Bill and I had the opportunity recently to travel with our good friends Mary Jo and Sam Kruse up through New England to Nova Scotia to see fall color. I was determined to take a break from gardening and just sit back and enjoy. But old reporting instincts are hard to repress and when we hit Nova Scotia, I was blown away by the most incredible hanging basket I've ever seen.

But more on that later.

We flew to Niagara Falls to meet Sam and Mary Jo, who had driven up. It was October, so getting colder up there and moving out of the flowering season and into pumpkin time. I've never seen so many pumpkins. Niagara Falls is, of course, indescribable. If you've never been there, go. It will be worth every cent, I promise. We were headed for higher points and fall color with time limitations so didn't go to the Canadian side where, I hear, the gardens are truly spectacular.

The irony of this trip is that — they say — this was the worst fall color display in history. If that's the case, then maybe it's better I first saw it on a "down" year. I'm not sure my heart could take the real thing if the fiery displays we saw were only mild examples.

When you're married to a head football coach (39 years at Aldine High School in Houston), you don't get to go see fall foliage. So that was my first goal when he retired.

As I said, garden-wise, I decided to take a mental vacation and not be constantly looking for story ideas. It was a good thing overall. I was surprised at how many homes in New York have no gardens at all. Maybe the short growing season makes them less desirable? Or maybe they tend to put their efforts into backyards and not into view-from-the-street displays.

Or maybe it was just the route we took. Beautiful public gardens are fabulous, of course, but I most enjoy looking at the gardens folks in ordinary or even lower-income areas have built around their homes.

They certainly do celebrate fall and Halloween with more yard displays than we do in Texas. Pumpkins are a lot cheaper there too and, I suspect, last longer than they do in our heat. I wish we could do the delightful windowboxes you see in mostly retail windows. Here in Houston, the heat dries these out so quickly and air conditioning keeps windows closed tight so watering is a hassle.

Once we hit New Hampshire, however, and especially Woodstock, we were oohing and aahing around every corner. From there we drove up to Nova Scotia where, I have to tell you, it was a delight a minute. Nova Scotia looks just like it ought to look. I was surprised at the huge Acadian presence. For some reason, I thought all Acadians came to my native Louisiana. We get a rather abbreviated version of their history here. The true story is fascinating. And, of course, the Scottish presence is wonderful.

So I wasn't surprised when we were almost shocked speechless by some magnificent hanging baskets to discover they were under the care of Shirely MacGregor.
The baskets were a wonderful example of godwottery. This funny word, coined by Poet T.E. Brown, means “gardening marked by an affected or elaborate style.” Shirley MacGregor’s incredible hanging baskets qualify for the “elaborate style.”

Shirley's amazing six-plus foot trailing branches loaded of hot pink Wave Petunias hang from the balconies of the Econo Lodge MacPuffin in Port Hastings.
Every spring she orders 36 baskets, 18 inches in diameter (just like the ones we buy at the nursery). The baskets are your everyday plastic variety, with holes for drainage, and plain ol’ potting soil.

Although she uses a variety of spiky and trailing plants in the baskets, they are just incidental compliments to the incredible waterfalls of hot pink Wave petunias. Her regime: daily waterings and, at first, weekly feedings with Miracle Gro. Once the baskets get this large, she ups that to twice weekly feedings.

The massive bloom production is the payoff for regular deadheading — removing all spent and dead flowers. Plants are genetically programmed to produce X number of flowers. This insures adequate production of seed. Once that number has been reached, most plants will either slow or even stop blooming. Removing spent flowers, so they can’t produce seed tricks the plant into continuing to flower.

At first Shirley deadheads weekly. But as her incredible baskets produce more flowers, deadheading may only get done once every two weeks. But she faithfully keeps it up.

True, Nova Scotia’s climate is very different from ours. But with constant watering, feeding and deadheading, there’s no reason why Wave petunias won’t produce here just like they do up there.

The only catch is we have to adjust for our climate, not only with petunias but with other bloomers we associate with spring. Now's the time to plant delphiniums, hollyhocks, larkspur, gerbera and Shasta daisies and, yes, Wave petunias as well as our many beautiful spring wildflowers. They need some cold for seed to germinate and roots to set properly.

