Brenda's
Garden
by Brenda Beust Smith
(THE HOUSTON CHRONICLE’S LAZY GARDENER)
January 20, 2006
Photo by
Brenda Beust Smith
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One of our
area's best known soil experts, John
Ferguson, recently sent me a wealth of
information improving our lawn and garden
soil. I was only able to use a small portion
his data in my Houston Chronicle Lazy
Gardener column, so I wanted to share the
rest of it with you here. John is with Nature's Way Resources in Conroe (936-273-1200 or 936-321-6990; http://www.natureswayresources.com). Make special note of his remarks on compost tea at the end. You can make this yourself by emptying a bag of dried manure into a burlap bag or old pillowcase. Soak it in a washtub or garbage can filled with water for 24 hours. Then pour it around all your plants. The actual maure can then be worked into the soil around your plants. Or, you can now buy it readymade. JOHN'S NOTES ON IMPROVING YOUR SOIL: Step 1: ORGANIC MATTER, ORGANIC MATTER, ORGANIC MATTER!!! WHY Organic matter? All life and fertility in the soil starts with organic matter. Healthy fertile soils have about 25% by volume of organic matter (8% by weight). Organic matter provides 2 major items for healthy soil; nutrients (in the correct form for plants) and ENERGY. The life in soil from microbes to earthworms all require energy and it comes from the food they eat (i.e. organic matter). When we burn firewood (organic matter) in our fireplace, the carbon in the wood is chemically combined with oxygen from the air creating light and heat (energy). Similarly, when organic matter in the soil is decomposed by microbes and other soil life they biologically combine carbon from the organic matter with oxygen from the air releasing energy that they use to do work (create soil structure, fight soil diseases, release nutrients, etc.). This process or organic matter and soil life promoting plant growth and health is called the “Soil Food Web”. Note: A healthy soil will have 30 carbon (C) atoms in it for every nitrogen (N) atom, hence soils require 30 times as much carbon which is often over looked resulting in increased disease and insect problems.. By using organic matter to get the Soil Food Web Started we get 7 major benefits: 1st. - Disease suppression (competition, inhibit, consume). The good microbes will out compete the bad guys (pathogens) for food resources, others will produce chemicals that prevent pathogens from growing (sort of l ike antibiotics for humans) and some of the god microbes eat the bad guys (no one has ever developed resistance to being eaten). 2nd. - Improve nutrient retention in soil The soil life, from microbes to earthworms will absorb nutrients into their body preventing them from leaching during our heavy winter rains. 3rd. - Mineralize nutrients and make them available to plants As the soil life lives and dies as part of the natural cycle nutrients are released to plants in the correct forms and at the correct times. 4th. - Improve soil structure (more water and oxygen) The soil life will break apart clay and compacted soils and also hold sandy soils together allowing water and air to enter the soil. 5th. - Decomposition of toxic materials (phenols, tannins, pesticides) Microbes in the soil produce powerful enzymes that will breakdown toxic compounds from barks to dangerous pesticides and even many forms of hazardous waste. 6th. - Produce plant growth promoting compounds The soil life produces hormones that stimulate plant growth. Auxins (produce by earthworms) are the most powerful root stimulator known to mankind. 7th. - Improve crop quality (flavor, nutrients, yield) Many studies have show that as the organic material in the soil increases plants grow better and faster, produce more and larger fruits and flowers. Also many of the microbes produce chemicals called flavinoids. These flavinoids are absorbed by plant roots and increase the good flavor of our fruits and vegetables. In Houston with our warm and moist climate organic matter is used up quickly and must be replaced. So what kind or types of organic matter can we use to improve the soil? Leaves – Easy and cheap to obtain and it is Nature’s way of mulching the soil. I used to pay my son and neighbor hood kids a dime a bag to go around the subdivision with their wagons and collect bags of leaves from