Despite the gardener’s best intentions,
Nature will improvise.
~Michael P. Garafalo, gardendigest.com 

 

• ‘Texas Dawn’ by Ken Landon (1985). Yellow hardy. Rich yellow flowers with outer petals blushed pink, greenish yellow with pink border sepal, deep yellow anther. Flower size is 6” - 8” with a lemony fragrance. Green top leaves speckled purple with purple undersides.
Leaves are 8” with a 3’ - 5’ spread. ‘Texas Dawn’ is probably one of the best yellow-flowered water lilies since N. ‘Chromatella’ made its appearance in 1887. This plant received the International Water Lily Society’s 1990 American Award. It can be expected to produce seven to eight blooms at a time by mid-summer. In late summer and fall the flowers may take on an attractive pinkish cast.

• “Colorado’ by Kirk Strawn (1994). Hardy Salmon. Outer petals soft pink shading to light peach on innermost petals. Flowers are 3” - 4” across with 26 - 28 petals and a pleasant fragrance.
Light blushed pink inner sepals with dark green tips. Inner anthers are medium yellow with outer anthers soft pink and yellow. Medium green top leaves with newer leaves more olive with faint mottling with reddish plum undersides. Leaf size is 5”-7” with a spread of 3’-5’.

• ‘Laydekeri Fulgens’ by Joseph Bory Latour-Marliac (1895). Hardy Red. Flowers are vivid burgundy-red. Flower size is 5 - 6 inches with 20 petals and a slight fragrance.
Sepal color is pale pink with white tips. Leaves are green on top with new leaves purplish green and dark purple blotches with purple undersides. Leaf size is 8.5” with a spread of 4 - 5 feet.

• ‘Clyde Ikins’ by Kirk Strawn (Year unknown). Hardy Apricot. Flowers are creamy yellow with a hint of pink, shading to light yellow apricot at inner petals. Anther color is bright yellow with sepal Color a creamy white interior with faint pink on edges and dark green pin stripes.
Flower size is four to six inches with 32 - 34 petals and a strong fragrance. Leaves are medium green on top while newer leaves are more olive with a hint of mottling. Underside of leaves are reddish brown with green veins. Leaf size is 6” - 8” with a spread of 6’ - 8’.

• ‘Panama Pacific’ by William Tricker (1914). Tropical Purple. Deep violet-purple flower, purple sepal, yellow anther with violet tips. Flower size is 4.5” - 6” with 21 - 22 petals and a very sweet fragrance.
Green top leaves, purple undersides, new leaves turn green then red, all heavily mottled purple. Leaf size is 9” - 11” with a spread of 4’ - 6’.

• ‘Star of Siam’ by Chaiyaphon Thamasuwan (Year unknown). Tropical Blue.
• ‘Red Flare’ by Martin Randig (1938). Tropical Night Bloomer. Flowers are deep red with deep red sepals and reddish brown anthers. Flowers size is 7” - 10” with 19 - 20 petals and a faint but pungent fragrance. Leaves are reddish bronze on top with purple undersides. Leaf size is 10” - 12” with a spread of 5’ - 6’.

• ‘Perry’s Double White’ by Perry Slocum (1990). Hardy white.
Flowers are pure white with sepals white tipped in green with prominent dark gray veins and yellow anther. Flower size is 6” - 7” with 39 - 46 petals but no fragrance. Leaf color is deep green on top and underside. New leaves are slightly bronzed. Leaf size is 8” with a spread of 4’ - 5’.

The list also includes bog garden plants and other great varieties for ponds and water gardens. Check it all out at http://www.plantanswers.com/water_gardening_information.htm 

What’s the difference between a pond and a water garden? I dunno. I call mine a pond because that sounds more natural and I can more comfortably ignore it. I think of water gardens as something people actually take care of.

This reminds me of the slough in Emerald II subdivision in Crystal Beach on Bolivar Peninsula. It’s just a big drainage/retention pond. We were in one of the more expensive subdivisions on BP, and I said something about its “slough.” No, no, said the realtor who was trying to sell a house to my sister. “Here it is a ‘lagoon.’”

I said ours was a “slough.” She said it depended on your neighborhood appraisal level. At the bottom end, these are “ditches.” We’re middle-level, so we’re a “slough.” When the majority of homes go above, say, $300,000, it becomes a “lagoon.” All look the same to me.

Anyway, water pond/gardens are ideal solutions for those sunbaked spots where nothing will grow. You want it in full, all day sun for the best flower bloom.

Husband and Son promised me a pond as a Mother’s Day gift one year. But it was July before the mood to dig struck. It was blasting hot. After they dug the roughly 9’ x 3’ pond (24” at the deepest end), Husband pointed to the huge pile of dirt he had created behind the pond.

“Now,” he said, “you spread that out.”

I looked at the 4 foot mound and said:

“I christen you BERM!” and started planting on top of it. Now, as a backdrop to my pond, I have winecups, salvias, a pink magnolia, a pride of Barbados, a Tacoma stans (esperanza), plumbago, pentas, coral fountain plant and lots of four o’clocks. Oh and one bright orange rose that only blooms once or twice a year (I mean it only has ONE flower once or twice a year). But, boy, when that flower comes out, WOW!

And in the pond, besides my ‘Colorado’ water lily, is a Crinum americanum.

I have to clean the filter pretty regularly because I haven’t cleaned out the bottom in eons. But the fish seem happy. Of course, I have to replace them everytime if floods. If you see goldfish in Houston’s Ship Channel, they’re MINE!

DEAR BRENDA: I have a crape myrtle with black leaves, which I believe is the sooty mold (there must be a bug problem). I do not think it has powdery mildew. Is there an organic control for this? A.F.

DEAR A.F.: Do you prune in spring? Severely? This is generally referred to by area horticulturists as crepe murder. This practice came from up north (we think) where they need to force plants to bloom more quickly than they do here, because they have such a short growing season.

