIAL PLANT SALE, 10-2pm. Wunderlich Farm Market, 18218 Theiss Mail Route Rd. Klein. Cypress Creek Daylily Club event. Free.   cypresscreekdaylilyclub.simplesitecom

SAT., SEPT. 28: COCKRELL BUTTERFLY CENTER FALL PLANT SALE & FAMILY EVENT, 9am-noon, Houston Museum of Natural Science, 5555 Hermann Park Dr. hmns.org/fall-plant-sale, 713-639-4742.

MON, SEPT. 30: WALLER COUNTY MASTER GARDENER 2019 TREE SALE PRE-ORDER DEADLINE. Pre-order pick-up Oct 26. txmg/wallermg/treesale, Facebook Waller County Master Gardeners; 979-826-7651 x3068.

TUES. & THURS., OCT. 1-NOV. 12, FALL 2019 FORT BEND COUNTY MASTER GARDENER CLASS, 9am-11am, AgriLife Extension office, 1402 Band Rd., Rosenberg. Register: fbmg.org, 281-633-7033 or mmcdowell@ag.tamu.edu .

WED., OCT. 2: MONARCH BUTTERFLIES by CHRIS ANASTA, 9-11 am , Clear Lake United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall, 16335 El Camino Real. Gardeners By The Bay event. Free.

THURS., OCT. 3: BIBLICAL GARDENS by JEAN FEFER, 10 am, MUD Building, 805 Hidden Canyon Dr, Katy. Free, Nottingham Country Garden Club event. ncgctx.org

THURS.-SAT., OCT. 3-5: HOUSTON BULB & PLANT MART, 5-7pm Thurs., 9am-5pm Fri, 9am-2pm Sat. Church of St. John the Divine, 2450 River Oaks Blvd. Garden Club of Houston event. gchouston.org/bulb-plant-mart-info/

THURS.-SAT, OCT. 3-5: NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY OF TEXAS 2019 FALL SYMPOSIUM, South Shore Harbour Resort & Conference Center, League City. Register: npsot.org/wp/symposium2019/

SAT., OCT. 5: VISIT WITH RANDY LEMMON, 11am-1 pm., Wabash Feed and Garden, 4537 N. Shepherd. Free, 713-863-8322, wabashfeed.com

SAT., OCT. 5: SPRING BRANCH AFRICAN VIOLET CLUB ANNUAL PLANT SALE, 10am-4pm, Judson Robinson Jr. Community Center, 2020 Hermann Park Dr. Free. 281-682-1073, cseverson57@comcast.net

SAT., OCT. 5: HEALTHY LANDSCAPES = HEALTHY WATERWAYS CLASS, 8am - Noon, The Woodlands Emergency Training Center, 16135 IH-145 South, The Woodlands. Free. Register: thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/environment
 
SAT., OCT. 5: POLLINATOR FESTIVAL, 10am–4pm, Mercer Botanic Gardens, 22306 Aldine-Westfield, Humble. Free. 713-274-4160.

SAT., OCT. 5: HIBISCUS CLASS W/HIBISCUS GRAFTING by JIM MAAS & JOE MILLER, 10am, Maas Nursery, 5511 Todville Rd., Seabrook. $35. 281-474-2488, maasnursery.com

SAT., OCT 5: MONTGOMERY COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS 2019 FALL PLANT SALE, 8am Sale Preview, 9am-noon Sale. Agrilife Extension Building, 9020 Airport Rd, Conroe. Free. 936-539-7824; mcmga.com

TUES., OCT. 8: GROWING PLUMERIAS, 7-9pm, Cherie Flores Garden Pavilion, 1500 Hermann Drive. Free. Plumeria Society of America event. theplumeriasociety.org

TUES., OCT. 8: MAKE HOUSE A HOME WORKSHOP USING PLANTS & FLOWERS FROM GARDEN by BETTY LAHIRI, 9am, Shenandoah Municipal Complex, 29955 I-45 North, Shenandoah. The Woodlands Garden Club event. Free. thewoodlandsgardenclub.org

WED., OCT. 9: SURPRISINGLY SPOOKY, MARVELOUSLY MYSTERIOUS PLANTS, noon– 2pm, Mercer Botanic Gardens , 22306 Aldine-Westfield, Humble. Free. Register: 713-274-4160.

THURS., Oct.10: BEHIND GARDENLINE SCENES by RANDY LEMMON, 7pm, Cherie Flores Pavilion,1500 Hermann Dr. Rose Society event. Free. houstonrose.org

FRI., OCT. 11: PLANTS OF THE BIBLE by JEAN FEFER, 11:30am, Jim & JoAnn Fonteno Senior Education Center, 6600 Bissonnet St., Free. pct3.com/Senior-Centers/Jim-JoAnn-Fonteno-Senior-Education-Center

SAT. OCT 12: GALVESTON COUNTY MASTER GARDENER FALL PLANT SALE, 9am-1pm; SALE PREVIEW, 8am, Galveston County Fair Grounds, Jack Brooks Park-Rodeo Arena, Hwy 6 & Jack Brooks Road, Hitchcock. Free. galvcountymgs@gmail.com, 281-309-5065, aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston/index.html

SAT. OCT 12: GALVESTON COUNTY MASTER GARDENER FALL PLANT SALE, 8-8:50am-Overview; 9am-1pm-Sale. Galveston County Fair Grounds, Jack Brooks Park-Rodeo Arena, Hwy 6 & Jack Brooks Rd, Hitchcock. Free.  galvcountymgs@gmail.com , 281-309-5065, aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston/index.html

