Friday (Feb. 11): Registration deadline for the Feb.12  8:30 to 3pm Landscape Design Plus Morning lectures on Principles of landscape design, watermart concepts,Plant Selection, Recommended plants for Harris County landscapes.  Afternoon will have breakout sessions with some hands-on training and topics include micro-irrigation, pruning and planting, and design. Lunch is provided. Speakers inlcude Michael Todd Morrison, Dr. Carol Brouwer, Karen Breneman, and others. Registration and information 281 855 5600. Bear Creek Extension $50.00

Friday (Feb. 11):  “Roses in the Garden” by Mike Shoup and plant sale, 10:30 a.m., Houston Garden Center, 1500 Hermann Drive; free.  Houston Federation of Garden Clubs event, 713-284-1989.

February 12: Spring Volunteer Orientation, 9 a.m. - noon, Houston Arboretum & Nature Center, 4501 Woodway77024; Free. Houston Arboretum & Nature Center, 713-681-8433, www.houstonarboretum.org.

February 12:      "Antique Roses", presented by Clyde Cannon, Texas Master Gardener and Rose Specialist, 11:00am at Martha's Bloomers, 8101 Hwy. 6 Bypass, Navasota, Free.  Reservation deadline Friday, February 11 by calling 936 870-4044 or email: registration@MarthasBloomers.com

Saturday, Feb. 12:  Volunteer Orientation, 10 a.m.-noon, Sheldon Lake State Park & Environmental Learning Center, Park Road 138 off Business 90, 281-456-2800 or www.foslsp.org; free.  Also Feb. 17-19. The newly renovated Learning Center needs volunteers who enjoy working with kids to help them learn to fish, take nature walks looking for herons,  alligators and other wildlife or help with other outdoor activities.  Volunteers work with park staff weekday mornings and many weekends.  Volunteers are also needed for native plant gardening, trail maintenance and other projects.

Saturday, Feb. 12:  Fruit Tree Sale and Program, 8 a.m. "Fruit Trees Available" by Heidi Sheesley; 9 a.m.- 1 p.m. sale, Fort Bend County Fairgrounds, 4310 Highway 36 South; free. Fort Bend County Master Gardeners event, 281-341-7068 or www.fbmg.com

Saturday, Feb 12: Preserving Memories with Flowers, by Gayle Christie of FLORAGE, 10 am, Teas Nursery, 4400 Bellaire Blvd., 713-664-4400; free; no reservation needed;

February 12, Birding Walk, 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m., Mercer Arboretum & Botanic Gardens, 22306 Aldine-Westfield, 281-443-8731. Join Piney Woods Wildlife Society member Al Barr as he leads a walk through Mercer to observe the birds that call the area home. Binoculars, birding guides, comfortable and quiet walking shoes, and no bright colored clothing is recommended. Families are welcome.

February 12th  What You Don't Know About Antique Roses with Marcia & Bob Roenigk on Environment Care/Home Gardener 8 to 9am on KKHT 100.7 call in live 713 260 3601. February 12th "Voices of Water Quality in Texas" with Steve Hupp 4pm to 5pm on KNTH AM 1070

February 13: Rose Pruning Seminar and Demonstration, 1 p.m., Antique Rose Emporium, 10,000 Highway 50 in Independence, 979-836-5548 or www.weareroses.com; free. 

Saturday (Feb. 12): Ask the Rosarians, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., RCW Nurseries, 15809 Tomball Parkway, 281-440-5161; free. Houston Rose Society event, www.houstonrose.org.

Monday Feb.14: "How to Start a Community or School Garden" by Gary Edmondson, 4-6:30 p.m., Urban Harvest, 1900 Kane; free. Register at 713-880-5540. Information at www.urbanharvest.org.  Learn the basic ingredients for a successful community garden, including planning, coordination, finances, and garden design. Gary Edmondson is the School & Youth Gardens Coordinator for Urban Harvest.

Monday, Feb. 14: “Organic Soil Preparation” by John Ferguson, 7-9 p.m., Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, 2929 Woodland Hills Drive in Kingwood; free.  Lake Houston Garden Club event, 832 368-9870.

Feb. 15:  Trees for Suburbia by Kathy Lord, Executive Director with Trees for Houston, 7:00 p.m., Burgess Recreation Center, 4200 Kalwick in Deer Park, Free.  Deer Park Petal Pushers Garden Club meeting, 281-542-9731.

Feb 15:  "The Native Are Friendly Once You Get to Know Them" by Tim Kiphart, Naturalist & Native Plant Nut, 6:30 pm., Harris County Extension ofice, 3033 Bear Creek Dr.  Free.  Master Gardener event.  Call 281-855-5600; access
http://hcmga.tamu.edu

Feb 15:  "The Native Are Friendly Once You Get to Know Them" by Tim Kiphart, Naturalist & Native Plant Nut, 6:30 pm., Harris County Extension ofice, 3033 Bear Creek Dr.  Free.  Master Gardener event.  Call 281-855-5600; access http://hcmga.tamu.edu

Tuesday, February 15, “Roses” by Mei Hoppie and Carol Hellwig, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. ,Mercer Arboretum & Botanic Gardens, 22306 Aldine-Westfield; free but register at 281-443-8731.