Down here, with our excessive heat, drought and insect population, this so weakens crepes, they are sometimes unable to resist invasions that ordinarily they would be able to repel with no problem.

What you are probably seeing is an infestation of aphids. Fire ants “herd” them, like cattle, onto the undersides of leaves. Aphids secrete a substance called honeydew. It falls down on the leaves below. Honeydew is caviar to fire ants.

What they don’t eat attracts fungi and mold forms.

So the “cure” is to get rid of the aphids on the upper underside leaves.

A hard water spray in the morning will dislodge the aphids and send them into the hot sun where they will die. But you’ll have to do this every day for about a week to break the cycles of reproduction.

If you can get some soap into the water spray, that’ll speed the process. Soap kills ALL insects, so be aware that you’ll also be killing caterpillars that will become butterflies and beneficial insects that might be controlling a problem invader somewhere else in the garden. Try to confine the spray to the crepe and not get it anywhere else.

Use 1 tablespoon of liquid Ivory or Palmolive dish soap to every gallon of water.

You can also buy insecticidal soaps in the nursery. But these too kill ever insect it touches.

The mold or mildew on the leaves will often come off with a hard water spray. But what you really need to do is to stop the supply of honeydew that is feeding the fungi creating the mold/mildew.

And, if you’re pruning severely in the spring, stop! There is NO reason to prune a crepe unless it’s causing some sort of problem.

Hope this helps.

Brenda


GREATER HOUSTON/GALVESTON/BEAUMONT GARDENING CALENDAR
This is my Master Calendar — ALL the events submitted to me for this column and for my Houston Chronicle Garden Calendar (Saturdays, Star Section, current week only published). All in Houston unless otherwise specified. All are listed almost exactly as submitted. Call and confirm; dates, times, etc., may have changed!

Saturday, September 23: Sugar Land Garden Club Garden Art and Plant Sale, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Sugar Lakes Clubhouse, 930 Sugar Lakes Drive in Sugar Land; 281-565-4658 or www.sugarlandgardenclub.org; free.

Saturday, September 23 “Kindergarten for Rose Lovers. Learn About Teachers Pets!” Presented by Mark Chamblee, Chamblee’s Rose Nursery, Tyler Texas. 10am, The Arbor Gate 15635 FM 2920 Tomball, 281 351 8851, www.arborgate.com, free,

Saturday-Sunday, Sept. 23-24: “Garden Faire at Mercer,” 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Mercer Arboretum, 22306 Aldine Westfield Rd., (281) 443-8731, www.hcp4.net/mercer; free. At the Garden Faire, regional plant societies and local artists will gather on the west side of Mercer Arboretum & Botanic Gardens to share information about their groups. Visitors can stroll along the trails and visit the booths to check out different plants, meet people with similar interests, and even purchase a new plant. The booths will be located across from the playground, and hotdogs and hamburgers will be for sale. In addition to plants, copper and metal art, and decorative birdhouses will also be for sale. Participating groups include: Cypress Creek Daylily Club, Native Plant Society of Texas-Houston Chapter, The Mercer Bamboo Group, Artists Andrea Gandin, Susan Haude, and Brian Koehl.

Sunday: September 24: “Biodiversity” by Dr. Barry Sullender, Rice University, 2 p.m., Houston Arboretum & Nature Center, 4501 Woodway Dr.; 713-681-8433 or www.houstonarboretum.org; free

Monday Sept 25: “Sell What You Grow at a Green Market” by Ray Sher, 4:00-6:00 p.m., Urban Harvest, 1900 Kane St.; 713-880-5540 to register; www.urbanharvest.org for details and directions; $30. Backyard gardeners in the city as well as farmers in the countryside can sell at a local farmers’ market. Find out how to set up shop, including packaging, displays, pricing and market rules. Ray Sher is a market gardener at Garden of Eden.

Sept. 26: “Landscape Maintenance,” 6:30-9 p.m., Tracy Gee Community Center, 3599 Westcenter Dr. Harris County Extension event, 281-855-5600, http://harris-tx.tamu.edu/hort; free.

Sept. 26: “Landscape Maintenance”, Carol Brouwer, Harris County Agent. Green Thumb series; 6:30-9 pm. Tracy Gee Community, 3599 Westcenter Dr. Texas Cooperative/Master Gardener event. Free to public. 281-855-5600; access http://harris-tx.tamu.edu/hort. 

Tuesday (Sept. 26): Gardening Day: The Garden Speaks to the Soul by Loretta Coussirat and Leedell Scott, 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m., The Cenacle Retreat House, 420 N. Kirkwood Rd., 281-497-3131 or www.cenacleretreathouse.org; $25.

Tuesday, Sept. 26: “Annual Planting,” 9a.m. to noon, Mercer Arboretum, 22306 Aldine Westfield Rd., (281) 443-8731, www.hcp4.net/mercer; free. It’s time to begin planting cool season annuals, so come out and help Mercer plant. Wear clothing appropriate for gardening and call for reservations. This program qualifies as Master Naturalist advanced training.

Thursday Sept 28: “Working With Soils And Mulches” by John Ferguson, 6:15-8:15 p.m., Urban Harvest, 1900 Kane St.; 713-880-5540 to register; www.urbanharvest.org for details and directions; $20. Learn the basics of soil preparation, how to select and use mulches, and a primer on the soil food web. Bring a baggie with some of your garden soil. John Ferguson has a soil science background and is considered one of the top lecturers on this subject in Texas.