• HELP FOR HURRICANE-DAMAGED GARDENS

If you'd like to help, here's one opportunity:

From: Nancy Godshall, Garden Club of America Zone IX Chairman

In August, Hurricane Katrina slammed the Gulf Coast and cut a swath of devastation through life and property. Humanitarian relief has been an urgent focus.

From a horticultural standpoint, the catastrophe includes parks, historic gardens and green space which gave way to surging floodwaters of toxic brine covering 80% of New Orleans for ten days. The greatest natural disaster in US history has left an environmental crisis in its wake when the levees were breached.

Within three weeks, Hurricane Rita inflicted unprecedented damage on coastal cities of Texas such as Beaumont, as millions fled the coast in advance. Many share the belief that early restoration of parks, horticulture and green space is essential to restoring quality of life in these cities.

In response, the eighteen clubs in Zone IX of The Garden Club of America have created the GCA Zone IX Horticulture Restoration Fund under the umbrella of the Greater Houston Community Foundation. Proceeds will be earmarked specifically for restoration of botanic and historic gardens, parks and green space.

Contributions can be sent to:
The GCA Zone IX Horticulture Restoration Fund c/o The Greater Houston Community Foundation 4550 Post Oak Place Suite 100 Houston, Texas 77027

For further information, contact Nancy Godshall,( Zone IX Chairman) (713) 871-8718.

• PLANT CUTTINGS, ETC., FROM BRENDA'S GARDEN

Over the years, I've handed out hundreds of cuttings, seeds, bulbs, etc., from my own garden at horticultural lectures and other events. If you have received any of these, and the plants actually lived, I'd love to hear from you.
Email me your stories and small size pictures!

EMAIL GARDENING QUESTIONS TO BRENDA AT: brenda@guidrynews.com. (Be sure to tell me where you live!)

***

GREATER HOUSTON/GALVESTON/BEAUMONT GARDENING CALENDAR (If your event that is not listed, it was not sent to me in time. I update the calendar with every new column. Send gardening event notices to Brenda at brenda@guidrynews.com.  Events submitted to this column may also appear in the Houston Chronicle Garden Calendar if space permits. These are pretty much printed as submitted.)

Saturday-Sunday (Nov. 19-20): Chrysanthemum Show, 1-4 p.m., Mercer Arboretum & Botanic Gardens, 22306 Aldine-Westfield. Greater Houston Chrysanthemum Society event, 281-444-7804; free.

Sunday (Nov. 20): "Attracting Birds to Your Backyard" by Melissa Geis, HANC Naturalist, 2 p.m., Houston Arboretum & Nature Center, 4501 Woodway,
713-681-8433: www.HoustonArboretum.org;  free.

Sunday (Nov. 20): "Importance of Herbariums in the Study of Ferns” by Dr.
Larry Brown, 2:pm, Houston Garden Center, 1500 Herman Drive, 713-649-3535. Texas Gulf Coast Fern Society; free.

Thursday (Dec. 8): Upper Gulf Coast Citrus Show, 7 p.m., Walter Hall Park Pavilion in League City. Entry deadline: noon, November 28, Extension office,
5115 Highway 3 in Dickinson, 281-534-3414 or http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston;  free.

Thursday (Dec.1): Reservation deadline for Dec. 3 “Growing Your Own Tomatoes from Seed” by Sam Scarcella, 9 a.m.-noon, Galveston County Extension office,
5115 Highway 3 in Dickinson. Master Gardener event, 281-534-3413, Ext. 6, or http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston. 

Friday-Sunday (Dec. 2-4): Kingwood Christmas in the Forest Tour, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 2, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 3, noon-5 p.m. Dec. 4. Call Kingwood Garden Club, 281-358-5844, for sites, ticket prices and locations, and information on a $20 Candlelight Tour on Dec. 2.

Tuesday (Dec. 6): Creative Dish Gardens" by Susan Pietrowski at 12 noon.
Harris County Extension office, 3033 Bear Creek Dr. Master Gardener event. Free to public. Call 281-855-5600 or access http://hcmga.tamu.edu

Wednesday (Dec. 7): “Christmas Decor with Plants and Flowers” by Donna Wilkerson, 9:45 a.m., Amegy Bank, 303 East Main in League City. Kemah Bay Area Garden Club event, 281-339-2367; free.

Thursday (Dec. 8): Upper Gulf Coast Citrus Show, 7 p.m., Walter Hall Park Pavilion, 807 Highway 3 in League City. For entry information, call Galveston County Extension office, 281-534-3413, ext. 6; free.