the curb for me. Some of it I spread on the lawn and mowed with my lawnmower (works best with a sharp blade) and chopped up the leaves so they would not blow. Then I used the bagger option on the mower to collect the chopped up leaves. The chopped up leaves would pack and spread nicely around plants making beautiful and wonderful mulch. Grass clippings – This time of year the grass blades tend to be drier and when mixed with leaves make a good mulch (collect the same as above). Any extra leaves and grass I used as feedstock for my compost bins. Coffee grounds, food waste, egg shells, etc. – At my house we generate about 3 gallons a week of material. This includes paper towels, all peelings, etc. All feedstock’s for my compost bin. In my vegetable garden I often used to dig a trench where my spring vegetable garden would be and bury the wastes. By spring they have decomposed and my soil was loose and fertile ready to plant my spring transplants. Coffee shops like Starbucks also give away there coffee grounds for free. Good source of nitrogen rich material that earthworms love. Prunings form plants and bushes – if they are small in diameter my lawnmower would chop them up. Larger material I ran through a electric chipper (before I started my business) and they made a rich mulch. The reason deer, squirrels, beavers, etc. eat branches and limbs are for the nutrients in them. Small branches and limbs have a lot of the cambium layer that is rich in protein and is excellent food for the soil. Hair – Most barber shops give away the clippings and will save them for you. This is a rich source of protein and soil food or feedstock for composting. All protein rich materials are full of vitamins and nitrogen and other nutrients. Feathers – A little more work but very rich in protein and calcium needed for healthy soil. When I went hunting I used all the feathers in my compost bins. Fish heads – again all my fish waste from heads and scales went into the compost bin or was buried in the garden. Manure and bedding – Horse stables give the material a way. In can be buried, used as mulch or composted first. Peanut hulls – some restaurants give it away when they sweep the floors and will save and give it to customers. Seaweed – great source of trace elements (all products from the ocean). Our soils around Houston are very deficient in trace minerals. Trace elements for the oil (plants) are kind of like vitamins for humans, we do not need a lot, but if we are missing them we get sick. For plants it is increased disease and insect problems. Pecan shells – several are companies shell pecans and give away the shells. Best as a mulch or in compost bins. Wood chips – many local tree companies chip the branches and limbs and will often give customers the chips. They can be used as mulch or composted first. Rich source of nutrients as they are the smaller branches and limbs. Sawdust – best to compost first as they have a very high C:N ratio. Can be buried if the soil will not be used for many months as they take a while to break down. Fireplace ashes – small amounts can be used around the garden and yard and applied directly as there is a lot of nutrients. However, ashes tend to be very alkaline and too much can cause problems. Best use is feedstock for composting first. NOTE: Sheet composting: If an area is not to be used for a while (6-12 months), then the material can be applied in layers 6-12” thick and allowed to rot in place. A easy way to treat large areas. Tree trimming chips (i.e. Native Mulch) are one of the best ways to break up heavy clay soils. In a years time a 12” layer of these chips will turn gumbo into loose rich soil. STEP 2: Nutrients Trace elements are a limiting factor for plant health and growth in our area. Our soils are naturally low in trace elements and our high rainfall and warm climate cause all our nutrients to leach out of our soils. Good source are: greensand, granite dust/sands, organic fertilizers (cottonseed meal, fish meal, seaweed). Along the gulf coast some of our soils are high in sodium (Na) hence avoid high salt materials like poultry and cow manure, spent mushroom substrate (mushroom compost), etc. as they can turn soils into hardpan. High sodium salts will stunt the growth of many plant species and cause other nutrients to become locked up in the soil and unavailable to plants. A few