Thursday, Sept. 28: “Winterizing For Birds,” by Mark Klym, noon to 3 p.m. Mercer Arboretum, 22306 Aldine Westfield Rd., (281) 443-8731, www.hcp4.net/mercer; free. The Texas Coast becomes home to thousands of new residents each fall as migrant birds move south for the winter. How can we make these birds more comfortable in our urban gardens? Mark Klym, coordinator of the Texas Wildscapes and Texas Hummingbird Roundup programs, and coauthor of Hummingbirds of Texas (available for sale and signing) will discuss how to make our gardens a host to a variety of birds this winter. Topics: “Cavity Nesters: The Birdhouse Serves As More Than A Nestbox,” “The Winter Pantry: Feeders, Flowers, and Fruit,” “What About The Tiniest Birds?: Winter Hummingbird Habitats.” Please bring a sack lunch, and call for reservations. These classes qualify as master naturalist advanced training and is hosted by the Heartwood Chapter Master Naturalists.

Thursday, September 28: Registration deadline for Saturday, September 30 seminar How to Grow Onions & Garlic, by MG Sam Scarcella, 9-11 a.m., Galveston County Extension Office, 5115 Highway 3 in Dickinson, Register at 281-534-3413, Ext. 6, Galveston County Master Gardener event, http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston; free.

SEPTEMBER 28 Thursday: “Gardening with Bulbs” by Chris Wiesinger, 7:15 p.m., Rosenberg Civic and Convention Center, 3825 Highway 36 S in Rosenberg; Fort Bend Master Gardener event; 281-341-7068 or www.fbmg.com; free.

Saturday, (Sept 30): Fall Garden Treasures Plant Sale, 9:15 am- 1:00 pm. Clear Lake Park, 5001 Nasa Parkway, Seabrook, TX 77586-5305. Free seminars starting at 8 am. Harris County Master Gardener Precinct 2 Event. (281) 991-8437, website: http://hcmgap2.tamu.edu

Saturday, Sept. 30: Harris County Master Gardener Fall Symposium & Plant Sale, 8 a.m.-Plant Sale preview; 9 a.m.-2 p.m.-plant sale; 10 a.m.-3 p.m.-symposium, Harris County Extension office, 3033 Bear Creek Drive. Symposium registration at 281-855-5600 or harris-tx.tamu.edu/hort;  $15 in advance includes lunch; $10 at door. Plant sale free. The Harris County Master Gardener Fall Symposium and Plant Sale will be September 30, 2006 at the Harris County Extension Office, 3033 Bear Creek Dr. The Symposium topics and speakers are as follows: 10:00 am Proper Pruning and Tree Care by Jed Day (Davey Tree). 11:00 am Irrigation Systems by Howard Starr. 12:00 noon Lunch and Time to Shop. 1:00 pm Fall Bulbs by Gregg Grant. 2:00 pm Container Water Gardens and Disappearing Fountains by Anita Nelson (Nelson Water Gardens. Symposium concludes at 3:00 pm. Pre-registration $15.00 includes lunch, call 281-855-5600 or access http://harris-tx.tamu.edu/hort; registration at the door $10 (no lunch). Plant material will be open to all for overview at 8:00 am. Plant sale from 9:00 until 2:00.

Saturday (Sept. 30): Galveston County Fall Plant Swap, 10:30 a.m., Walter Hall Park in League City. For details, email: mjenke@verizon.net or meb53@houston.rr.com; free. You have only 4 weeks to pot up your plants and get ready for the Galveston County Fall Plant Swap! It will be held on Saturday, September 30, starting at 10:00 am at the Walter Hall Park in League City. Once again, we will be featuring thousands of plants, seeds, bulbs, pond plants and cuttings from our zone 9 and surrounding areas, from the ordinary to the most rare! In addition, we will be having: a silent auction with awesome gardening items to bid on; a free barbeque; great door prizes; 50/50 drawing (split the pot with the swap); a free cycle table with discarded gardening items; a table with free plants! Doors open at 9:45 am for table setup. It would be wise to bring your own table and chair because the picnic tables go fast and you won’t want to miss out on anything! If you don’t have a table, bring a chair and place your plants in front of you on the ground. Please be sure all plants are marked! NEW! There will be a designated table with plants that will be FREE for the taking. Drop off any extras that you want to give away and put on this table. Again, please be sure all plants are marked! All other plants on swapper’s tables will be for trading only, and you must ask the swapper if you are interested in a particular plant. Please do not take any plant without asking or trading for it. We are die-hard gardeners and will be having the swap rain or shine! (We will have lots of cover under the big pavilion). If you came to our spring swap, the rain didn’t keep anyone from coming! It would also be a good idea to bring a wagon or garden cart so that you can bring your plants to and from the pavilion from your vehicle in the parking lot. If you know the plants you are bringing and are looking for certain other plants, why not let us post them on our website? Send your haves and wants to Margie mjenke@verizon.net and she will be sure to post them. This way, you can look at other lists to see if there is anything you are looking for and you can contact them directly before the swap. There will also be several Master Gardeners there to answer your tough gardening questions. If you have any questions regarding the swap, please see our swap website at http://home.houston.rr.com/galveston05swap/. If you need specific questions answered, please feel free to contact (Mary Ellen) at meb53@houston.rr.com or (Margie) at mjenke@verizon.net.  We are always happy to talk about the plant swap! If this is your first time at our swap, please RSVP to us so we can keep you on record and keep you informed of our future swaps. Be sure to register at the door so you don’t miss out on all of the fun and activities. For our barbeque we will need some food items and have provided a needs list on our website at: http://home.houston.rr.com/galveston05swap/Picnic%20List.htm.  We would like you to help us make our barbeque successful by bringing an item on our list. Our picnic list organizer is Fran. Please email her at fpring404@aol.com to let her know the food item that you would like to bring. Mark your calendars! This will be another good one! Hope to see everyone there!

September 30 - October 1: Spring Branch African Violet Club Annual Sale, 9a-5p Sept. 30; 12 noon-4p Oct 1, Hermann Park Garden Center, 1500 Hermann Dr., 713-462-4257 or www.orgsites.com/tx/sbavc, free.