Thursday, February 17, "Where Native Plants Fit into the Whole Web of Existence," by Kate Hillhouse. 7 PM at the Houston Arboretum and Nature Center, 4501 Woodway, free. Native Plant Society event. (713)681-3665, or www. npsot.org.

Thursday, Feb. 17, Annual Rose Pruning Demonstration, 7:30 - 9:30 p.m., Houston Garden Center, 1300 Hermann Drive (ISN’T IT 1500?); free.  Houston Rose Society event, 713-236-2600.

Friday Feb.18: "Backyard Orchard III: Hands-On Fruit Tree Pruning" by Dr. Bob Randall and Diana Liga, 4:00-6:00 p.m., Urban Harvest, 1900 Kane; $20. Register at 713-880-5540. Information at www.urbanharvest.org.  Winter is the season for this garden maintenance
activity so critical to healthy trees and successful fruit production.

Saturday, February 19: Preparing Your Garden for Summer" by Greg Harmison, 10 a.m. to noon. Mercer Arboretum & Botanic Gardens, 22306 Aldine-Westfield, 281-443-8731, www.cp4.hctx.net/mercer/index.htm. Reservations requested. Are you ready for summer? You have dusted off your swimsuit and blown up the kids wading pool, but what about your garden? Attend this seminar at Mercer Arboretum to learn what you can do to have a beautiful garden throughout the summer. Please call ahead for reservations.

February 19:  "Fruit & Nut Trees for the Home Gardener", presented by Millie Burrell, M.S. Horticulture, Texas A&M, 11:00am at Martha's Bloomers, 8101 Hwy. 6 Bypass, Navasota. Free.  Reservation deadline Friday, February 18 by calling 936 870-4044 or email: registration@MarthasBloomers.com

Feb. 19: Volunteer Orientation, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Armand  Bayou Nature Center, 8500 Bay Area Blvd., Pasadena (Bay Area Houston),  281-474-2551 or email to _donna@abnc.org_ (mailto:donna@abnc.org) .  Free.

February 19th  What You Don't Know About Tomatoes and Peppers with Heidi Sheesley, Mark Bowen, & Angela Chandler on Environment Care/Home Gardener 8 to 9am on KKHT 100.7 call in live 713 260 3601. February 19th "The Voices of The Urban Forest" with Brad Hendricks 4pm to 5pm on KNTH AM 1070

February 20: "Planting for your Spring Garden" by Greg Harmison, Program Manager of Mercer Arboretum, 2:00 p.m., Houston Arboretum & Nature Center, 4501 Woodway 77024; Free.  Houston Arboretum & Nature Center, 713-681-8433, www.houstonarboretum.org.

Saturday, Feb 19: Ikenobo School of Ikebana Flower Arranging, by LaVerl Daily, 11 am, Teas Nursery, 4400 Bellaire Blvd., 713-664-4400; free; no reservation needed;

Saturday-Sunday, Feb. 19-20:  Spring Home & Garden Show at The Woodlands, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Feb. 19, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Feb. 20, Waterway Marriott Hotel & Convention Center, 1601 Lake Robbins Drive at The Woodlands Mall; seminars and consultations by Brenda Beust Smith and Joni Porter; $8 adults, $6 seniors, children free.  Complete schedules available at www.woodlandsshows.com or 832-274-3944.

February 20: Cold hardy Cycads, palms, and bamboo, Grant Stephensen, 2:00pm, Houston Garden Center, 1500 Herman Drive, 713  649-3535, Free, Texas Gulfcoast Fern Society event.

Monday Feb.21: "How to Start a Community or School Garden" by Dr. Bob Randall, 1-3:45 p.m., Urban Harvest, 1900 Kane; free. Register at 713-880-5540. Information at www.urbanharvest.org. Learn the basic ingredients for a successful community garden, including planning, coordination, finances, and garden design. Dr. Bob Randall has advised over 150 community garden projects since 1987. 

February 24, 2005 - "Fire Ant Biology & Management," presented by Paul R. Nester, Ph. D., Harris County Extension Agent - IPM.  Ft. Bend County Master Gardener monthly programs are held at the Bud O'Shieles Community Center, 1330 Band Road in Rosenberg from 7:15 pm to 8:15 pm.  For more information, call 281.341.7068 or visit www.co.fort-bend.tx.us  or www.fbmg.com.

Friday Feb.25: "Backyard Orchard III: Hands-On Fruit Tree Pruning" by Dr. Bob Randall and Diana Liga, 4:00-6:00 p.m., Urban Harvest, 1900 Kane; $20. Register at 713-880-5540. Information at www.urbanharvest.org.  Winter is the season for this garden maintenance
activity so critical to healthy trees and successful fruit production.

