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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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WHEN HIGH WINDS BLOW, 

TREES AFFECT EVERYONE!

by Brenda Beust Smith | The Lazy Gardener

STARTING OUT WITH ONE OF MY MAIN FEARS — in hopes more of you, and groups, will join this movement: Earlier this month, Trees For Houston (with Kroger and Arbor Day Foundation) distributed 1,000 free native/fruit trees in Houston’s historic Second Ward neighborhood to help expand our inner city’s growing urban tree canopy. 

Are you thinking, “That’s nice, but how does that benefit those of us who live in already wonderfully-treed areas?”  Trust me, it will. Houston’s one huge geographical area. There are no internal protective barriers! 

When winds blow, no matter how near or far apart, no truly effective protective “walls” exist between tree-rich and tree-poor neighborhoods. Surely you’ve noticed all the clear-cutting (some now decades in advance of use) that is prevalent in almost every section of Greater Houston, including heavily-treed areas! Take it PERSONALLY, because you can or for sure will be affected in the long run.

According to Trees for Houston, trees “filter pollutants and mitigate stormwater runoff (and also) encourage physical activity, lower stress levels, and have even been shown to reduce crime and strengthen neighborhood pride.”  For the sake of our and future generations’ health, might want to read this Rice University Kinder Institute for Urban Research study, which points out (among many other expanding-out-of-neighborhood problems) trees help everyone by lowering temperatures, fighting flooding, and slowing climate change. Benefits go way beyond their immediate planting sites. Supporting trees in ALL sections of our Greater Houston area will benefit us all. 

Trees for Houston’s successes benefit all of us and especially our children. But they can’t fight this trend alone. Read this study and check out upcoming tree giveaways by clicking the link above!

PS. A reader wants to know what her rights are in regard to a neighbor’s trees. This can get technical. Safest thing: look up Texas law. It’s online: Guides.sll.texas.gov/neighbor-law/trees. Some subdivisions have even more very strict rules, so check these too. Just remember, being right doesn’t guarantee “peace & harmony” in the future. Give it some thought before reacting.

eat for kiddos! (Always check this out.)

Even more praise, plus great growing tips, are provided by Past Houston Rose Society President SUZANNE GILBERT in our Spotlight Article below! 

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Too nervous to try without more directions? My Lazy Gardener’s Guide (pdf) also includes Sally’s actual planting advice on this garden. Now available only as. PDF, The Guide is free for the asking. Email request to lazygardenerbrenda@gmail.com.  (PLEASE NOTE: Since this printing, Ruellia & some bamboos have become TOO invasive [try at your own risk]. Also, lower temps may prove a temporary or fatal threat for newer varieties. Like all our gardening decisions these days, no more guarantees! But such fun to experiment!)

YES, YOU CAN GROW

STRAWBERRIES IN HOUSTON!

By KAREN GERLACH

ITCHY ACRES GARDENS AND ART FAMILY FARM

• TIMING:  Planting October thru December is best for Southern berry production in January thru April.
• VARIETIES: Pick varieties better adapted to our warmer winters, including Fronteras, Sweet Charlie, Chandler, Camarosa, Seascape and others!
• FORM:  Typically, strawberry plants are found in 4-inch pots. Bareroot strawberries require additional steps (soaking in water for 10+/- minutes, giving roots a short haircut and planting). Seeds (too late for this year) have a low germination rate unless optimal conditions are met.
• LOCATION: In cooler months, 6-8 hours sun is optimal.  To over-summer plants, *place in afternoon shade. You can plant taller crops nearby for afternoon shade. Good drainage (raised beds) is important!  Hanging baskets and pots are easily moved to afternoon shade during warmer months.
• FROST:  A freeze will decrease Southern berry production in early spring. Blooms are tender so water plants well before freezes, surround with pine straw mulch and cover with breathable frost cloth to maintain spring fruit yield. Plastic covers can damage plants. Move containers and baskets to garage or indoors for short freezes.
• SOIL: Strawberries prefer a pH between 5.5 to 6.5. Rich, well-draining soil is best. Space 12-18″ apart.
• IMPORTANT: Place strawberry crown above the soil. Buried crowns will likely rot and die.  (Crown: bulbous portion from which leaves emerge.)  We mulch to keep the ground moist. Keep fruit off soil to deter pests and fruit rot.
• FERTILIZING: We use a balanced 6-4-6 or 6-2-4, slow-release organic fertilizer (Microlife or Sustane) . Too much nitrogen causes excess leaf growth and little fruit.
• PESTS: Slugs and birds are attracted to the fruit. Use favorite slug remedies before fruit ripens and during rainy spells.  For birds, use netting as fruit ripens. Some use aversion methods: ie, red painted rocks before plants produce fruit to “train” birds to stay away! Watering plant bases or drip irrigation prevents fungal disease.
• PICK strawberries when ripe (don’t ripen well after picking)
• WHERE TO FIND PLANTS? Generally, smaller, independent nurseries are more knowledgeable about our fall/winter strawberry planting season and are more likely to carry strawberries.

Itchy Acres strawberries ready for sale

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 EDITOR’S NOTE: Strawberry plants will be available at the Itchy Acres Gardens and Art tent at the Memorial Villages Farmer’s Market 10840 Beinhorn, on Saturday’s 9am-1pm and Central City Co-op 2515 Harvard Ave in the Houston Heights.  Need larger quantities, wholesale, or contract growing? Email info@gardensandart.com. 

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PLUMERIAS: The days are fast approaching (if you haven’t done it already) to pull your plumeria out of the ground and toss it in a house corner. Most folks are nicer than that (not me, I toss it into a corner of the laundry room!) Replant in spring when temperatures rise and should stay risen!

John’s Corner

NEWS FROM THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF SOIL AND PLANTS

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.

WANT EVENT IN RIGHT AWAY? FOLLOW RULES!— ONLY GREATER HOUSTON AREA NONPROFIT GROUP EVENTS —

Expect delay if we must reformat: 3-LINE (max) EXACT FORMAT:

DAY, DATE: TITLE (by NAME if talk), time, site. Sponsor (if not in title). website/phone (NOTE CAPITALS VS lower case)

• Gardening events ONLY! No harvest, cooking, arranging, etc.
• ONLY events sent SPECIFICALLY TO US FOR CALENDAR are used!
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• Don’t add city unless not “Houston.” (Don’t add “Houston”)
• Submit to: lazygardenerbrenda@gmail.com. Check published entry!

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