SAT., OCT. 12: FRUIT TREE CLASS by JIM MAAS, PAT CORDRAY & PAUL NESTRA, 10am, Maas Nursery, 5511 Todville Rd., Seabrook. $35. 281-474-2488, maasnursery.com

SAT., OCT. 12: FORT BEND MASTER GARDENERS VEGETABLE-PLANT SALE, 9am-noon, Bud O’Shields Community Center, 1330 Band Rd.
https://fbmg.org/files/2019/09/2019Fall-V-H-Sale-Plant-List-VeryShort.pdf

MON. OCT 13: BASICS OF BOTANY by ANITA TILLER, 6:30-9pm, Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, 2929 Woodland Hills, Kingwood. Lake Houston Gardeners. Free. lakehoustongardeners.org 

TUES., OCT. 15: UNDERSTANDING BROMELIADS by DENNIS CATHCART,7pm,Multi-Service Center, 1475 West Gray. Bromeliad Society/Houston event. Free. bromeliadsocietyhouston.org

THURS., OCT. 17: KATY PRAIRIE UPDATE by WESLEY NEWMAN, 6:45-8:30pm; Amer ican Red Cross, 27000 Southwest Fwy. Free. Native Plant Society of Texas/Houston Chapter event.npsot.org/Houston

SAT., OCT 19:: TEXAS ROSE RUSTLERS FALL CUTTINGS EXCHANGE & Q&A by DR. WILLIAM C. WELCH & GREG GRANT, 9am-3pm, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 414 E. McAlpine St., Navasota. Free. texasroserustlers.com

SAT.-SUN, OCT. 19-20: HOUSTON BONSAI SOCIETY FALL SHOW, 9am-5pm Sat., 10am-5pm Sun., Memorial City Mall. houstonbonsaisociety.com

WED., OCT. 23: PROPAGATION OF HAWORTHIA by WALLY WARD, 7:30 pm, at the Metropolitan Multi-Services Center, 1475 West Gray. FREE. Houston Cactus & Succulent Society. www.hcsstex.org

FRI.-SAT., OCT. 25-26: HOUSTON ARBORETUM FALL NATIVE PLANT SALE, 9am-4pm, 120 West Loop North. Free. houstonarboretum.org; 713-681-8433

SAT. NOV 2, TEXAS ARBOR DAY, 1pm – 4pm, Mercer Botanic Gardens, West Side Arboretum, 22306 Aldine-Westfield, Humble. Free. 713-274-4160.

SAT., NOV. 2, MONTGOMERY COUNTY MASTER GARDENER OPEN GARDENS, 9-11:30 am, AgriLife Extension Office, 9020 Airport Road, Conroe. Free. 936-539-7824, mcmga.com

SAT., NOV. 2: BULB CLASS by J JIM MAAS & MARGARET CHERRY, 10am, Maas Nursery, 5511 Todville Rd., Seabrook. $45. 281-474-2488, maasnursery.com

SAT., NOV. 2: MONTGOMERY COUNTY MASTER GARDENER OPEN GARDENS, 9-11:30 am, AgriLife Extension Office, 9020 Airport Road, Conroe. Free. 936-539-7824; mcmga.com
 
FRI., NOV.8: CREATING A BIRD-FRIENDLY COMMUNITY by ANNA VALLERY, 10am, First Christian Church, 1601 Sunset Blvd. Houston Federation of Garden Clubs event. Free. houstonfederationgardenclubs.org

WED. NOV. 13, GARDENS (MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS COLLECTIONS), noon–2pm, Mercer Botanic Gardens , 22306 Aldine-Westfield, Humble. Free. Register: 713-274-4160.

SAT., NOV. 16: MINIATURE FAIRY GARDEN CLASS by JIM MAAS, PAT CORDRAY & BRENDA HESSE, 10am, Maas Nursery, 5511 Todville Rd., Seabrook. $45. 281-474-2488, maasnursery.com

WED., Nov. 20: CACTI IN HABITAT PART III by DAVID VAN LANGEN, 7:30 pm, Metropolitan Multi-Services Center, 1475 West Gray. Houston Cactus & Succulent Society. Free. hcsstex.org

SAT. DEC. 14, 2019: CHAPPELL HILL GARDEN CLUB CHRISTMAS HOME & GARDEN TOUR, 10am-5pm., Chappell Hill. $20 advance/$25 tour day. 713-562-6191; 979-337-1200

FRI., JAN. 10, 2020: RECYCLE, REDUCE, REDUCE by Native Plant Society of Texas, & PLANT SALE. 10am, First Christian Church, 1601 Sunset Blvd. Houston Federation of Garden Clubs event. Free. houstonfederationgardenclubs.org
  
FRI., APRIL 10, 2020: EXCITING UNDERUTILIZED PLANTS ADAPTABLE TO HOUSTON REGION by ADAM BLACK. 10am, First Christian Church, 1601 Sunset Blvd. Federation of Garden Clubs event. Free. houstonfederationgardenclubs.org
 
FRI. MAY 8, 2020: THINGS I WISH I HAD LEARNED SOONER (ABOUT ROSES) by BAXTER WILLIAMS. 10am, First Christian Church, 1601 Sunset Blvd. Houston Federation of Garden Clubs event. Free. houstonfederationgardenclubs.org

If you're planning to submit an event notice, please read our important
directions at the end of my column above to ensure it actually gets in.
Thanks, Brenda
 
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! 
 
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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, it then 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 which morphed into her Lazy Gardener's Guide on CD. which she now emails free upon request.

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 specialty shows on HoustonPBS (Ch. 8) and her call-in "EcoGardening" show on KPFT-FM. 

For over three decades, Brenda served as 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 Pablo Hernandez 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.
 
 
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 and quality control.
 
Pablo helps this newsletter happen from a technical support standpoint.