good organic fertilizers available in our area are: Microlife, Gardenville, and Lady Bug brands. Concentrated liquid seaweed and fish emulsion fertilizers make good foliar feeds and great for watering pots and hanging baskets improving their soils. Again look for ocean based products and many brands to choose from. (Note: Cold processed fish emulsions and seaweeds have little odor and more nutrients from trace elements to amino acids and growth hormones. The heat from cooking destroys many of the beneficial compounds). Lastly, a good compost is the single best soil food as it does all the above. However it is buyer beware as we do not have labeling laws in Texas and a lot of garbage is sold as compost and mulch. See below! Several retailers and I put together the following handouts to help educate customers on what one gets in bags based on price point. COMPOST TYPES Compost can be broken into three basic types based on its quality and usage. These are Biological, Commercial, and Industrial. Biological – This is the highest quality compost and therefore the most beneficial in improving soils, preventing disease, making compost tea, etc. This is the product that experienced gardeners often call black gold because it is so valuable to plants. The bag will have holes in it so that air can enter and the beneficial microbes can breath and be kept alive. This compost will typically sell retail for $10-12 per bag (40 lb.). Commercial – This is a middle grade of compost made from sewage sludge, construction debris, etc. It will be in a sealed bag and may have a sour or stale odor. The better manure based composts may be found here. This compost will typically sell retail for $3.99-7.99 per bag (40 lb.). Industrial – This is the lowest grade of products called compost. It is made from industrial wastes like boiler ash. It is often very black and sometimes will rub off in your hand. It often contains fillers like sawdust and rice hulls which are chemically burned black from the industrial waste. It may be extremely alkaline and high in toxic salts. This product will typically sell retail for $1.99-3.99 per bag (40 lb.). MULCH TYPES Mulch can be broken into three basic types based on its quality and usage. These types are Biological, Commercial, and Industrial. Biological – This is the highest quality mulch and therefore the most beneficial in improving soils, preventing disease, protecting plants, etc. It has a low carbon-to-nitrogen ratio so it does not steal nitrogen from the soil and weaken or stress plants. It has been composted to kill weed seeds and pathogens. Composted “native mulch” and “coarse screened compost” are examples of this class of mulch. The bag will have holes in it so that air can enter allowing the beneficial microbes to breath and be kept alive. This mulch will typically sell retail for $4-6 per bag (2 cubic feet). Commercial – This is a middle grade of mulch made from tree barks (pine, hardwood, etc.) and is the most common. It will be in a sealed bag and may have a sour, stale or strong odor. It has a high carbon-to-nitrogen ratio and robs soil of nitrogen and other nutrients. Tends to float off in a heavy rain or develop unsightly molds and fungal mats and may attract fire ants or termites. This mulch will typically sell retail for $2-3 per bag (2 cubic feet). Industrial – This is the lowest grade of products called mulch. It is made from industrial wastes like old pallets, construction wood, etc. It is often chemically burned black with industrial waste and will sometimes rub off in your hand, and it is often dyed various colors. It often contains arsenic from CCA treated waste wood. It has a very high carbon-to-nitrogen ratio and robs nitrogen and other nutrients from the soil for a long time. It may be extremely alkaline and high in toxic salts. This product will typically sell retail for $1-2 per bag (2 cubic feet). COMPOST TEA: This is a new area and lots of exciting research on making and using compost teas. A few area retailers are now selling compost tea concentrates by the gallon. The important part is the tea is only as good as the compost one starts with. I make a special compost just to make teas with for several commercial nurseries that is extremely high in nutrients and good soil microbes. Home compost tea brewers (5 gallon size) will also be available as kit this