March 11: “Environmental Issues in the Garden” by Linda Whetsell, president, Texas Garden Clubs, Inc., and Ina Brundette, past president, 10:30 a.m., Houston Garden Center, 1500 Hermann Drive; free.  Houston Federation of Garden Clubs event, 713-284-1989.

March 11: deadline for the March 12 Easy Container Gardening Workshop,10 a.m, Antique Rose Emporium, 10,000 FM 50 in Brenham, www.weareroses.com; $40.  Register at 979-836-5548.

March 11-12: Azalea Trail. Start: 2503 Westheimer; $20 for eight stops, $5 each.  Details: 713-523-2483 or www.riveroaksgardenclub.org.

March 12: Flower and Garden Show, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., downtown Brenham, 888-BRENHAM; free. 

March 12:  “Using Your Neighbors’ Waste to Grow Your Garden” by Kevin Topek, 1:30 p.m., Wabash Antiques & Feed, 5701 Washington Ave., 713-863-8322; free. 

March 12: Plant Sale, 8 a.m.-2 p.m., Extension office, 9020 FM 1484 (Airport Road) in Conroe; free.  Montgomery County Master Gardener event, 936-539-7824 or 281-353-9791,

March 12 "Azalea Time" by Margie McKenney, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., and “Early Spring Products” by Foster Watts, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Teas Nursery, 4400 Bellaire, 713-664-4400; free.

Saturday (Mar. 12): March Madness.  This year it will be held from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at McFaddin National Wildlife Refuge.  It's a great event and lots of fun!  The kids all really seem to enjoy it, it's a laid back day where you get to meet lots of new people and maybe even learn a thing or two!  The weather in the past has been just wonderful and we've seen lots of critters out and about even with all the people around.  Demonstrations/Booths will include: Basic Kayaking, Crabbing and Fishing, Firefighting Demos, Retriever Demos, Identifying Wetland Birds, Boat Safety Skills, and more.
 
March 12: March Mart Preview: 10 a.m. to noon. Mercer Arboretum, 22306 Aldine Westfield Road, Humble, TX 77338, 281-443-8731; Free. 

March 12-13: Azalea Trail. Start: 2503 Westheimer; $20 for eight stops, $5 each.  Details: 713-523-2483 or www.riveroaksgardenclub.org. 
   
March 12-13:  “Orchid Journey” show and sale, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Mar. 12, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. March 13, Nessler Center, 21st. Street at 5th Ave. N. in Texas City; $2.  Galveston Orchid Society event, 281-338-4667.  Award-winning plants on display, plants for sale and frequent plant raffles.  Qualified members available to answer growing questions.

March 12-31: André Gandin Scrap Metal Garden Art display, Mercer Arboretum & Botanic Gardens, 22306 Aldine-Westfield, 281-443-8731, www.cp4.hctx.net/mercer ; free.

March 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.

March 14: March Mart Presentation by Suzzanne Chapman, 7 p.m., Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, 2929 Woodland Hills in Kingwood; free. Lake Houston Gardeners event, 832-368-9870. 

March 15:  "Favorite Lazy Gardener Plants" by Brenda Beust Smith, Lazy Gardener Columnist. 6:30 pm, Harris County Extension office, 3033 Bear Creek Dr; Free.  Master Gardener event. Call 281-855-5600. access http://hcmga.tamu.edu


March 15: Water Features in the Garden by Chad Smith with Water in Motion, 7:00 p.m., Burgess Recreation Center, 4200 Kalwick in Deer Park, Free.  Deer Park Petal Pushers Garden Club meeting, 281-542-9731. 

March 15: Registration deadline for the Wednesday March 16 Floral Design Two workshops one in morning, one in afternoon. 9:00 am to 11:30 am 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. Class instruction and hands-on assistance. Flowers and container provided for take home St. Patrick's Day and Easter Arrangement.  Refreshments served.  Bear Creek Extension offices at 3033 Bear Creek Dr.  $50.00 More information 281 855 5600

March 15: "Organic Landscaping Using Ecology Series,” 6:15- 8:45 p.m., Urban Harvest, 1900 Kane; $160. Register at 713-880-5540. Information at www.urbanharvest.org. Develop the landscape you desire with hardy, resourceful plants and features that offer habitat for wildlife, food for people and recreational enjoyment. The course is under the direction of Mark Bowen, author of Naturalistic Landscaping for the Gulf Coast, and includes guest speakers who are experts in horticulture and garden design.

March 16: Urban Harvest's Fundraising Gala, 6:30 p.m., The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa, 111 North Post Oak Lane. Reserve your seat by calling 713-880-5540. Information at www.urbanharvest.org.  Support Urban Harvest's commitment to healthier, greener and sustainable neighborhoods through working with community gardens, urban farmers and outdoor classrooms.

