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Nature’s Way Resources honors the contributions of our late owner, John Ferguson. “The Lazy Gardener” Brenda Beust Smith and Shelby Cassano welcome your feedback and remain grateful to the many horticulturists who share their expertise.

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WINTER IS KNOCKING

AT THE GARDEN DOOR . . . 

by Brenda Beust Smith | The Lazy Gardener

 . . But all is not sad in the garden! For one thing — which proves how different Greater Houston Area gardening can be — the (free) Urban Harvest Fall Gardening Guide notes that (among many edibles) now is a great time for us to plant strawberries – if you can find them, says ANGELA CHANDLER of The Garden Academy (and Facebook page.) You may have to shop around, but get them into the ground as soon as possible! Fall strawberry-planting has not been overly-publicized for some reason, but they will often grow throughout winter here, unbothered by frost, and produce by April. Angela notes a new variety named “Ruby June” is said to be more upright with fewer issues. 

Biggest mistake we probably make here is planting the wrong strawberry varieties. So many on the market these days, easy mistake to make, especially with box store purchases. Two local sources with plants are Buchanan’s in the Heights and The Arbor Gate in Tomball. If you know of other nurseries that do, contact me (I’ll share next week).  

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ROSES FOR OLDER PEOPLE!

By BAXTER WILLIAMS

American Rose Society Master Rosarian

Houston Rose Society

So you are 80 years old and have never tried to grow roses, but wish you could be successful at least once? Here’s how.

• Pick the right variety. The “Earthkind Roses” were tested to see which ones could be grown with the least amount of care, so choose one of them. When Momma said she wanted roses for the Anniversary, she wasn’t talking about “Knockout” roses. A much better variety is “Belinda’s Dream” which has long stems, not many thorns, 60+ petals, and smells to high heaven.

• Use a raised bed. About 12-inches of height above the existing soil level is about right, and then you won’t need to bend over to make minor pruning adjustments. Don’t strip up the grass. Build the bed frame on top of the grass, put newspapers 5-6 sheets thick across the bottom, and then fill the bed with a potting mix. The newspapers will prevent any grass or weeds from growing up through the bed.

• Plant the bushes 30-inches apart. Dig a hole, without making a hole in the paper, the same depth as the soil in the sales pot; put ½-cup of rose food in the bottom of the hole and stir it in. Plant the bush, and then add crushed pine bark mulch about 2-inches deep. Water well every day for a week. Don’t fertilize again until after they have bloomed

• Grow Miniature varieties in pots, rather than in beds. Again, not a lot of bending will be needed. (Note: Miniatures can readily be found in many grocery stores and similar outlets, but plant quality can’t be guaranteed. However, if you find you really like these, research serious growers online.) 

• When blooms come, cut their stems beneath the third or fourth 5-leaflet leaf and about 1/8th-inch above the next one down on the stem. Then re-cut them underwater to remove the air bubble that enters the stem as you cut them from the bush.

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EDITOR’S NOTES:  

1. Join the Houston Rose Society to get the monthly Rose-Ette newsletter, best source of printed rose horticulture practices for this area (regardless of your age!). Although parts of website are members only, a great deal of helpful information (and wonderful pictures) is available to the public. HRS’ Rose Demonstration & Spring Fling is Saturday, April 26, 2025, at Memorial City Mall. Entries start at 8 am; public invited to attend at 10 am.

• Trying to identify a rose? Sometimes it’s impossible (too many hybrids on the market). But you can try ARS’s website: https://rose.org/find-a-rose/

2. Do you have a miniature rose that is growing extremely well in this area? Do share the name (if you know it) and where you bought it: lazygardenerbrenda@gmail.com. 

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NOTICE ANY SOUTH-BOUND MONARCHS? 

Reports abound that monarch’s fall migration to Mexico’s wintering forests is now passing over Central Texas. Husband and I visited one such Mexican wintering mountain. It’s so worth the trip! Good news: monarchs are on track in this country to a threatened species designation which prohibits killing or transporting them. Details: monarchwatch.org/listing/

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John found a calling whenJohn’s Cornerbegan. He was a force, a voice of truth and passion who wanted nothing but the best for others, their health, and their happiness. He never cared how it might look; he always spoke the truth.

With every subject and every study, John was there to update us, to open our eyes to the realities of the world, and to remind us how often we discover something new and toxic affecting our lives. Through his writing, he changed countless lives, and that legacy will continue within each of us.

He wanted all of us to live naturally and cleanly, as he always said, “the way GOD intended.” We will not let John’s words, his life’s work, or his mission be forgotten. He remains ever-present in every choice we make, as individuals, and as a company here at Nature’s Way Resources.

John was never afraid to say the quiet part out loud, and neither will we.

Shelby Cassano

Technical Editor

Please take a moment to honor John’s legacy by revisiting his words and sharing in the passion that guided his life’s work.

We encourage readers to request their favorite past articles from John’s Corner to be republished.

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