Tuesday Oct 3: “How to Start a Community or School Garden – Class 3: Implementation” by Gary Edmondson, 4:00-6:30 p.m., Urban Harvest, 1900 Kane St.; 713-880-5540 to register; www.urbanharvest.org for details and directions; free class. This class is open to those who have attended Classes 1 and 2. Critique designs from Class 2 and review decisions on placement of the garden. Create a spreadsheet of materials needed and determine the cost of your garden build. Learn to set a schedule for ordering materials and build dates. Other topics include laying out your design at your site, construction, tools needed for building day and routine maintenance, and maintaining your site. Review fruits that grow well in the Houston area. Gary Edmondson is Director of Community and School Gardens at Urban Harvest.

Tuesday, Oct. 3: Urban ForesTree Keeper Program begins, dates, times and locations vary. Details and registration at Trees for Houston 713-840-8733, ext. 105, or www.treesforhouston.org; $20.

Wednesday (October 4) Herbal Delights by Ginia Keen, 10 am 1202 Genoa Red Bluff, Houston, TX 77034, free. Harris County Master Gardener Precinct 2 Event (281) 991-8437, Website: http://hcmgap2.tamu.edu

Wednesday (Oct. 4): “Old World Herbs and Flowers” by Donna Ward, 10 a.m., Amegy Bank, 303 East Main Street in League City. Kemah Bay Area Garden Club event, 281-332-5294; free.

Thursday October 5: “Fertilizing Fundamentals” by Mike Serant, Mike Baum and Dr. Bob Randall, 6:15-8:15 p.m., Urban Harvest, 1900 Kane St.; 713-880-5540 to register; www.urbanharvest.org for details and directions; $20. Explore the basics of soil fertility and plant nutrition, as well as the many excellent organic fertilizers available for landscape and food crops. Application techniques will be profiled as will fertilization schedules. Mike Serant has 20 years of professional experience with organic fertilizers and amendments.

Saturday, October 7 “Cooling Down the Garden-Plants from Fall through Spring” presented by Linda Gay, Mercer Arboretum, 10am The Arbor Gate, 15635 FM 2920 Tomball, 281 351 8851 www.arborgate.com, free.

Saturday, Oct. 7: Fabulous Fall Festival Sale, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Mast Auditorium, Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, (936) 468-2159 or http://arboretum.sfasu.edu.  The annual Fabulous Fall Festival plant sale at Stephen F. Austin State University's Mast Arboretum will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7, at the intramural field on Wilson Drive. As usual, a great selection of rare, unusual, and Texas-tough trees, shrubs, vines, herbaceous perennials, grasses and groundcovers will be available, said Dawn Stover, Mast Arboretum research associate. Almost all of the plants are produced at SFA by the staff, students and volunteers. Greg Grant, Pineywoods Native Plant Center research associate, will introduce his pink ‘Pam Puryear’ Turk’sCap; ‘Buttercream’ Lantana; and the 2006 Texas Superstar, ‘Henry Duelberg’ Sage, according to Stover. Many of the rare Aromi hybrid deciduous azaleas will be offered, as will a good number of the rarely available Texas native Southern sugar maple, Acer barbatum, Stover said. Proceeds from the plant sale help support the SFA Mast Arboretum, the Ruby Mize Azalea Garden, the Pineywoods Native Plant Center and educational programs.

Sat. Oct 7: “Native Landscapes” with Mary Herr,9am; “Butterfly Gardening” with Nancy Greig, 10am; “Herbs 101” with Ann Wheeler, 11 am; and “Trowel & Error” with Michael Morison, 12 pm. FREE. Buchanan’s Native Plants, 611 E 11th, 713-861-5702 www.buchanansplants.com 

Saturday, Oct. 7: Cockrell Butterfly Center Fall Plant Sale, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Houston Museum of Natural Science, 7th Floor Parking Garage, One Hermann Circle Dr. 713-639-4753, hmns.org; free.

Saturday, Oct. 7: Kids Day, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., lectures 10:15 a.m. “Fall Flowers,” 11:15 a.m. “Fall Lawn Care,” 1:15 p.m. “Fall Color Creations” and 2:15 p.m. “Fall Flowers,” Cornelius Nurseries, www.corneliusnurseries.com, 2233 S. Voss Rd. 713-782-8640; 1755 FM 1960 West, 281-444-1210; 1200 N. Dairy Ashford, 281- 493-0550; free.

Sat., October 7: “Lawn Care Clinic” by Rich Boettler, 10 a.m. and, for children, “Forcing Paperwhites & Garden Ghosts,” 11 a.m., Teas Horticulturist, 10:00 am, Teas Nursery, 4400 Bellaire Blvd., 713-664-4400 www.teasnursery.com; free; no reservation needed.

Sunday, Oct. 8: “Birding Walk” by Rachel Powers, 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Mercer Arboretum, 22306 Aldine Westfield Rd., (281) 443-8731, www.hcp4.net/mercer; free. Beginner and experienced birding enthusiasts can join Piney Woods Wildlife Society member Rachel Powers for a guided walk through Mercer to observe the birds that call this area home. Binoculars, birding guides, comfortable and quiet walking shoes, and white or light-colored clothing is recommended. Call for reservations. Families are welcome.

Monday Oct 9: “How to Start a Community or School Garden” by Gary Edmondson, 4:00-6:30 p.m., Urban Harvest, 1900 Kane St.; 713-880-5540 to register; www.urbanharvest.org for details and directions; free class. Start a garden at a school, place of worship, or vacant lot for education, donation to the hungry, or improving your community. Learn the basics of planning, finances, and garden design. Gary Edmondson is Director of Community and School Gardens at Urban Harvest.