Saturday-Sunday (Dec. 10-11): Houston Amaryllis Society Sale and Display, 9
a.m.-5 p.m., Houston Garden Center, 1500 Hermann Dr.

Wednesday (Dec. 14):“Creative Holiday Designs” by Claire Lober, Master Flower Show Judge,10 a.m. Amegy Bank of Texas, 303 East Main St. in League City.
League City Garden Club event, 281-535-0999; free.

Thursday (Dec. 15): Thursday (Dec.1): Reservation deadline for Dec. 17 “Organic Gardening in Galveston County” by Diane Norman, 9-11:30 a.m., Galveston County Extension office, 5115 Highway 3 in Dickinson. Master Gardener event, 281-534-3413, Ext. 6, or http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston.

2006------2006------2006------2006------2006------2006------2006

Monday (Jan. 9): “Organic Gardening” by Bart Brechter, 7 p.m., Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, 2929 Woodland Hills in Kingwood. Lake Houston Gardeners event, 832-368-9870.

Tuesday (Jan. 10): “Texas Super Stars” by Carol Brouwer, Ph.D., Master
Gardener, Horticulture agent coordinator, Harris County Extension Service, 9:30
a.m., Jersey Village Civic Center, 16327 Lakeview Drive. Jersey Village Garden Club event, 713-466-6885; $5.

Wednesday (Jan. 11): “Sandhill Cranes” by George Regmund, stewardship biologist with Armand Bayou Nature Center,10 a.m. Amegy Bank of Texas, 303 East Main St. in League City. League City Garden Club event, 281-535-0999; free.

ONLINE COLUMN ONLY!!!!! Friday (Jan. 13): Plant Propagation Workshop Precinct
2 Harris County Master Gardeners Plant Propagation Workshop Series Intermediate Proficiency Level, Houston Garden Center, 1500 Hermann Drive, Houston 77004. Session 1: Seeds & Spores -- 9am – 1pm, Wednesday, January 18, 2006.
Session 2: Cuttings, Stems & Leaf -- 9am – 1pm, Wednesday, January 25, 2006.
Session 3: Grafting & Layering -- 9am – 1pm, Wednesday, February 15, 2006. These workshops are designed for the serious home gardener, garden club member, community garden leader, teacher, master gardener, or hobby propagator, taking the student one step beyond the basics of propagation and into intermediate techniques and tricks of the trade. Each class will include a lecture followed by hands-on practice. Descriptive handouts and all materials will be included.  All students will take home a rich selection of newly propagated materials.

These workshops can be taken as a series or individually. Session One: Seeds & Spores. Become a skillful seed propagator to expand your gardening experience. Learn pre-treatment and pre-germination techniques. This class will include a section on seed collection and storage and propagation of fern and moss spores. Session Two: Cuttings, Stem & Leaf. Learn the difference between softwood and hardwood cuttings, how and when to take cuttings, how to store and transport cutting material, and the proper use of rooting hormones. Session Three: Grafting & Layering. Take the mystery out of grafting and layering by learning t-budding, cleft grafting, and layering techniques for propagation and for correction of plant habit or damage. Learn by doing! You will take a tree you have grafted yourself home to grow and plant. Workshop size is limited. Please register early. Questions? Call 281.991.8437 or log onto our website at http://hcmgap2.tamu.edu. Session 1: ($ 35.00) Registration deadline, Friday, January 13, 2006. Session 2: ($ 35.00) Registration deadline, Friday, January 20, 2006. Session 3: ($ 35.00) Registration deadline, Friday, February 10, 2006. All: ($ 100.00)

Friday (Jan. 13): the registration deadline for Propagation Workshop Series, Session I, to be held 9 a.m.-1 p.m. January 18, Houston Garden Center, 1500 Hermann Drive. Harris County Precinct 2 Master Gardener Event, 281-991-8437 or http://hcmgap2.tamu.edu; $35 per session (session 2 & 3 Jan. 25 and Feb. 15) or $100 for all three sessions.

Tuesday (Jan. 17): The Growing and Identification of Camellias by E. Gregory Davis, 7:00 p.m., Burgess Recreation Center, 4200 Kalwick in Deer Park. Deer Park Petal Pushers Garden Club meeting, 281-542-9731; free.