March 16-17 Daylily and Plant Sale.10:00AM-7:00 PM and 10:00AM-4:00 PM. Klein United Methodist Church-5920 FM 2920- Info 281-356-2543. Cypress Creek Daylily Club event.

March 17: Carnivorous Native Plants of Texas by Anita Howlett, 7PM, Houston Arboretum, 4501 Woodway, free.  Native Plant Society event, (713) 681-3665 or www.npsot.org.

March 17-18:  “A Time to Shine” Flower Show, 1-3 p.m. Thursday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday, Southwest Bank, 303 East Main in League City; free.  Gulf Coast Gardeners event, 713-477-6161 or www.gulfcoastgardenersforum.org.

March 18-19: March Mart, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mercer Arboretum, 22306 Aldine Westfield Road, Humble, TX 77338, 281-443-8731; free.  Incredible plant sale featuring every type of plant in home gardens from trees to vegetables, from groundcovers to roses and everything in between.  Wagons available but to be on the safe side, bring your own and come early!

March 19:  "Visions for Brazos Valley Gardens", presented by Dr. Bill Welch, 11:00am at Martha's Bloomers, 8101 Hwy. 6 Bypass, Navasota, free.  Reservation deadline Friday, March 18 by calling 936 870-4044 or email: registration@MarthasBloomers.com

March 19 "New Plants from Monrovia" Rand Hopkins of Monrovia Nursery. 11 a.m. - 2 p.m., Teas Nursery, 4400 Bellaire, 713-664-4400; free.

March 19:  Annual Perennial Sale and Lecture, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Fort Bend County Fairgrounds, Building D, 4310 Highway 36 South in Rosenberg; free.  Fort Bend County Master Gardener event, 281-341-7068 or www.fbmg.com.

March 19-20: 21st Annual Antiques & Garden Festival, 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. March 19, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. March 20, Fairgrounds Pavilion, 851 East Main in Bellville, TX; $5.00, 1-979-865-5618>>

March 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. 

March 24: "Fruit Trees," presented by Ethan Natelson, fruit tree hobbyist.  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.

March 24-27: 5th Annual Antiques & Garden Show, 9 a.m.- 6 p.m. March 24-27, SPJST Hall, 323 East Main, Fayetteville, TX; Admission Free, 1-979-865-5618. 

March 25: Registration deadline for Saturday, (April 2nd)  Spring Copper Topiary Workshop: The Harris County Master Gardeners at Precinct 2 event: at Vaughn’s Nursery 15647 Ave. C, Channelview.  Two sessions are available, 9 am-12 pm or 1 pm-4 pm.  Reservations and prepayment are required.  The $65.00 fee includes a completed copper topiary with plant, class instruction with hands on assistance, the morning session includes a light breakfast, and the afternoon session includes homemade desserts.  Please mail payment to HCMGA 3411 Garth Rd. PMB 202 Baytown, TX  77521, call (281) 991-8437 for more information. 

March 26: "Herbs-From Greenhouse to Garden", presented by Ann Wheeler, founder of Log House Herb Farm, 11:00am at Martha's Bloomers, 8101 Hwy. 6 Bypass, Navasota, Free.  Reservation deadline Friday, March 25 by calling 936 870-4044 or email: registration@marthasbloomers.com

March 26: "Propagation: Starting Your Own Plants in Containers" by Jean Fefer, Ph.D., 9:30 a.m.- noon, Urban Harvest, 1900 Kane; $20. Register at 713-880-5540. Information at www.urbanharvest.org.  A hands-on class to learn to start plants from seeds, cuttings, divisions, and layering. Bring a pair of small pruning shears.  Jean Fefer, Ph.D. is a Harris County Master Gardener, an Urban Harvest Organic Vegetable Specialist, and a graduate of the Master Gardener Specialist Plant Propagation Course.

March 26: Easter Egg Hunt, Face painting, and Easter Bonnet Contest. Hunts for age 8 and under at 10:00am and 2:00pm. Easter Bonnet Contest at 12:00. Antique Rose Emporium, 10,000 FM 50 in Independence. (979)836-5548 or www.weAREroses.com. 