Monday, October 9th: “Back Yard Vegetable Gardening” by County Extension Agent, Tom LeRoy, 7 p.m., Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, 2929 Woodland Hills in Kingwood; free. Lake Houston Gardeners event, 713-256-6314

Tuesday, October 10 “Heirloom Bulbs for Gulf Coast Gardens” presented by Chris Weisinger, The Southern Bulb Company, 10am The Arbor Gate, 15635 FM 2920 Tomball, 281 351 8851 www.arborgate.com free

Tuesday, October 10, 2006. 9:30 a.m. “Ferns” by Mike Lowry. Jersey Village Civic Center, 16327 Lakeview Drive. Visitors welcome. $5 program fee. Jersey Village Garden Club event, 713-466-6885.

Tuesday, Oct. 10: “Year Round Color and Yard Art” by Gudrun Opperman, 9:30 a.m., Rayford Community Center, 2325 Rayford Road. Woodlands Garden Club event, 281-362-7042; free.

Wednesday, Oct. 11: “Composting” by Linda Crum, noon to 2 p.m. Mercer Arboretum, 22306 Aldine Westfield Rd., (281) 443-8731, www.hcp4.net/mercer; free. Pick up tips from Linda Crum of the Community Associations of The Woodlands on composting and recycling plant material from your kitchen and yard into wonderful soil for your garden. Bring a sack lunch to enjoy during the program which qualifies as Master Gardener and Master Naturalist advanced training. Call for reservations.

Wednesday, October 11, “Fall Harvest Tasting” by Mary Versfelt, 6:30 p.m., Wabash Antiques & Feed, 5701 Washington Avenue. Register at 713-863-8322; $10.

Thursday Oct 12: Registration Deadline for Sat. Oct 14 class “Rainwater Cisterns and Other Ways to Use Rainwater in the Landscape” by Jennifer Walker, 9:30 a.m.-noon, Urban Harvest, 1900 Kane St.; 713-880-5540 to register; www.urbanharvest.org for details and directions; $25. Catch water when it rains and use it to water plants during dry times. This class discusses low cost methods you can do to absorb water on your property such as swales and rain gardens, as well as cost effective methods such as rainwater cisterns. Jennifer Walker is a civil engineer, a certified permaculture designer, an organic vegetable specialist, and grows a wide range of plants in her Houston garden.

Thursday, October 12: Registration deadline for Saturday, October 14 program Hummingbirds & Butterflies, by MG Deborah Repasz, 9-Noon, Galveston County Extension Office, 5115 Highway 3, Dickinson, 281-534-3413 Ext. 6, http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston; no fee but pre-registration is required. Sponsored by Galveston County Master Gardener Association.

Thursday-Saturday (Oct. 12-13-14): Oct. 12-14; Bulb & Plant Mart; Thurs & Fri 9:30 am - 5:00 pm and Sat 9:30 am - 2:00 pm with horticulture speakers each morning 8:30 - 9:30; Westminster United Methodist Church; 5801 San Felipe at Bering; Garden Club of Houston; 713-816-6631; www.gchouston.org; free parking & admission.

Friday, October 13: “Flower Trends for Today” by Carol Bailey and Virginia Thompson, 10:30 Houston Garden Center, 1500 Hermann Drive: Free, Houston Federation of Garden Clubs event, 281-252-4539

Saturday, (Oct 14) Herb-a-Paloooza, Herb Sale and Celebration, 9 am- 1 pm. Clear Lake United Methodist Church, 16335 El Camino Real, Houston, TX 77062. Free seminars and demonstrations starting at 8 am. Harris County Master Gardener Precinct 2 Event. (281) 991-8437, website: http://hcmgap2.tamu.edu

Saturday, October 14 “Garden’ and Grillin’ with Herbs” Ann Wheeler, Log House Herb Farm and Chef Chris Crowder 11am, The Arbor Gate, 15635 FM 2920 Tomball, 281 351 8851 www.arborgate.com, free

Sat. Oct 14: “Wildlife & Native Plants” with Brenda Pennington,10 am, Buchanan’s Native Plants, 611 E 11th, 713-861-5702 www.buchanansplants.com; free.

Saturday, October 14, “Adapted Plants for Houston Area” by Kevin Topek, 1:30 p.m., Wabash Antiques & Feed, 5701 Washington Avenue, 713-863-8322; free.

Saturday, Oct. 14: “Fig Ivy Topiary & Making Scarecrows” for children, 11 a.m., Teas Nursery, 4400 Bellaire Blvd., 713-664-4400, www.teasnursery.com; $5.

Sunday, Oct. 15: Plant Sale and Fall Festival, noon-5 p.m., The Cenacle Retreat House, 420 N. Kirkwood Rd., 281-497-3131 or www.cenacleretreathouse.org; free.

Saturday, Oct. 14: “Colorful Pansies,” 10:15 a.m., Cornelius Nurseries, www.corneliusnurseries.com, 2233 S. Voss Rd. 713-782-8640; 1755 FM 1960 West, 281-444-1210; 1200 N. Dairy Ashford, 281- 493-0550; free.

Monday Oct 16: “How to Start a Community or School Garden” by Dr. Bob Randall, 1:00-3:45 p.m., Urban Harvest, 1900 Kane St.; 713-880-5540 to register; www.urbanharvest.org for details and directions; free class. Start a garden at a school, place of worship, or vacant lot for education, donation to the hungry, or improving your community. Learn the basics of planning, finances, and garden design. Dr. Bob Randall has advised over 150 community garden projects since 1987.

Tuesday, October 17 “Turning Ordinary Garden Places Into Extraordinary Ones” Heidi Sheesley, Treesearch Farms, 10 am The Arbor Gate 15635 FM 2920 Tomball, 281 351 8851 www.arborgate.com free

Tuesday, Oct. 17: “Bulbs” by Margaret Cherry, 11 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Mercer Arboretum, 22306 Aldine Westfield Rd., (281) 443-8731, www.hcp4.net/mercer; free. Join Margaret Cherry of Abbott-Ipco for a lecture on great bulbs for our area, and bulbs that are being trialed at Mercer Arboretum. Bring a potluck dish to share. Call for reservations.