Wednesday (Jan. 18): Favorite Plants of the Lazy Gardener” by Brenda Beust
Smith: Houston Garden Center, 1500 Hermann Dr, 713-524-5876 ext 332; www.hermannpark.org;  $7.

Friday (Jan. 20): Registration deadline for Jan. 25 Propagation Workshop, 9
a.m.-1 p.m., Houston Garden Center, 1500 Hermann Drive. Harris County Precinct
2 Master Gardener Event, 281-991-8437 or http://hcmgap2.tamu.edu;  $35.

Wednesday (Feb. 8): “Gardening by the Phases of the Moon” by Galveston County Master Gardener Jackie Reeves,10 a.m. Amegy Bank of Texas, 303 East Main St.
in League City. League City Garden Club event, 281-535-0999; free.

Friday (Feb. 10): Registration deadline for Feb. 15 Propagation Workshop, 9
a.m.-1 p.m., Houston Garden Center, 1500 Hermann Drive. Harris County Precinct
2 Master Gardener Event, 281-991-8437 or http://hcmgap2.tamu.edu;  $35.

Saturday (Feb. 11): Fort Bend County Fruit Tree Sale, time to be determined, Bud O'Shieles Community Center, 1330 Band Road, Rosenberg; free. Fort Bend Master Gardeners event, 281-341-7068 or http://fbmg.com;  free.

Wednesday (Feb. 15): "Topic pending" by Mark Bowen: Houston Garden Center, 1500 Hermann Dr.; 713-524-5876 ext 332; www.hermannpark.org.;  $7

Saturday (Feb. 18): “Pocket Gardens — Trend of the Future” by John Floyd, Editor, Southern Living Magazine, University of Houston; free. Limited space; reservations required. For invitation, email your name and address to UHFebruaryEvent@aol.com;  free.

Tuesday (Feb. 21): How to Create the Back Yard of Your Dreams, landscape design by Mr. and Mrs. Bob Beyer, 7:00 p.m., Burgess Recreation Center, 4200 Kalwick in Deer Park, Free. Deer Park Petal Pushers Garden Club meeting, 281-542-9731.

Saturday-Sunday (March 4-5): Spring Branch African Violet Club Show & Sale,
noon-4 p.m., Houston Garden Center, 1500 Hermann Dr., 713-462-4257, www.orgsites.com/bx/sbavc;  free.

Wednesday (Mar. 8): “Planning for Cottage Garden Sale” with sale co-chairmen Judy Huber and Mary Frederick. 10 a.m. Amegy Bank of Texas, 303 East Main St.
in League City. League City Garden Club event, 281-535-0999; free.

Saturday (Mar. 18): Fort Bend County Perennial Sale, time to be determined, Bud O'Shieles Community Center, 1330 Band Road, Rosenberg. Fort Bend Master Gardeners event, 281-341-7068 or http://fbmg.com;  free.

Tuesday (Mar 21): “What's New in Fertilizers” by Bob Patterson and Brian Boy with Southwest Fertilizer, 7:00 p.m., Burgess Recreation Center, 4200 Kalwick in Deer Park. Deer Park Petal Pushers Garden Club meeting, 281-542-9731; free.

Tuesday (April 4): A Garden Club of America Small Flower Show. Presented by the 18 Clubs of The Garden Club of America Zone IX (Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, & Texas), The Omni Hotel, Four Riverway in Houston. 713-871-8181

Tuesday (Apr 18): “A Showing of Many New and Heirloom Plants” by Scott Reeves with Treesearch Farms, 7:00 p.m., Burgess Recreation Center, 4200 Kalwick in Deer Park. Deer Park Petal Pushers Garden Club meeting, 281-542-9731; free.

Sunday (May 7): Daylily Festival, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Payne's in the Grass Daylily Farm, 2137 Melanie Lane, Pearland, 281-485-3821, www.paynesinthegrassdaylilyfarm.com; free

Friday-Saturday (July 1-2): “Celebrate the Jungle,” 9 a.m.-9 p.m., Jerry’s Jungle Tropical Gardens, 712 Hill Road, 281-272-8612 or www.jerrysjungle.com;  free.

Thursday-Saturday (Oct. 12-13-14): 2006 Bulb and Plant Mart. Garden Club of Houston, www.gchouston.org. 

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.