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H A R R I S C O U N T Y M A S T E R G A R D E N E R N E W S L E T T E R • J A N U A R Y 2 0 2 1

UrbanDirtGardening Events and Informat ion for Texans

At this time of year I start getting restless. I’m ready for spring. My downtime during the cold involves lusting for seeds and planning for spring and summer. It means I am gathering my tools to clean them up and get ready. The dirt is calling! Even though there are tools I don’t use as often I still clean them up and get them ready. My bow saw, the loppers, the hand pruners; these are my trusty tools I use for pruning. I probably won’t use the bow saw. That’s for heavier branches. No chain saw at this house. After seeing one chain saw accident years ago I decided if I couldn’t get it down with the bow saw then I could hire it out. Two years ago I used the bow saw to prune my Moro blood orange (too much, maybe?) and it has been mad for two years. Last year I got three oranges from it. This year I will have around forty. I think it’s coming around.

This year I want to prune for grafting purposes. Do you think your yard is full of plants and you can’t squeeze any more in? What about grafting? An orange tree can support other types of citrus as well. Graft a lemon, a lime or a grapefruit on it. I have seen multi-colored crepe myrtles, a citrus tree with four varieties on it, a plumeria with brightly colored blooms and a peach tree

Pruning for Graftstockwith an extended production cycle because it had several varieties of peaches on it. Look around your yard. Maybe you have something you want to ex-periment with.

There are online garden-ing groups such as Texas Fruit-ing Plant Grow-ers. This group did have scion exchanges before Covid. Now they have a mail in

by Terri Simon, Master Gardener

cont’d on pg. 9

Upcoming Events ........................2President's Perspective ..................3Herb of the Month .......................42021 HGMGA Plant Sales ...........5 Claim Your Spot on Sales Team ...7Home Grown Lecture Series ........8Green Thumb Gardening Series . 10 Master Gardener of the Month ...11

Ask a Master Gardener ................. 12 Master Gardener Birthdays ........... 12Getting Down to Earth .................. 13Growing with Plants & Nature ...... 16Master Gardeners in the City ......... 17MG Garden Workdays at GFG ...... 18Gardening Tools ............................ 19

Have Garden Questions? Submit your questions to: https://hcmga.tamu.edu/ask-a-question/

Pruning!

Moro Blood Orange Photo by Terri Simon

U R B A N D I R T • J A N U A R Y 2 0 2 1

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January 2021Green Thumb Gardening Series We have collaborated with the Harris County Public Library and Houston Community College. Join us for one or both!Pruning BasicsJan. 11, 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. For HCC program, register in advance to receive the link: hccs.edu/community-learning-workshopsJan. 19, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Simply visit the Harris County Public Library System No reservation required. Watch on Facebook – facebook.com/harriscountypl/live

Educational Programs Home Grown Lecture Series - This webinar is provided by our Harris County Ag/Natural Resources Department. Registration is required for these free events. Please visit: please visit: homegrown2021Q1.eventbrite.com/Jan. 7, 10:00 a.m. - Pollinator Gardens by Paul Winski, Texas A&M AgriLife County Extension Agent-Horticulture Jan. 21, 10:00 a.m. - Soil Testing by Shannon Dietz, Texas A&M AgriLife County Extension Agent-Agriculture & Natural ResourcesGardening on the Gulf Coast - Webinar To register for these free events, please visit: gardeningonthe gulf.eventbrite.comJan. 6, 10:00 a.m. - Growing Great Transplants by Skip Richter, AgriLife Extension Horticulture Agent in Brazos CountyoilJan. 20, 10:00 a.m. - House Plant Maintenance and Identification by Paul Winski, AgriLife Extension Horticulture Agent in Harris County Amenre Agent in Brazoria County

Youth Activities Growing with Plants & Nature Please visit us on our Growing with Plants and Nature Virtual Group found at the following link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/GPNVG/.Jan. 19, 10:00 a.m. - Winter Gardening by Candy Friday and Julee JacksonFor information about upcoming topics, dates, and registration, please email us [email protected]. Registration is required before each Family Zoom Event.

Fruit tree Plant Sale!Currently ongoing at our Online Store at: http://hcmga.tamu.edu

Order online now, pick up January 23 at Richard & Meg Weekley Park in Cypress and February 20 at Pasadena Fairgrounds.

Upcoming Events

Texas AgriLife Extension Service Horticulture Program in Harris County13105 Northwest Freeway, Suite 1000 Houston, TX 77040 713.274.0950

Master Gardener Program Coordinator Brandi Keller - 713-274-0956CEA – Horticulture Paul Winski - 713-274-0981

2021 Board of DirectorsPresident Alan Fisherman [email protected] Vice President Jonathan Correia [email protected] Vice President Carolyn Boyd [email protected] President Beth Braun [email protected] Secretary Linda Saxman [email protected] Kathryn McCleod [email protected] Douglas McLeod Dianne Lawrence Janice Muhm Dale Hudson Alexa Haass Carlos Domenech

Genoa Friendship Gardens Steering Committee Advisors Evan Hopkins Georgia Lau •Urban Dirt Editor Carolyn Boyd [email protected] Urban Dirt Editor Terri Simon

COVID-19 AgriLife Extension

Web HubFor more information on COVID-19, please visit the following websites:

Please visit us at the social media pages below: • Harris County Extension Horticulture Facebook Page • Harris County Master Gardeners Facebook Page • Harris County Family and Community Health Facebook Page

http://hccs.edu/community-learning-workshopshttp://facebook.com/harriscountypl/livehttps://www.eventbrite.com/e/home-grown-lecture-series-tickets-117538220983https://www.eventbrite.com/e/gardening-on-the-gulf-coast-tickets-106812198160https://www.facebook.com/groups/GPNVG/http://hcmga.tamu.eduhttps://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/coronavirus/https://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/coronavirus/https://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/coronavirus/https://www.facebook.com/HarrisCountyHorticulture/https://www.facebook.com/HarrisCountyMasterGardeners/https://www.facebook.com/HarrisCountyFCH/


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President’s Perspective

2021 HCMGA Board and Officers

President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Alan Fisherman 1st Vice President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jonathan Corriea 2nd Vice President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Carolyn BoydPast President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Beth Braun Secretary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Linda SaxmanTreasurer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Kathryn McLeodDirector #1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Douglas McLeodDirector #2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dianne LawrenceDirector #3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Janice MunnDirector #4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dale HudsonDirector #5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Alexa HaassDirector #6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Carlos Domenech

Welcome to a new year of the Harris County Master Gardener Association. Unfortunately, we are still wearing masks and social distancing. Hopefully, we will be meeting in person soon. Until then, we will meet virtually via Zoom on the first Tuesday of the month. The Weekly Update prior to the meeting will have the Zoom link information.

With the help of many master gardeners and especially Jonathan Correia, our online fruit tree sale is up and running. More publicity is always needed and all of us can help. Spread the word about the tree sale to all your friends and put it on your local Nextdoor (I have Nextdoor Meyerland). You can view all that is available at HCMGA-online.company.site

Even though we can’t meet in person, there is plenty that you can do to earn your hours. There is lot to do in the gardens at GFG, as well as, Centennial Gardens.

CONGRATULATIONS to the Class of Summer 2019 graduates! And, the 2021 Board and Officers have been voted in.

We are all looking forward to continued work to make HCMGA better and better.

Alan FishermanHCMGA Board President, 2021

2021 Green Thumb Gardening Lecture Series Schedule

by Brandi Keller, Harris County Master Gardener Program Coordinator

We are pleased to announce that our Green Thumb Lecture Series will also be available through our collaboration with Houston Community College (HCC) via a monthly webinar. This lecture will be slightly longer than the Facebook Live version, but it will not be available for later viewing. Registration is required through HCC’s Community Learning Program, but it can be made for talks from January through May at the same time.

January’s topic will be Pruning Basics, by Master Gardener, Becky Larkin. For a list of the year’s topics, links to Facebook Live and HCC registration, please visit our Harris County Master Gardener Website. Many thanks to the Harris County Public Library System and HCC for a new year of collaborations.

Before the pandemic, Harris County Master Gardeners hosted four in-person lectures at four different Harris County Public Libraries each month, January through October. In June, we adapted to the circumstances and provided our first online talk with the Library System. Each month since, on the third Tues-day, we have hosted our monthly lecture through the Library via Facebook Live. This allowed it to be streamed to all 26 libraries, increasing the availability to more community members. We will continue to host the lecture once a month with the Library System. Facebook Live not only allows for a dynamic interaction with attendees, but it saves as a post so that it can be viewed at a later time. Search videos on our Harris County Master Gardener Facebook Page or the Harris County Public Library Page under the category for “Videos.”

http://HCMGA-online.company.site


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the product quickly gained widespread popularity nearly fifty years ago in Japan. The European Union approved candyleaf’s use as a sweetener even later than did the U.S., in 2011. But the original documented users of candyleaf, the Guaraní, a South American Indian group of nearly five million people residing mainly in Paraguay, have known about and been using the herb since around the time of Arthur’s legendary victory over the Saxons, in 500 AD.

This versatile, natural sweetener’s leaves contain sweet-tasting chemicals known as steviol glycosides, which can be used either fresh or dried to sweeten beverages or desserts. The leaves can also be commercially processed into both liquid and powdered non-caloric sweeteners. Steviol glycosides, particu-larly the chemicals stevioside and rebaudioside A, can be more than 300 times sweeter than table sugar and are non-glycemic (they do not affect blood glucose levels). How sweet is that?!

To this chef’s personal perspective, I have used several sugar substitutes in various dishes, including those derived from candyleaf. Aside from a slight resistance of its powder form to well-incorporated blending – which can be easily overcome with a high-speed blender (I use a Vitamix) – my experience with it has been very positive across the board. I especially endorse tapping it when a sweet factor is called for in savory dishes, particularly in Asian and Asian-fusion cooking.

Here’s to a sweet new year – happy 2021!

Spring boarding from last month’s herb focus, the tooth-ache plant (sugar-plums and all that), let’s keep the sweet vibes flowing into 2021 with this year’s first herb article and put a pre-Valentine’s Day focus on a sweetheart of the herb garden, candyleaf.

Also known as stevia and sweetleaf (derivatives of stevia rebaundiana are readily brand-identified, typically available on

the bak-ing aisle alongside other substitute sweet-eners), candyleaf is a tender perennial within the aster

family, and is native to warm, humid climates in South America. As such, local growers find frequent success with candyleaf. Reaching a height and width of about one foot each, candyleaf’s tubular white flowers are often kept pruned in order to improve the taste of its edible leaves, for which the herb is grown.