spring. THANKS, JOHN, FOR SHARING ALL THIS WITH US! There's an old saying: It's better to put a 5¢ rose in a $5 hole than a $5 rose in a 5¢ hole. If your resources (time, energy, money) are limited, focus first on the soil. It will reward you tenfold in the future. BRENDA 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.) Friday (Jan. 20): Registration deadline for January 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 hcmgap2.tamu.edu; $35. Friday (Jan. 20): “History of Crepe Myrtle” by Julie Masters, 10 a.m., Baywind Center, 411 Alabama in League City. Kemah Bay Area Garden Club event, 281-339-2367; free. Saturday (Jan. 21): Urban Harvest Fruit Tree Lecture and Sale, 8:15 a.m. Heidi Sheesley lecture, 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. sale, 1900 Kane, 713-880-5542, www.urbanharvest.org. Thursday (Jan. 26): Registration deadline for January 28 “Growing Peaches & Plums” by Herman Auer, 9 a.m.-noon, Galveston County Extension Office, 5115 Highway 3, Dickinson, 281-534-3413 or aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston. Galveston County Master Gardener Association event; free. Saturday, Jan. 28: Harris County Master Gardener Fruit Tree Sale and Symposium, 8-9 a.m. lecture, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. sale, 10 a.m.-noon, Q&A Pruning and Grafting Demonstrations, Harris County Extension Office, 3033 Bear Creek Dr. Master Gardener event, 281-855-5600 or http://hcmga.tamu.edu; free. Saturday, Jan. 28: Montgomery County Master Gardener Fruit & Nut Tree Lecture & Sale, 8 a.m. lecture, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. sale, Extension office, 9020 FM 1484 in Conroe; 936-539-7824; free. Sunday, Jan. 29: Fruit Tree Seminar by Heidi Sheesley, 11 a.m., The Arbor Gate, 15635 FM 2920, www.arborgate.com; free. Tuesday (Jan. 31): Registration deadline for the February 16-April 6 Galveston County Master Gardener course, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1-5 p.m., Extension office, 5115 Highway 3 in Dickinson, 281-534-3413, ext. 6; $150. Wednesday (Feb. 1): “Spring Herb Tasting with Mary” by Mary Versfelt, 6:30 p.m., Wabash Antiques & Feed, 5701 Washington Avenue, 713-863-8322; reservations required; $10. Wednesday (Feb.1): “Flowers Birds Love” by Kathy Clark, 9:45 a.m., Maegy Bak, 303 E. Main in League City. Kemah Bay Area Garden Club event, 281-339-2367; free. Saturday (Feb. 4): Fruit Tree Seminar & Sale, Seminar, 8 a.m. seminar by Heidi Sheesley, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. sale, Carbide Park, 4102 FM 519, La Marque. Galveston County Master Gardener Association, 281-534-3413 or aggiehorticulture.tamu.edu/galveston; free. Saturday (Feb. 4): “Roses” by Donald Burger, 10 a.m., Buchanan's Native Plants, 611 E 11th, 713-861-5702 or www.buchanansplants.com; free. Sat., February 4: "Roses -- How to grow them" by Rich Boettler, 10 a.m., Q&A with Houston Rose Society Rosarians, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Teas Nursery, 4400 Bellaire Blvd., 713-664-4400 www.teasnursery.com; free. Tuesday (Feb. 7): “Galapogos Islands Conservation” by Karen Breneman, noon, Harris County Extension office, 3033 Bear Creek Dr. Master Gardener event, 281-855-5600 or hcmga.tamu.edu; free. Tuesday, February 7th. "How to Prune Camellia Plants" by Mr. Bob Ross-Houston's Bayou Bend Camellia Expert. 7:30 P.M. at St. Luke's Methodist Church, 3471 Westheimer, Room B151. A Houston Camellia Society meeting. Visitors welcome and free to the public Call Greg Davis- 713-781-1996- for further information. 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. Thursday (Feb. 9): “Plant Propagation” by Jeff McMullan, 7-9 p.m., U of H Cinco Ranch, 4242 S. Mason Rd. Green Thumb Seminar, 281-341-7068 or www.fbmg.com; free. Thursday (Feb. 9): Registration deadline for Saturday, February 11 “The Secrets of Growing Tomatoes” by Sam Scarcella, 9 a.m.-noon, Galveston County Extension Office, 5115 Highway 3, Dickinson, 281-534-3413 or aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston. Galveston County Master Gardener Association event; 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 hcmgap2.tamu.edu; $35. Friday (Feb. 10): Reservation deadline for February 11 “Fruit Tree Funshop” by Tom LeRoy, 10 a.m., Spring Nursery & Landscape, 25252 FM 2978 in Tomball, 281-357-1800; free. Saturday (Feb. 11): Fort Bend County Fruit Tree Lecture and Sale, 8 a.m.