And, just to give you a head start on April (which is even more event packed than March!):  

April 1:  Registration deadline for the Saturday April 2, from 8:30am to to
3pm, Basics of Residential Horticulture  Part 1 Introduction to the science of
gardening with seasonal appropriate information. Topics include Botany, Plant
Diseases, Insects, Lawn Care, Vegetable gardening and recommended plants and
trees for Harris County. Internet resources will be provided and handouts.
Lunch included. More information 281 855 5600 Bear Creek Extension offices. $50.00

April 1:  Plant Sale, 8 a.m.-6 p.m., 206 Lakeshore Drive, El Lago Estates in
Taylor Lake Village; free.  Dig ’n’ Design Garden Club event, 281-326-4400.

April 2: The Angelina County Extension Office and the Angelina County Master
Gardeners are hosting the GREATER EAST TEXAS GARDENING EXTRAVAGANZA on
Saturday, April 2 at Pitser Garrison Civic Center, 606 N. Second Street in Lufkin,
Texas. Guest lecturers include Brenda Beust Smith, Dr. Jerry Parsons, Greg Grant
and Steve Bender. Registration will begin at 7:30 am; program begins at 8:30
am and concludes at 3:30 pm. Early registration is $20 until March 23.
Registration after March 23 or at the door will be $30. A box lunch and refreshments
are included in the registration fee. 634-6414
http://www.go-lufkin.com/mastergardeners

April 2: Ask the Rosarians, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Heirloom Gardens, 12900 Old
Wellborn Road, College Station, 979-793-2888; free. Houston Rose Society event,
www.houstonrose.org.

April 2:  "All About Roses", presented by Gaye Hammond at  Heirloom Gardens,
12900 Old Wellborn Road, College Station, Texas 77845 (11:00 a.m. - noon)

April 2:  Rockport Herb & Rose Society, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Rockport-Fulton High
School Commons, 1803 Omohundro in Rockport; free.  Rockport Herb & Rose Society
Study Group event, 361-729-5046.

April 2: Herbs with Ann Wheeler of Log House Herb Farm, 9:30am, Buchanan's
Native Plants, 611 E 11th, 713-861-5702, www.buchanansplants.com, FREE

April 2:  Herb Fest, 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Garden Center at Beaumont Botanical
Gardens at Tyrrell Park, 6088 Babe Zaharias Drive, Beaumont. Free plant sale,
$5 fee for seminar attendance. Thyme for Herbs Society event, 409-860-0206. 
Judy Griffin, Ph.D., nutritionist, herbalist, aromatherapist, main seminar
speaker; four herb seminars; plant sale of herbs, butterfly and hummingbird plants,
exotic citrus.

April 2, Amphibian Watch Monitoring Training: 6p.m.-8:30p.m. Mercer
Arboretum, 22306 Aldine Westfield Road, Humble, TX 77338, 281-443-8731; $5 fee.

April 2: Plant Sale, doors open 8 a.m., Horticulture-Forest Science Building
front lawn, in College Station; free.  Texas A&M Horticulture Department
event. There will be a ton of plants, including 300 roses of all types (mostly
antiques).  Groups offering plants for sale include Texas A&M Horticulture Club,
Brazos County Master Gardeners, Basye Rose Breeding Program, Horticulture
Graduate Council. Texas A&M Hort Club will sell the following: Texas Superstars,
Maroon & White plants, Texas Natives, Hibiscus, Herbs, perennials, natives from
Professor Joe Novak to support the expansion of his demonstration garden
behind the Horticulture building.  Brazos County Master Gardeners will sell the
following: Herbs, Tomatoes and Pass Along Plants.  Basye Rose Breeding Program
will sell: .ROSES! (Old Garden Roses, some Ralph Moore minis, some Found roses,
and some very hard to find unusual roses like Francis duBrueil and Svr de
Elise Vardon).  Also, there will be about 50 Brugmansias that are F1 hybrids from
some lovely parents--in 3 gallon pots waiting to go to good homes.
Horticulture Graduate Council: Orchids from Yin Tung Wang's orchid breeding program at
the Texas A&M Weslaco Research Center Prices will be excellent.  The roses are
in 3 gallon pots and we'll sell them for $10 a piece.   Joe Novak and David
Byrne, both departmental professors, will be on hand to answer questions.  People
can tour the gardens. 

April 2, Topiary Class, 9 a.m.-noon or 1-4 p.m., Vaughan’s Nursery and
Gardens, 15647 Ave. C in Channelview; $65.  Register at 281-452-7369.

April 2-3: Peckerwood Gardens Open Days, 1-5 p.m., 29571 FM 359 in Hempstead,
979-826-3232, www.peckerwoodgarden.com; $5.

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Wonder why your organization's event isn't listed here?  It's because:
1. it was never submitted to me
2. it wasn't submitted in time.
Send event notices to me at brenda@guidrynews.com.

Brenda

Email questions to Brenda at brenda@guidrynews.com.
------

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.