Candyleaf is perfect for sunny to partially sunny locations with either sandy or loamy soil, and is best grown in moderately moist soil, provided good drainage is offered. Propagation by seed can be quite challenging, so stem cuttings are the best bet for success. Since candyleaf is tender, cuttings should be intro-duced to the garden after the last frost. Candyleaf is pollinated by insects.

While the FDA didn’t approve candyleaf’s use as a sweetener here in the United States until 2008 due to stated carcinogenic concerns, Japanese researchers developed a commercially available product using candyleaf’s leaves in the 1970s, and

Herb of the Month

Candyleaf (Stevia rebaudiana) by Karen McGowan, Master Gardener

Citations:https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/stevia-rebaudiana/https://www.britannica.com/plant/stevia-planthttps://pfaf.org/USER/plant.aspx?latinname=Stevia+rebaudiana

Candyleaf (Stevia rebaudiana)

https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/stevia-rebaudiana/https://www.britannica.com/plant/stevia-planthttps://pfaf.org/USER/plant.aspx?latinname=Stevia+rebaudiana


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cont’d on pg. 6

2021 Harris County Master Gardener Association Online Plant Salesby Jonathan Correia, Master Gardener

Choosing your plantWhether you’re an experienced or novice fruit tree grower,

here are a few points to keep in mind.For proper plant growth and fruit production, make sure you

have a location that gets at least six hours of sun exposure during the growing season.

Is your choice self-fertile or will it need a pollinating buddy? Refer to the online catalog at https://hcmga.tamu.edu/files/2020/01/2020-Catalog-Final.pdf for pollinating require-ments as well as chill hour requirements. Several popular choices like apples and blueberries need a pollinating buddy. Check out whether the buddy needs to be the same variety or a different variety.

The online Store at https://hcmga.tamu.edu has photos and information on all available plants.

A fruit tree/plant from Harris County Master Gardeners will cost between $20-$55. Transplanting costs include soils, compost, mulch, irrigation, and a large planter if it will be container grown.

Caring for your plant before plantingAll our fruit trees will be in 3-gallon containers with plenty

of compost, mulched soil and slow release fertilizer. Fruit trees are best planted in mid-winter to allow the roots to develop before spring growth and summer heat arrive. With watering and protec-tion from wind and cold temperatures, the plant can be kept in its container for several months before transplanting. Citrus and avocados can wait until March or April to be planted.

Preparing the planting areaSelect a planting location that will get at least six hours of

sun per day during the growing season. The sun should not be

Master Gardener plant sales offer varieties that thrive and produce well in our area. Careful attention is paid to suitable chill hours, hardiness, disease and insect resistance, and fruit quality. Included are more than 100 varieties of fruiting plants: apples, avocados, berries, coffee, figs, goji berries, lemons, limes, oranges, mandarins, mulberries, nectarines, peaches, pears, persimmons, plums, pomegranates, tangerines and more.

Harris County Master Gardener Association is a nonprofit, 501(c)3 incorporated association affiliated with the Texas AgriLife Extension Service in Harris County and the Texas A&M System.

Pick Up DayFor your safety and convenience, you will be assigned a half

hour window to pick up your plants at the location you’ve se-lected. We ask that you have your vehicle ready for the plants and other purchases to be loaded for you while you wait in your car.

Choosing, planting, and caring for a fruiting plantGardening with fruits has been a popular activity for genera-

tions, but there is a noticeable surge of interest in edible landscap-ing. Fruit trees and citrus especially are a large part of edible landscapes in the greater Houston area.

Not only will you enjoy homegrown flavor, but fruit trees also offer beauty in flowers, form, and fragrance. There are fruit trees to suit any landscape, whether a large tree like a pecan, a potted dwarf Meyer lemon for your patio, or a pear, apple, or fig tree to espalier against a wall. Fruit trees can easily be incorporated into permaculture, the simulation of natural ecosystems intended to be sustainable and self-sufficient.

Who: Harris County Master Gardener Association What: 2021 Fruit Tree SalesWhen: Order online now, pick up January 23 at Richard & Meg Weekley Park in Cypress and February 20 at Pasadena FairgroundsWhere: Online Store at http://hcmga.tamu.eduWhy: HCMGA raises funds to provide factual and relevant horticulture information to the public

Shop the safe and easy way—online!

https://hcmga.tamu.edu/files/2020/01/2020-Catalog-Final.pdf https://hcmga.tamu.edu/files/2020/01/2020-Catalog-Final.pdf https://hcmga.tamu.edu


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and bottom of the root ball to encourage the roots to grow out-ward. Prune off any broken, rotted, or twisted roots, making clean cuts with sharp, sanitized pruning shears. Position the plant in the hole, spread the roots, and stand back to make sure it’s upright from all angles and is pleasing in its setting. Refill the hole with the original soil, tamping the soil gently around the roots as you go.

Water well to settle the soil around the roots and remove air pockets. If planting in fast-draining soil, water thoroughly to fin-ish settling the soil around the roots. In slower-draining soils, wa-ter a little at a time – over several days if necessary. Then make a donut-shaped ridge of mulch 3-4 inches high and 6-8 inches wide around the plant, keeping the mulch 2-3 inches away from the trunk. The ring should be slightly wider than the planting hole.

Stand back again to admire your work.