-Heidi Sheesley lecture, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. sale, Bud O'Shieles Community Center, 1330 Band Road, Rosenberg; free. Fort Bend Master Gardeners event, 281-341-7068 or http://fbmg.com; free. Saturday, February 11, 2006, 8:00am (lecture); 9am - 1:00pm Sale - Fort Bend Master Gardeners presents its annual "Fruit Tree Sale" at Fort Bend County Fairgrounds, 4310 Highway 36 South , Building "D" (Hwy. 59 at Hwy 36), Rosenberg, Texas. (free admission) 281-341-7068 or 281-342-3034 or "www.fbmg.com. Sat. Feb 11 - "Native Plants & Butterflies" by Brenda Pennington,10am, Buchanan's Native Plants, 611 E 11th, 713-861-5702, www.buchanansplants.com; FREE Monday (Feb 13): “Old Garden Roses” by Nancy Ibanez, 7 p.m., Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, 2929 Woodland Hills in Kingwood; free. Lake Houston Gardeners event, 832-968-9870; free. Tuesday (Feb. 14): “Begonias” by Cheryl Lenert, 9:30 a.m., Jersey Village Civic Center, 16327 Lakeview Drive. Jersey Village Garden Club event, 713-466-6885; $5. Wednesday (Feb. 15): "Topic pending" by Mark Bowen: Houston Garden Center, 1500 Hermann Dr.; 713-524-5876 ext 332; www.hermannpark.org.; $7 Thursday (Feb. 16): Registration deadline for February 18 “An Introduction to Growing Roses” by John Jons, 9 a.m.-noon, Galveston County Extension Office, 5115 Highway 3, Dickinson, 281-534-3413 or aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston. Galveston County Master Gardener Association event; free. February 16, "The Creation of the Nature Discovery Center and Acquisition of Russ Pitman Park," Hana Ginzbarg, 7PM, Houston Arboretum and Nature Center, 4501 Woodway, free. Native Plant Society event, phone (713)681-3665 or www.npsot.org. 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. Tuesday (Feb. 21): “Creating Your Own Tropical Sanctuary” by Linda Gay, 10 a.m., Sugar Land Community Center, 226 Matlage Way in Sugar Land. Sugar Land Garden Club event, 281-565-9813 or www.sugarlandgardenclub.org; free. Feb 21: "Plants Found on Buffalo Bayou by Dr. Bart Brechter, Bayou Bend, 6:30 pm. Harris County Extension office, 3033 Bear Creek Dr. Free Master Gardener event. Call 281-855-5600. access http://hcmga.tamu.edu Thursday, Feb 23, "Choices for Growth: Quality of life and the environment," by Dr. John Jacob, Texas Cooperative Extension Specialist, 7:15-8:15 pm, Bud O'Shieles Community Center, 1330 Band Road in Rosenberg, Monthly Programs, 281.341.7068 or www.co.fort-bend.tx.us or www.fbmg.com; free. Friday, Feb. 24: Reservation deadline for Feb.25 " All About Roses Funshop" by Linda Crum, 10 a.m., Spring Nursery & Landscape, 25252 FM 2978 in Tomball, 281-357-1800; free. Feb. 25: Harris County Master Gardener Tomato/Pepper Sale and Symposium. Harris County Extension office, 3033 Bear Creek Dr. Plant preview at 8 am, Sale 9 am- 2 pm. Symposium 10 am - 3 pm. Symposium fee is $15 (includes lunch), registration deadline is Feb.17. Master Gardener event. Call 281-855-5600; http://hcmga.tamu.edu Saturday, February 25, "Growing Vegetables Organically" by Mystery Speaker, 1:30 p.m., Wabash Antiques & Feed, 5701 Washington Avenue, 713-863-8322; Free. A how to on building beds, soil preparation, using fertilizers and varieties of vegetables that grow in the Houston area. Saturday (Feb. 25th) Precinct 2 Harris County Master Gardeners 2006 Spring Garden Treasures Plant Sale 9 am to 2 pm. Featuring fruit trees, citrus, berries, grapes, blueberries, pomegrantes, avocados and the largest selection of tomatoes and peppers in the area. Free Seminars: Fruit Tree Preview: 8 am, by Heidi Sheesley, Tomatoes and Peppers Preview: 8 am, by Angela Chandler, Growing Fruit Trees: 11 am, Tomato Pepper Culture: 12 noon, How to Grow Citrus: 1 pm. New Location: 5002 Nasa Parkway, Seabrook, TX 77586-5305. Information: (281) 991-8437, http://hcmgap2.tamu.edu Thursday, March 2: Registration deadline for Saturday, March 4 program A Garden for Butterflies, by MG Anna Wygrys, 9-11 a.m., Galveston County Extension Office, 5115 Highway 3, Dickinson, 281-534-3413 Ext. 6, http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston/index.htm; no fee but pre-registration is required. Sponsored by Galveston County Master Gardener Association. Saturday, March 4, "Raising Chickens, Bunnies & Compost" by Kevin Topek; 1:30 p.m., Wabash Antiques & Feed, 5701 Washington Avenue, 713-863-8322; Free Kevin Topek will speak on how to raise chickens and bunnies when using their manure for compost. 