Wednesday (Oct. 18): “Flower Design Qualities” by Jane Davis, 10 a.m., Amegy Bank, 303 East Main Street in League City. Kemah Bay Area Garden Club event, 281-332-5294; free.

Thursday Oct. 19: “Ecological Pest Management” by Ron Breland and Dr. Bob Randall, 6:15-8:15 p.m., Urban Harvest, 1900 Kane St.; 713-880-5540 to register; www.urbanharvest.org for details and directions; $20. Manage pest problems in your landscape and garden using organic methods and learn to attract beneficial organisms to destroy your pests. Feel free to bring pictures or a baggy filled with your latest insect problems (leaves or insects). Ron Breland is owner of Organoscapes and has many years experience in organic insect control. Dr. Bob Randall is author of Year Round Vegetables, Fruits and Flowers for Metro-Houston.

October 19, “Pressing plants for display,” Jim Baker, 7PM, Houston Arboretum and Nature Center, 4501 Woodway, free. Native Plant Society event, (713)681-3665 or www.npsot.org.

Friday-Saturday (Oct. 20-21): Jerry’s Jungle Garden Tropicals Open House and Plant Sale, 9 a.m.-5p.m., 712 Hill Road, 281-272-8612 or www.jerrysjungle.com; free.

Friday, Oct. 20-Sunday, Oct. 22: “Botanical Arts — Drawing Still-Life, Pen and Ink With Color and Field Sketching Nature” by Cynthia Padilla, Mercer Arboretum, 22306 Aldine Westfield Rd., www.hcp4.net/mercer. Register and fee information at 281-443-8731. Join resident artist Cynthia Padilla for a lesson on drawing. Fees include art supplies. This class qualifies as educational credit for Master Gardeners, Master Naturalists, and some teachers.

Saturday, October 21 – “Planting Bulbs for Spring” Seminar by Margaret Cherry, 11 am at Martha’s Bloomers, Navasota; (936) 870-4044, free.

Saturday, Oct. 21: Daylily Sale, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., West Oaks Mall, Highway 6 at Westheimer. Houston Area Daylily Society event, 281-351-8827; free.

Saturday (Oct. 21): Fall Plant Sale and Flea Market, 8 a.m.-2 p.m., Extension Office, 1 TAM Road in Huntsville. Walker County Master Gardener event, 936-435-2426; free.

Sat Oct 21: “Bird ID” with Gary Clark, 10 am, Buchanan’s Native Plants, 611 E 11th, 713-861-5702, www.buchanansplants.com FREE

Saturday, October 21: 2006 Ornamentals & Perennials Seminar & Sale, Seminar by Heidi Sheesley of TreeSearch Farms at 8 a.m., Sale gates open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Wayne Johnson Community Center at Carbide Park, 4102 FM 519, La Marque, 281-534-3413 Ext. 6, http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston; admission free. Sponsored by Galveston County Master Gardener Association.

Saturday, October 21: “Planting Bulbs for Spring” by Margaret Cherry , 11 am, Martha’s Bloomers, 8101 Hwy. 6 Bypass, Navasota, 936-870-4044 or email: registration@marthasbloomers.com, Free

Saturday, Oct. 21: “Bulbs” by Cornelius Noordemeer, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and, for children, “Planting Snapdragons and Painting Pumpkins,” 11 a.m., Teas Nursery, 4400 Bellaire Blvd., 713-664-4400, www.teasnursery.com; free.

Monday Oct 23: “Sell What You Grow at a Green Market” by Gita VanWoerden, 4:00-6:00 p.m., Urban Harvest, 1900 Kane St.; 713-880-5540 to register; www.urbanharvest.org for details and directions; $30. Backyard gardeners in the city as well as farmers in the countryside can sell at a local farmers’ market. Find out how to set up shop, including packaging, displays, pricing and market rules. Gita VanWoerden is Owner of Animal Farm Permaculture Center.

Oct. 24: “Soils and Composting,” 6:30-9 p.m., Tracy Gee Community Center, 3599 Westcenter Dr. Harris County Extension event, 281-855-5600, http://harris-tx.tamu.edu/hort; free.

Tuesday, October 24 “Herbs, Herbs, Everywhere!” presented by Ann Wheeler, Log House Herb Farm, 10 am The Arbor Gate 15635 FM 2920 Tomball 281 351 8851 www.arborgate.com free

Tuesday, Oct. 24: “Tropical Dig,” 9 a.m. to noon. Mercer Arboretum, 22306 Aldine Westfield Rd., (281) 443-8731, www.hcp4.net/mercer; free. Mercer is moving the tropical garden inside for the winter. Help prepare, pot, and move the plants to their winter home in the greenhouse. Wear clothing appropriate for gardening. Call for reservations. This program qualifies as Master Naturalist advanced training.

Thursday Oct. 26: Registration deadline for Sat. Oct. 28 class: “Constructing Nature Ponds And Wetlands” by Ron Jones, South Main/Butler Stadium area, 713-880-5540 to register; www.urbanharvest.org for details and directions; $30. Learn to build a nature pond and wetland and stock it with fish and Gulf Coast wetland plants. Ron Jones is a specialist in the creation and restoration of ponds and wetlands with the U.S. Fisheries and Wildlife Service.

Saturday, October 28 “Herbs, Herbs, Everywhere!” presented by Ann Wheeler, Log House Herb Farm, 10 am The Arbor Gate 15635 FM 2920 Tomball 281 351 8851 www.arborgate.com free

Saturday (Oct. 28): The Woodlands Wildflower Festival, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Cochran’s Crossing Shopping Center in The Woodlands.

Saturday, October 28, 2006: Fort Bend County Plant Swap, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Community Park, 1700 Glenn Lakes Blvd. in Missouri City; free. Seeds, plants, gardening magazines and other gardening items are acceptable items for trading. Details at 713 398-7949 or http://groups.msn.com/FortBendCountyPlantSwap/welcome1.msn.