Caring for your young fruiting plantFor the first year after your new fruit tree is planted, concen-

trate on the health of the tree rather than getting a crop. Pinch off the fruit during the first year to encourage root growth. You will need to protect your plant from high winds, extreme tempera-tures, and over or under watering. Keep weeds and lawn from invading the planting area. Monitor your plant regularly for any signs of nutrition loss, fungal or bacterial diseases and non-bene-ficial insects.

blocked by buildings, fences, or other obstacles. Choose a spot at least three feet from sidewalks and driveways and eight feet away from buildings, as roots will spread wider than the tree crown. Allow 10-15 feet between fruit trees.

A few months before planting, prepare the site by removing the sod and weeds, roots and all, and thoroughly tilling an area at least 4 feet by 4 feet. Break up any hard pan layer beneath the soil. Level the site, and till again. Spread several inches of compost to the area and work it into the top 8-12 inches of soil. Rake the area smooth and mulch it with 2-3 inches of organic mulch such as leaves, old hay, or composted native mulch. Do not add fertilizers; your new fruits won't need them at first. Let the bed rest until time to plant. If you plan to espalier the fruit against a wall or fence, clean the surface and ground of vines and their roots.

Planting Rake the mulch back and dig a hole three times the width of

the container, about 30-36 inches, and loosen the sides of the hole. Roots do not readily penetrate a slick interface created by clay soil.

Dig the hole a little deeper than the root is tall, and make it wide enough to accommodate the longest roots without bending. Backfill the bottom of the hole with the soil you dug out so that the root collar—where the stem meets the root ball—is slightly above the ground when it’s planted. Loosen the roots on the sides

2021 Harris County Master Gardener Association Online Plant Sales, cont'd from pg. 5

https://hcmga.tamu.edu/shop/


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2021 Harris County Master Gardener Association Online Plant Sales, cont'd from pg. 5

There’s nothing quite like the buzz at Master Gardener plant sales. These fundraising events make our mission of public edu-cation and outreach possible. Miss the camaraderie of working with fellow MG’s? Here’s your chance to engage. Whether you’re new to the program or a veteran volunteer, there is a place for you. Work has already started on the four 2021 plant sales:

January 23 – West Side Fruit Tree Sale Pickup in Cypress February 20 – Genoa Friendship Garden’s Fruit Tree & Tomato Sale Pickup in PasadenaMarch 13 – West Side Spring Vegetable & Perennial Sale Pickup in CypressMarch 20 – Genoa Friendship Garden’s Pepper, Perennial & Herb Sale Pickup at Genoa Friendship Gardens

Claim Your Spot on the Plant Sales Teams!by Jonathan Correia, Master Gardener

THE TOP PRIORITY NOW is to add volunteers to the catalog team. Click HERE to see open positions, and HERE for detailed descriptions of each position. Claim your spot and get started by emailing [email protected]. We are counting on you!

https://mcusercontent.com/fe5b91dbe5b82ff4c18518c8c/files/661b9816-ccd2-45d1-bfa2-a8cb3a20a34f/Plant_Sale_Leads_for_2021_sales.xlsxhttps://mcusercontent.com/fe5b91dbe5b82ff4c18518c8c/files/450c06cc-30eb-4cab-8c78-15db2d01798a/Plant_Sales_Job_Descriptions.docxhttps://hcmga.tamu.edu/ask-a-question/https://hcmga-online.company.site/https://hcmga-online.company.site/https://hcmga-online.company.site/


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https://www.eventbrite.com/e/home-grown-lecture-series-tickets-117538220983HTTPS://HOMEGROWN2021Q1.EVENTBRITE.COM/


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scion group. Here’s hoping things return to normal post Covid. Edward Self, a fellow gardener has several tips for preparing for a scion exchange.

• Do NOT trade citrus• There is a citrus greening quarantine for Brazoria, Ft. Bend,

Galveston, Harris and Montgomery counties. Citrus cannot be taken out of the quarantined counties or across state lines.

• Negotiate your trade by private message or direct message. Make it clear which scions you have and what you want to trade for. Work out all the details beforehand.

• Don’t trade patented scion wood. Use a tracking number to keep track of your package.

• Only trade scions that have fruited “true to type.” You must have the variety name. if your plant has not fruited yet, wait. Sometimes plant labels get switched. You do not want to invest time in growing a tree that was labeled as something different.

• Scion wood is precious. Take only what you need.

Pruning for Graftstock, cont'd from pg. 1There are courses offered for grafting around town. Sign up

for one if you need it. Usually, exchanges take place in February and March. Look around your yard. Figs, grapes, and pomegran-ates can be stuck in soil and don’t need grafting. Wrap 18-24” cuttings that have at least four bulbs.

To collect your scions choose the gap when the donor plant is dormant but before bud swell. Which wood is best? Take from the current year’s new growth located at the branch ends and cut to down where the wood changed color. Take off the leaves and extra material. Clean off the branches well. Trim each scion 4-8” long and each should have four buds. Cut the bottom of scion flat and the top should be angled off. This lets others know which side goes up. Store dry branches in quart or gallon bags. You can also use plastic wrap, parafilm or Buddy Tape. Label each bag clearly. Store bags in the refrigerator. They should last at least a month or two if properly stored. There is a Grafter’s Handbook by R.J. Garner that has many grafting methods.

Good luck and may the new year bring us hope, promise and plants

Please subscribe to our Harris County

Horticulture YouTube page for

access to recorded videos.

Thank you for your support.

https://www.youtube.com/channel

Have Garden Questions?