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. Tuesday, March 7: "Ferns and Begonias" by Mike Lowery, Another Place in Time, 12 noon. Harris County Extension office, 3033 Bear Creek Dr. Free Master Gardener event. Call 281-855-5600. access http://hcmga.tamu.edu 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 (Mar. 21): “Begonias 101 — Beyond the Wax Begonia” by Tom Keepin, 10 a.m., Sugar Land Community Center, 226 Matlage Way in Sugar Land. Sugar Land Garden Club event, 281-565-9813 or www.sugarlandgardenclub.org; free. March 21: "Garden Art" by Bill Adams, retired County Agent at 6:30 pm. Harris County Extension office, 3033 Bear Creek Dr. Free Master Gardener event. Call 281-855-5600; http://hcmga.tamu.edu Saturday, March 25, "Gardening for Hummingbirds & Butterflies" by Donna Fay Hilliard; 1:30 p.m., Wabash Antiques & Feed, 5701 Washington Avenue, 713-863-8322; Free. Donna Fay, one of our Master Gardeners will talk about beautiful flowers for your garden that attract beneficials. Thursday, March 30: Registration deadline for Saturday, April 1 workshop Plant Propagation 101, by MG Propagation Team, 9-Noon, Galveston County Extension Office, 5115 Highway 3, Dickinson, 281-534-3413 Ext. 6, http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston/index.htm; no fee but pre-registration is required. Sponsored by Galveston County Master Gardener Association. Saturday-Sunday (Apr. 1-2): Bellaire Home Tour, 1-5 p.m., start: Hana and Arthur Ginzbarg Nature Discovery Center, 7112 Newcastle; $15 for six homes; $3 per home, children under 12 free. (FOR ONLINE) Proceeds go directly to the Hana and Arthur Ginzbarg Nature Discovery Center to help fund their fantastic programs. What continues to make this home tour a must-see is the selection of very different homes. A mixture of remodeled and new, traditional and contemporary, the homes demonstrate the dramatic transformation that the City of Bellaire is undergoing. Tickets are $12 if purchased in advance at the Nature Discovery Center, Magpies, 5000 Bellaire Blvd.; and Whole Foods Market, 4004 Bellaire Blvd. Tuesday-Wednesday (April 4-5): “Paint the Town Green...Greening the Urban Landscape” Flower Show, noon-5 p.m. Tuesday, 9 a.m.-noon Wednesday, Omni Houston Hotel Grand Salon, 4 Riverway. Garden Club of Houston event; www.gchouston.org; free. 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 Thursday, April 6: Registration deadline for Saturday, April 8 workshop Grafting Fruit & Nut Trees, by MG Propagation Team, 9-Noon, Galveston County Extension Office, 5115 Highway 3, Dickinson, 281-534-3413 Ext. 6, http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston/index.htm; no fee but pre-registration is required. Sponsored by Galveston County Master Gardener Association 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. Tuesday (Apr. 18): “The Entryway to Nature” by Darrell Gorski, 10 a.m., Sugar Land Community Center, 226 Matlage Way in Sugar Land. Sugar Land Garden Club event, 281-565-9813 or www.sugarlandgardenclub.org; free. Saturday (Apr. 22): Garden Gala Day, 9 a.m.- 2 p.m., Mast Arboretum, Stephen F. Austin State University, Intramural Fields on Wilson Road in Nacogdoches, 936-468-1832; free. Unusual, Texas-tough plants at great prices. Saturday, April 29, "Citrus Tree Care for Patios" by Dianne Norman, 1:30 p.m., Wabash Antiques & Feed, 5701 Washington Avenue, 713-863-8322; Free. Dianne, one of our Master Gardeners will speak on the care of containerized citrus and varieties for our area. Saturday, April 29: Galveston County Plant Swap, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Walter Hall Park, 807 Highway 3 North in League City, 713-724-7213, http://home.houston.rr.com/galveston05swap; free. Friday-Sunday (May 5-7): Orchid Flower & Plant Extravaganza, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. May 5-6, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. May 7, George R. Brown Convention Center, 1001 Avenida De Las Americas, Houston Orchid Society event, 281-286-1471; $7.50. 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, 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. |
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