Saturday (Feb. 26):  Tomato/Pepper Sale, 8 am-2 pm. at the Harris County Extension office at 3033 Bear Creek Dr. Tomatoes will include Celebrity, Champion, Carmello, Beefmaster, Bush Early Girl, Carnival, Dona, Goliath and many more. A variety of cherry tomatoes include: Cherry Orage, Juliet (grape type) Sweet Chelsea and Sungold. We are also offering 14 varieties of peppers this year, Big Betha and Golden Summer are Bell Peppers.  Other sweet peppers include LaParie, Sweet Banana  and Giant Marconi.  For those who like it Hot: Jaloro, Red Savina and Native Pequin and more. Basils one of our tastiest herbs is available with Sweet Aussie, African Blue, Thai Siam Queen, Large Leaf Italian, sweet Basil etc. Also offering Green Eggplant, its delicious!

Saturday, Feb. 26: “Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Tomatoes” by Tom LeRoy, 9 a.m.-noon, Extension office, 9020 FM 1484 (Airport Road) in Conroe; $5.  Montgomery County Master Gardener event, (phone? – A Must) or (website – optional). Extension Agent, Horticulturist Tom LeRoy.  He has been an agent since 1977 and worked as advisor with the Montgomery County Master Gardeners for many years.  Hehas observed many trials of different tomatoes as well as other vegetables and flowers.  He is an expert on tomatoes, but doesn’t care for the tomato taste. It will be held at the Montgomery County Extension Office, 9020 FM 1484 (Airport Rd) Conroe Tx . The Date will be Saturday February 26, 2005 at 9am til 12pm. The cost will be $5 at the door. For the $5 you will get two plants of Celebrity Bush Tomatoes and we will have light snacks and drinks.  So to learn the history, culture, selection and care of tomatoes please plan to attend. 

February 26th  "Don't Let Our Future Get Jacked" Live from the TEEN Empowerment Conference at Jefferson Davis High School on Environment Care/Home Gardener 8 to 9am on KKHT 100.7 call in live 713 260 3601. February 26th "The Voices of Youth" Teaching our Kids to Protect our Environment ~ Craig Bauer 4pm to 5pm on KNTH AM 1070

Feb. 26-27:  17th annual Galveston Home Garden & Leisure Show, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sat., Feb. 26, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Feb. 27, Galveston Conventin Center at the San Luis, 56th at Seawall Boulevard in Galveston; adults $5, children $3. www.galveston.com/homeandgardenshow

February 26-27: The Spring Branch African Violet Club will hold their twenty-sixth annual show and plant sale on February 26 & 27, 2005, at the Houston Garden Center,1500 Hermann Drive, Houston, Texas. Numerous African violets and other related plants of all sizes will be offered for sale.  In addition, growing supplies and other African violet related items will also be for sale. Club members will be on hand to answer questions concerning the care and grooming of this popular and easy to grow houseplant. The Show will be open on Saturday, February 26, 2005 from 1-5pm and Sunday, February 27, 2005, from 10am-4pm.  Plant sale hours are Saturday, February 26, 2005, from 9am-5pm, and Sunday, February 27, 2005, from 10am-4pm.  Admission is free and the public is invited to attend.

Tuesday, Feb. 26; Plant Sale, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Green Acres, Extension office, 611 E. Mimosa in Rockport; free.  Aransas County Master Gardener event, 361-790-0103. Lots of interesting plants! Native plants! Unusual plants!  Other items! Come and visit with us! Individuals with disabilities who require an auxiliary aid, service or accommodation in order to participate in the aforementioned activity are encouraged to contact the County Extension Office eight days before the program for assistance.

Email questions to Brenda at brenda@guidrynews.com.
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IF YOU ENJOY BRENDA'S COLUMNS, YOU'LL LOVE HER GARDENING BOOKS —  available online at www.urbanharvest.com.

FROM THE LAZY GARDENER •

• “The Lazy Gardener's Guide” — revised and updated!  First published 10 years ago, The Guide is described by Brenda as “a gardening book in calendar format … so you don't have to think!”  Based on her humorous-yet-informative Houston Chronicle calendar, The Guide details what gardeners should be doing in the garden each month, provides garden designs (using the hardiest plants for our climate) for butterflies, hummingbirds, sun, shade and a variety of other typical suburban situations.  Filled with funny and touching anecdotes from
decades of covering gardening in the Greater Houston/Galveston area.  As the daughter of a BOI, many of these involve Galveston sites and people! 

• GARDENING WITH DOGS.  Co-authored with Frances Burke Goodman, this little booklet offers tips, landscape plans, good plants for dog-challenged areas and lots of fun insights into why dogs do what they do (and how you might just unknowingly be encouraging “bad” behaviors!)

Look for all these River Bend Company books at your neighborhood nursery this fall or online at www.urbanharvest.com.  For a list of potential retail sources, to order by email or to receive an order form, contact River Bend Company at 713-621-3468 or email: RiverBendBook@aol.com.