We have developed a new form located at https://hcmga.tamu.edu/ask-a-question/

You can submit your question and up to three photos. Be sure your photos are focused and clear.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmIhsYf4bJEHqUIFb2vVpkQhttps://hcmga.tamu.edu/ask-a-question/https://hcmga.tamu.edu/ask-a-question/


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reen Thumb 2021 ardening Series

The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and the Harris County Master Gardeners are pleased to offer the FREE Green Thumb Gardening Series of Lectures now

provided virtually twice a month. We have collaborated with the Harris County Public Library and Houston Community College. Join us for one or both!

Got questions? Go to hcmga.tamu.edu/ask-a-question/

Second Monday, 10:00 A.M. – 11:30 A.M. Houston Community College

Register in advance to receive the link: hccs.edu/community-learning-workshops Second Monday of each month

January 11 – Pruning Basics June 14 – Intro to Plumeria February 8 – Spring Vegetable Gardening July 12 – Fall Vegetable Gardening March 8 – Composting August 9 – Gardening for Beginners April 12 – Butterfly Gardens September 13 – Permaculture May 10 – Integrated Pest Management October 11 – Plant Propagation

Third Tuesday, 11:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M. Harris County Public Library Facebook Live

No reservation required. Watch on Facebook – facebook.com/harriscountypl/live Third Tuesday of each month

January 19 – Pruning Basics June 15 –Intro to Plumeria February 16 – Spring Vegetable Gardening July 20 – Fall Vegetable Gardening March 16 – Composting August 17 – Gardening for Beginners April 20 – Butterfly Gardens September 21 – Permaculture May 18 – Integrated Pest Management October 19 – Plant Propagation

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service provides equal opportunities in its programs and employment to all persons, regardless of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity. The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas cooperating. Individuals with disabilities, who require an auxiliary aid, service or accommodation in order to participate in any Extension activities, are encouraged to contact the Harris County Extension Office at 713-274-0950 for assistance five working days prior to the activity.

http://hcmga.tamu.edu/ask-a-questionhttp://hccs.edu/community-learning-workshopshttp://facebook.com/harriscountypl/live


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Congratulations to Regina Gardner!With a BFA in illustration from Syracuse University, Regina enjoyed a 16-year span in the advertising, graphic design, and media industries, as an illustrator/designer, as well as a sales and marketing executive with Prentice-Hall Publishing (NY office), Mississippi’s Educational Television Station in Jack-son, and First National Bank of Commerce in New Orleans.

After moving to Houston, Regina decided to go in a different direction and purchased a corporate travel management franchise from UNIGLOBE International, receiving multiple “Agency of the Year” and “Franchise Owner of the Year” honors (out of 1150 franchisees) over the years and served on the Boards of several UNIGLOBE International divisions.

In the early 1990s, Regina was appointed to the first ever Franchisee Advisory Council to the IFA. As the first Chairper-son, Regina was given the task of representing franchisees on the Board and on the Hill in Washington D.C., but most importantly, bringing franchisees in as active, contributing, members of the IFA. After four years, Regina was elected as the first-ever franchi-see to its Board of Directors. She received the prestigious “Bonny Levine Award”, given in recognition of her outstanding accom-plishments in franchising and of her status as a role model for women in the franchise community. She continued to serve for 12 years, and upon leaving she received the International Franchise Association’s “Distinguished Service Award”.

Regina was the keynote speaker at the Franchise Association of South Africa’s historical conference for franchisee inclusion. and appeared on “Good Morning Africa”. On a local level, Regina has spoken at several conferences, including The Texas Women’s Alliance Conference held in Houston.

Regina and her husband, Pete

Before retiring, Regina worked with a flower franchise organization headquartered in Boston. Responsible for some 50 plus franchisees nationwide, her primary focus was on sales and marketing, operations, financial controls and developing business plans.

Regina has been involved with several volunteer endeavors. She was an Easter Seal Society of the Gulf Coast Board member and received Easter Seal’s “Volunteer of the Year” award. She also volunteered at Ronald McDonald House and the Mission of Yahweh and was very involved in the USS swimming program for over ten years.

Regina has traveled extensively through the years. One of her most memorable trips in recent years was with her daughter a week-long trip to a cooking school in Tuscany. It was held in a beautiful Italian villa. She loves to cook and considers herself a “foodie” with over 165 cookbooks and growing!

Retiring after 25 years in franchising, Regina decided to pursue her love of gardening and joined the 2014 class of Harris County Master Gardeners. From her very first class, she decided she wanted to work in the greenhouse. It was a place where she felt she could learn so much and she spent many, many hours working in there. It was especially gratifying to see all of their growing efforts at the sales, particularly the tomato/pepper sale each year. She loves to garden at home and loves lots of color in her yard so she rotates flowers and plants in and out to accommo-date the season.

The recent floods brought challenges, but Regina found her home with what was, “Open Garden Day” and now called, “Growing with Plants and Nature” (GPN). The committee has very much missed being able to interact with the families face-to-face. Regina feels that their hands-on experience with the children was priceless and they are looking forward to the day they are able to get back to teaching them to plant, grow and learn in person. So, in the meantime, GPN has established alternative ways to interact with them. The committee meets every week via Zoom and they have established several programs both on Zoom and on Facebook. In this challenging time, being able to still participate and be a part of such a special group has been very rewarding for Regina.

Regina and her husband Pete, have one daughter who lives in Houston. She has recently become engaged and bought a new home so they are looking forward to a wonderful new year for her!