Saturday (Oct. 28): Herbal Harvest Fair, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., lectures 9:30 a.m. “Scented Geraniums” by Mary Versfelt and 10:15 a.m. “Herbs in Landscape” by Lois Sutton, 7008 S. Rice in Bellaire. Herb Society of America, South Texas Unit event, 713-513-7808, www.herbsociety-stu.org; free.

Sat Oct 28: “Tree Care & Planting” with Kris Bitner, 10 am, Buchanan’s Native Plants, 611 E 11th, 713-861-5702, www.buchanansplants.com FREE

Saturday, October 28: “ Holiday Decorations” by Tricia Barksdale, Petals ‘n Bloomers, 11 am, Martha’s Bloomers, 8101 Hwy. 6 Bypass, Navasota ,
936-870-4044 or email: registration@marthasbloomers.com, Free

Saturday, Oct. 28: “Planting Marigolds & Trick or Treat” for children, costumes urged, 11 a.m., Teas Nursery, 4400 Bellaire Blvd., 713-664-4400, www.teasnursery.com; free.

Sunday, October 29 “Landscape Photography-The Window to Your Garden” Bill Adams, Garden Writer and Photographer, 1 pm The Arbor Gate 15635 FM 2920 281 351 8851 www.arborgate.com free

Thursday Nov. 2: “Growing Transplants With A Focus On Tomatoes” by Diane Norman, 6:15-8:15 p.m., Urban Harvest, 1900 Kane St.; 713-880-5540 to register; www.urbanharvest.org for details and directions; $20.Learn to grow transplants from seed using low-cost methods and easy procedures. Diane Norman is co-owner of the Arcadia Nursery & Farm. She grows and sells organic transplants and vegetables.

Thursday, November 2: Registration deadline for Saturday, November 4 program Growing Blueberries, by Dr. David Cohen, 9-Noon, Galveston County Extension Office, 5115 Highway 3, Dickinson, 281-534-3413 Ext. 6, http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston; no fee but pre-registration is required. Sponsored by Galveston County Master Gardener Association.

Friday and Saturday, Nov. 3 and 4: Chrysanthemum Society Sale and Program, sale 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., mum program 10-ll a.m.-Mercer Arboretum, 22306 Aldine Westfield Rd., (281) 443-8731, www.hcp4.net/mercer; free. Enjoy the chance to purchase chrysanthemums for your home and garden. Many varieties will be on sale and the experts will be here to answer your questions about these wonderful plants. Learn all about these versatile and beautiful plants. This program will coincide with the sale both days.

Saturday, November 4 “Welding 101-Build a Trellis” Charles Strack, Iron Visions, 9am-noon, The Arbor Gate 15635 FM 2920 281 351 8851 www.arborgate.com FEE, limited space available.

Saturday, November 4, “ A Childs Garden” by Donna Fay Hilliard, 1:30 p.m., Wabash Antiques & Feed, 5701 Washington Avenue, 713-863-8322; FREE

Monday Nov 6: “How to Start a Community or School Garden – Class 2: Design” by Gary Edmondson, 4:00-6:30 p.m., Urban Harvest, 1900 Kane St.; 713-880-5540 to register; www.urbanharvest.org for details and directions; free class. This class is open to those who have attended Class 1. Learn the criteria needed to choose a site and design considerations. Design a small garden and review native and well adapted plants that you can use for ponds, habitat or butterfly gardens in the Houston area. Gary Edmondson is Director of Community and School Gardens at Urban Harvest.

Tuesday, November 7 “Deck the Halls” Usher in the holidays with your friends at The Arbor Gate! 3-7pm The Arbor Gate 15635 FM 2920, 281 351 8851 www.arborgate.com free.

Wednesday (Nov. 8): “Lunch Bunch: Gardening 101”, noon to 1 p.m., Mercer Arboretum, 22306 Aldine Westfield Rd., (281) 443-8731, www.hcp4.net/mercer; free.

Thursday, November 9: 2006 Galveston Pecan Show & Pecan Bake Show. 7 p.m. Walter Hall Park Pavilion, League City. See website for more information and map or call 281-534-3413 Ext. 6, http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston; admission free. Sponsored by Galveston County Fruit & Pecan Committee.

Thursday, November 9: Registration deadline for Saturday, November 11 seminar Growing and Using Herbs, by MG Suzi Hayes, 9-Noon, Galveston County Extension Office, 5115 Highway 3, Dickinson, 281-534-3413 Ext. 6,
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston; no fee but pre-registration is required. Sponsored by Galveston County Master Gardener Association.

Monday Nov 13: “How to Start a Community or School Garden” by Gary Edmondson, 4:00-6:30 p.m., Urban Harvest, 1900 Kane St.; 713-880-5540 to register; www.urbanharvest.org for details and directions; free class. Start a garden at a school, place of worship, or vacant lot for education, donation to the hungry, or improving your community. Learn the basics of planning, finances, and garden design. Gary Edmondson is Director of Community and School Gardens at Urban Harvest.

Monday, Nov.13th: “Fabulous Gingers” by Master Gardener, Ceil Dow, 7 p.m., Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, 2929 Woodland Hills in Kingwood; free. Lake Houston Gardeners event, 713 256-6314

<<Wednesday, November 15, “Fall Harvest Tasting” by Mary Versfelt, 6:30 p.m., Wabash Antiques & Feed, 5701 Washington Avenue, 713-863-8322; $20.00 per person RSVP

Thursday Nov. 16: “Irrigation For Gardeners” by Howard Starr and Angela Chandler, 6:15-8:45 p.m., Urban Harvest, 1900 Kane St.; 713-880-5540 to register; www.urbanharvest.org for details and directions; $20. Summer is the perfect time for using a water-conserving irrigation system, and winter is the perfect time for planning it and installing it. Compare several types of systems, learn how to design the layout, install, and maintain an economical and practical irrigation system. Howard Starr is a mechanical engineer and certified Organic Vegetable Specialist who has installed several irrigation systems. Angela Chandler is President of Harris County Master Gardeners and has taught micro-irrigation for four years.