MG of the Month - Regina Gardner by Karen Breneman, Master Gardener


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Master Gardeners and Interns who celebrate a birthday during January include the following. Wish them a HAPPY BIRTHDAY when you see them!

If your name is missing, please check that your online profile is complete.

Connie Bihner, Marcia Braschayko, Linda Brewer, Patricia Cordray, Laurel Gonzalez, Lee Greb, Sanjeevi Gunarathna, Will Isbell, Jane Kremer, Becky Larkin, Elizabeth Lewis, Douglas McLeod, Barbara Morrison, Bunthath Pek, Aura Rainwater, Leewen Shen, and

Bobbie Wiese

• Grow vegetables from seeds. Purchasing seeds instead of plants can save you a bundle and may even produce healthier plants. Vegetables like beets, carrots, radishes, and turnips need to be planted in the ground to thrive. More tolerant species can be started by seed outdoors or indoors.

• Avoid professionally designed plant arrangements. Instead, buy separate ornamentals and combine them yourself in a large pot. Seek annuals, vining plants, and loose bulbs, which are much cheaper than potted, actively growing bulbs. Your planter should include a tall plant for interest and drama, plus bushy, broad plants to fill the container and a trailing plant to complete the look. Just remember — thriller, filler, and spiller.

• Plant your garden in raised beds. Save water by planting in raised beds instead of containers. The soil takes longer to dry, so you’ll need less water. Just watch out for root rot. Some plants need to be on the drier side to thrive.

• Save on planters by designing your own. You can even be creative with the containers you use. Some people enjoy recycling old boots, colanders, cut-and-shaped PVC, old drawers, and more. Your imagination is the limit.

• Water your garden using drip irrigation. Drip irrigation is more water-efficient than hose-end sprinklers.

Ask a Master Gardener by Teresa See, Master Gardener

Tips for a budget-friendly garden

Nominate a Master Gardener of the Month

We want to recognize the people who are working hard to keep our organization functioning.

To let the Membership committee know about the volunteers deserving of the award, contact

Karen Breneman at [email protected] or phone at 281-463-2110 or 832-923-1712.

Thank you in advance for your nomination.

In November, Harris County Master Gardener, Teresa See, provided some tips for a budget-friendly garden, as part of Mercer Botanic Gardens' article "Best Ways to Garden While on a Budget." To see the full article, click HERE. Many thanks to Mercer Botanic Gardens for this continued collaboration.

https://www.hcp4.net/news/best-ways-to-garden-while-on-a-budget/


13

News from Genoa Friendship GardensRick Castagno, 2019 Intern and new Vegetable Garden Silo

Manager, has been very ambitious with his first GFG garden and has planted mustard greens, elephant garlic, green onions, yellow hybrid onions, giant radishes and Georgia collards. There are two open beds he is keeping fallow for new potatoes and sweet potatoes. He will be donating harvested produce to the Heights Interfaith Ministries. I found out Rick has been a Brew Master for 20 years and specializes in Irish Red Ale. He was doing regu-lar tastings at his home prior to Covid-19 hitting. Recently retired from the oil and gas industry, Rick is a seasoned home gardener and we welcome his know-how and winning smile!

Our horticulture agent, Paul Winski, visited GFG on Decem-ber 16th to check on the plant trials. While there, he assessed and really liked Rick’s intercropping of onions down the middle of one of his beds. After hearing about Rick’s brewing experience, Paul is going to look for hops seeds to also intercrop. By the way, most of the vegetable seeds Paul obtains for the plant trials and the other gardens are from Johnny’s Select Seeds. We talked about eventually having mini-classes as part of Open Garden Days (when we can resume in-person activities) teaching visitors how to grow small theme gardens in a large container such as a Caprese Garden, Salsa Garden or Marinara Garden, and later offer to teach classes on moving from a container garden to a production garden. The culinary theme gardens are very popular

Getting Down to Earthat the Betty and Jacob Friedman Holistic Garden at Rice Univer-sity, which is under the direction of professor, Joseph R. Novak.

Native Houstonian, Claudette Johnson and her master gardener dad, Chuck Johnson, have taken over the orchard, blackberry vines, grape vines and blueberries silo. They are now building cinder block raised beds for exotic Asian vegetables including Shisito peppers, Carolina Reaper peppers (the hottest ever!) Azzuki beans, mung beans, Daikon radish, Chinese cab-bage and leeks. Claudette loves to can and make pickles, jams and jellies. Now, she will become an international cook mak-ing Chinese red bean paste and Kim-Chi from the new garden. Claudette was a docent at the Museum of Natural History and is soon to start working for the Museum of Fine Arts.

And, I must mention our farm cat, Samantha, who lives at GFG. The late Guy Lazarus, who tended the vegetable silo, made her a warm bed atop a heating pad last winter, which is keeping her cozy in the shed.

by Pam Longley, Master Gardener

Samantha

Rick Castagno assessing the emerging vegetables

cont’d on pg. 14

Claudette Johnson in the revamped peach orchard with Asian vegetable beds, curently under construction.


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Getting Down to Earth, cont'd from pg. 13Christ the Good Shepherd Gardenby Dale Hudson, Master Gardener

The CGS Garden on the north side of Houston is well known for its bountiful production of vegetables year-round, but any good cook knows even the freshest vegetables can be spiced up with the addition of fresh herbs. CGS has got that covered also.

Last year when the CGS folks decided to build a dedicated herb garden, we recognized the success would hinge on finding a dedicated gardener to adopt the area and provide the TLC that is so important for herbs, which can be tem-peramental at times. Master gardener Cheryl Gans turned out to be just who we needed. To wit, Cheryl recently shared these stories. Growth in any garden changes due to sunlight, soil, temper-ature and weather. A favorite herb greeting us upon arrival in the garden is rosemary. The sweet aroma and taste adds a bit of flavor to the ordinary sandwich. When the rosemary leaves are lacking, one needs to investigate the source of the problem. The herb will reveal its needs. The best place to start is the roots. Amend the soil by adding new compost and improve moisture by adding a pine straw cover. Watch out for infestations. Once I noticed how the rosemary can adapt to a harsh environment. By investigating the root, I noticed an ant nest. To my surprise the rosemary had sent out a new stem and transplanted

CGS herb garden

Cheryl Gans im the herb garden

itself in a location away from the infestation and was thriving. At times like these it is important to learn a lesson from the herb plant: be flexible, trust the new roots and hum a tune of thanks.

The herb garden is also a great place to invite wildlife. At home I rooted a pineapple top. I placed it in a small container. The plant was not happy. I brought it out to the garden at Christ the Good Shepherd and planted it in the herb bed. The plant is now flourish-ing in its new location, a mixture of sun and shade with lots of room to grow. In October I was surprised to find a tree frog peer-ing out from the center of the plant. I snapped a picture as a reminder of life thriving in this garden.

We should never forget that Mother Nature does get the final word how-ever. During the brief cold snap in early December we learned that most herbs are cold hardy, but basil is not one of them. Not to worry; we now know that basil will be much happier in our greenhouse until Spring. Sadly, there was no happiness in our Fall tomato beds after a windy 30 degF night either. If anyone is interested, master gardener Tony Ruppe has green tomato pickles on offer.

Tree frog resting in a recently planted pineapple top

cont’d on pg. 15


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Getting Down to Earth, cont'd from pg. 14Centennial Gardensby Becky Larkin, Master Gardener

The fall harvest at McGovern Centennial Gardens has been bountiful. Since September, we have harvested over 200 pounds of produce with most of that going to the neighborhood food pantry (most of the sun gold tomatoes don’t make it into the bags for the pantry). The heaviest producer of those 200 lbs. were our sweet po-tato haul of almost 90 lbs. We put in a second bed of kohl-rabi on our quest to interest more Houstonians in this overlooked but very yummy vegetable. Along with the kohlrabi, turnips and radishes went into the sweet po-tato beds last week. We can’t wait for the radishes to come up because we love sharing those with the kids. It’s fun watching them pull the radishes and even if the kids hate radishes, they are usually willing to try them since they harvested it. Next week onion

sets (1015, sweet red, and yellow granex) and bok choy go into newly cleared beds.

In other great news in the garden, our partner and gracious host at the Family Garden, Hermann Park Conservancy, is cur-rently rebuilding two of

the beds and adding drip irrigation. We are looking forward to the future when we’ll have the option of using either spray heads or the drip irrigation on every bed in the garden.

A couple of MG’s have taken on specific chores to help get us more organized and directed. Elizabeth Fisher is the administrative queen and her task of documenting our garden work has created a fabulous data set with every vegetable bed’s history since we started in 2018. Judith Brocklehurst took on the cleaning and replanting of the perimeter bed of native pollinators as well as one of the Tuesday talks. She brought a vast array of gardening tools to demonstrate, and we took copious notes on her ideas and sources for Christmas presents.

We’ve had a great turnout of Master Garden-ers, both veteran and interns. Many thanks to Danny Dunn, Elizabeth Fisher, Phil John, Judy Thomas, Judith Brock-lehurst, Vivian Gallant, Marisol Arteaga, Nelson Harbison, and Lisa Lawrence who all continue as regulars on Tuesday and Thursday workdays along with our 2020 interns, Jim Rath, Jacqueline Clarke, and Patricio Arteaga. The Arteagas are amazing since they drive in all the way from Galves-ton each week. We have many more MG’s in and out every other week or so; we’d love for you to come out and see if the Family Garden is the place for you.

Judith Brocklehurst demonstrating garden tools

Harvested vegetables from the Family Garden at Centennial Gardens

Judith Brocklehurst displays an 8 lb. cabbage harvested from the Family Garden.


16

Growing with Plants & Nature Growing with Plants & Nature has moved all in-person events online until further no-tice. Please visit us on our Growing with Plants and Nature Virtual Facebook Group

found at the following link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/GPNVG/

We hope this helps educate families and children on gardening and nature. Programs are tailored to children and their families and include lessons and crafts, combining the

Facebook presence and a monthly live Family Zoom Event.

For information about upcoming topics, dates, and registration, please email us at [email protected]. Registration is required before each Family Zoom Event.

The GPN team is excited about our projects for the coming year. Just a few examples of top-ics for our Zoom Family Events in 2021 include:

· Winter Gardening

· Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

· Monarch Butterflies

· Wildflowers

Also, we will continue our Facebook Group and we’ll pass out free supplies for growing mi-crogreens and making bird feeders for families with children at the fruit tree sales.

The January Family Zoom Event, Winter Gardening, will be presented by Candy Friday and Julee Jackson on January 19, 2021 at 10:00 am. As the first presentation for 2021, we want our students to understand the reasons why we garden and pair that with winter garden activities. We will explore the following concepts:

¨ We garden to learn about science; starting new plants from seeds pro-vides both an educational experience and the hope of renewing Springtime gardens.