Saturday, November 18, “ Growing Citrus in Houston” by Dianne Norman, 1:30 p.m., Wabash Antiques & Feed, 5701 Washington Avenue, 713-863-8322; free.

Monday Nov 20: “How to Start a Community or School Garden” by Dr. Bob Randall, 1:00-3:45 p.m., Urban Harvest, 1900 Kane St.; 713-880-5540 to register; www.urbanharvest.org for details and directions; free class. Start a garden at a school, place of worship, or vacant lot for education, donation to the hungry, or improving your community. Learn the basics of planning, finances, and garden design. Dr. Bob Randall has advised over 150 community garden projects since 1987.

Nov 28: “Trees,” 6:30-9 p.m., Tracy Gee Community Center, 3599 Westcenter Dr. Harris County Extension event, 281-855-5600, http://harris-tx.tamu.edu/hort; free.

Saturday, December 2 Tenth Annual Christmas Open House Food, Fun, Friends, Music and Merriment! 3-7pm The Arbor gate 15635 FM 2920, 281 351 8851 www.arborgate.com free.

Monday Dec 4: “How to Start a Community or School Garden – Class 3: Implementation” by Gary Edmondson, 4:00-6:30 p.m., Urban Harvest, 1900 Kane St.; 713-880-5540 to register; www.urbanharvest.org for details and directions; free class. This class is open to those who have attended Classes 1 and 2. Critique designs from Class 2 and review decisions on placement of the garden. Create a spreadsheet of materials needed and determine the cost of your garden build. Learn to set a schedule for ordering materials and build dates. Other topics include laying out your design at your site, construction, tools needed for building day and routine maintenance, and maintaining your site. Review fruits that grow well in the Houston area. Gary Edmondson is Director of Community and School Gardens at Urban Harvest.

Thursday, December 7: Registration deadline for Saturday, December 9 program Growing Tomatoes from Seed, by MG Sam Scarcella, 9-11 a.m., Galveston County Extension Office, 5115 Highway 3, Dickinson, 281-534-3413 Ext. 6, http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston; no fee but pre-registration is required. Sponsored by Galveston County Master Gardener Association.

Saturday, December 9, “ Growing Citrus in Houston” by Dianne Norman, 1:30 p.m., Wabash Antiques & Feed, 5701 Washington Avenue, 713-863-8322; FREE

Thursday, December 16: 2006 Upper Gulf Coast Citrus Show. 7 p.m. Walter Hall Park Pavilion, League City. See website for more information and map or call 281-534-3413 Ext. 6, http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston; admission free. Sponsored by Galveston County Fruit & Pecan Committee.

January 22: Reservation deadline for the Saturday, January 27, 2007 “Tea Thyme: When Memories Bloom”: celebrating the 65th Anniversary of the Houston Garden Center. Proceeds to benefit Houston Civic Garden Center renovations. Old fashioned tea…circa 1942 — “Serving our Grandmothers’ Recipes” ... made with love. Vintage Style Show “Petticoats, Parasols, and Paraphernalia” — 100 years of women’s history and fashion in a series of charming vignettes, decade by decade, presented by the Cypress-Woodlands Junior Forum. Flower Arrangements Through the Decades — Renee Blannchke of Smithville, designer; creative flower arranging has changed between 1942 and 2007; dazzling arrangements will demonstrate the trends. Scavenger Hunt in Our Backyard (weather permitting). Attire: Vintage accessories/costumes of all decades. Or, dress in the 21st Century with purple dress and red hat. At the Garden Center in Hermann Park, 2-5p.m. Sponsored by the Houston Federation of Garden Clubs. For information 281-341-7702; $25. Reservations by January 22, 2007

January 22: Reservation deadline for the Jan. 27 “Tea Thyme: When Memories Bloom — Houston Garden Center’s 65th Anniversary celebration, 2-5 p.m., Houston Garden Center, 1500 Hermann Drive. Houston Federation of Garden Clubs event, 281-341-7702; $25.

Jan. 23, 2007:”Fruits and Nuts,” 6:30-9 p.m., Tracy Gee Community Center, 3599 Westcenter Dr. Harris County Extension event, 281-855-5600, http://harris-tx.tamu.edu/hort; free.

IF YOU FOUND THIS COLUMN HELPFUL, YOU MIGHT LIKE SOME OF BRENDA’S FLYERS FROM HER GARDENING TALKS:

($1 each plus a self addressed, stamped envelope; 3 flyers will fit in one envelope. Make checks payable to Brenda Beust Smith and mail to: Flyers, 14011 Greenranch, Houston, TX 77039)

• RAIN/BOG GARDEN DESIGN. Turn that low spot into an asset to help store water for drought periods.

• ECOLAWNS. How to have a healthier, more environment-friendly lawn from a lazy gardener’s perspective.

• 10 COMMANDMENTS OF LAZY GARDENING. It’s a mindset with very practical steps.

• DEER NO! PLANTS. Tips and planting suggestions.

And, from Brenda’s now out-of-print “Lazy Gardener’s Guide” ($1 each) — designs for:
A BUTTERFLY GARDEN
AN HUMMINGBIRD GARDEN
AN ANTIQUE ROSE GARDEN
A WILDFLOWER GARDEN
A GARDEN IN SHADE ALL DAY (NO DIRECT RAYS)
A GARDEN IN FILTERED OR PARTIAL SUN
A GARDEN IN ALL DAY SUN OR AFTERNOON SUN
A TROPICAL GARDEN FOR WINTER BEAUTY

($1 each plus a SASE; 3 flyers will fit in one envelope. Make checks payable to Brenda Beust Smith and mail to: Flyers, 14011 Greenranch, Houston, TX 77039)