¨ We garden to share with others; so rooting leaf, stem, or root cuttings gives us an oppor-tunity to share with friends, develop a sense of community, and cultivate bright Spring gardens.

¨ We garden to enjoy the outdoor environment; so raking leaves into compost/mulch piles brings about a source of nutritional matter to fertilize our Spring gardens and keep them protected from winter’s cold.

¨ We garden to enhance our indoor environment; so cultivating and maintaining healthy household plants provides a refreshing boost to our winter homes.

Julee will help students design and complete an indoor terrarium to enjoy for their winter gar-dening project.


17

Texas A&M AgriLife Extensionin partnership with

Hermann Park Conservancy are pleased to present

Master Gardeners in the Cityat McGovern Centennial Gardens

These educational programs are FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.Extension programs serve people of all ages regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, religion, disability or national origin.

The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas cooperating.

McGovern Centennial Gardens at Hermann Park1500 Hermann Drive

Houston, Texas 77004

When events resume: free tours and children’s activity. "Adult workshop at 10:30 a.m.No registration required.

Visit the Harris County Master Gardeners Facebook page for event details!

www.facebook.com/HarrisCountyMasterGardeners

As a public health precaution to help prevent the spread of Covid-19, Harris County Master Gardeners have suspended in-person

educational events until further notice.

However, this garden is a public space, so you are still welcome to visit according to the guidelines set forth by Hermann Park Conservancy. The Harris

County Master Gardeners maintain the vegetable, herb, berry, and citrus beds in the Family Garden, so if you see one of us working there, feel free to say hi.

http://www.facebook.com/HarrisCountyMasterGardeners


18

Genoa Friendship Garden Workdays are an opportunity for Interns and Master Gardeners to meet with other gardeners, and to learn by working in a variety of gardens. Test your practical gardening skills and learn from other gardeners’ knowledge. Explore the various options of working in a collection of gardens with perennials, proven Earth-Kind winners, the fruit tree orchard, native plants, composting, and greenhouse activities.

Come and enjoy a few hours working in the garden with fellow Gardeners while gaining your required membership service hours.Work tasks will be outlined, and available to gardeners to seek their interest. Garden leads will be on hand to guide you through the tasks.

For some of you that have considered this a distance you couldn't commit to on a regular basis, it is always available if you want to be surrounded by old or new friends.

GFG also offers Mon./Wed. workdays (8:45 a.m. – Noon) for MGs who can attend during the week.

Please join us at our GFG Garden Workdays!

Evan J. HopkinsMaster Gardener

January 9th & 23rdGFG Garden Workdays!

8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.1210 Genoa Red Bluff Road, Houston TX

Appropriate Covid-19 protocols will be observed. As a reminder, please remain socially distanced at least six feet apart, wash your hands and use hand sanitizer. If working closer than six feet, a mask is required.

For Harris County Master Gardeners Only!


19

Gardening ToolsThis chart is a handy guide for knowing the best times to plant in Harris County.

Download the Vegetable Garden

Planting Guide here!

http://counties.agrilife.org/harris/files/2018/08/Vegetable-Planting-Chart-Sept2018.jpghttp://counties.agrilife.org/harris/files/2018/08/Vegetable-Planting-Chart-Sept2018.jpg


Texas a&M agriLife exTension service13105 norThwesT freeway, suiTe 1000 housTon, Tx 77040713-274-0950harris.agrilife.org/program-areas/hort/

hcmga.tamu.edu

Would you like to contribute to the Urban Dirt?Send all questions and/or submissions to: [email protected] you like to contribute to the Urban Dirt?Send all questions and/or submissions to: [email protected]

www.facebook.com/HarrisCountyMasterGardenerswww.facebook.com/HarrisCountyHorticulture

https://twitter.com/pharrishort

https://www.youtube.com/channel

https://www.instagram.com/harriscountymastergardeners

Follow Us On Facebook, Twitter & InstagramThe Harris County Master Gardeners as well as Texas A&M AgriLife Extension - Harris County Horticulture are actively participating on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram offering tips, lists, news and plant advice almost daily. The best part, instead of locating planting guides or insect documents, and sale dates for individuals, you can add the HCMG site to your account and easily share information with others. This is a definitely a timesaver for these busy garden days and helps promote our organization. Reach us via these links:

Green Thumb Gardening Series

Jan. 11, 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. For HCC program, register in advance to receive the link: hccs.edu/community-learning-workshops

Jan. 19, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Simply visit the Harris County Public Library System No reservation required. Watch on Facebook – facebook.com/harriscountypl/live

Pruning BasicsThe Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and the Harris County Master Gardeners are pleased to offer the FREE Green Thumb Gardening Series of Lectures now provided virtually twice a month. We have collaborated with the Harris County Public Library and Houston Community College.
http://harris.agrilife.org/program-areas/hort/https://hcmga.tamu.edu/Public/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.facebook.com/HarrisCountyMasterGardenershttp://www.facebook.com/HarrisCountyHorticulture https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmIhsYf4bJEHqUIFb2vVpkQhttp://hccs.edu/community-learning-workshopshttp://facebook.com/harriscountypl/live

8 e z't-...has county maste gadene newslette • januay 2021 8 e z't-gardening events and nformation...

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