President, Norma Chiaramonte, called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. at the Phase 3 Community Center, located at 10080 Cypress Creek Bend Ln (near Tuckerton Rd).
THOSE IN ATTENDANCE INCLUDED: Bev & Larry Allen, Norma Chiaramonte, Kathie Corbett, Sandra Gilbert, Kristina Haygood, Liz Hearn, Ian McWilliam and Nicole, Marcia & Dave Mausolf, Cathy Oland, Mike Owens, Kathi Palacios, Ann Schmidt, Melissa Yahner, and guest Stefanie Matta.
PROGRAM: Sandra Gilbert presented Robert Richter with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, who spoke on “Container Gardening.” Robert also told us that they have an OPEN GARDEN DAY on the 4th Tuesday each month. They are located at 3033 Bear Creek Dr, Houston 77084.
For Gardening Questions:
- Ask a Master Gardener: 281-855-5600 9 am – 3 pm Mon-Fri
- Ask online: ask.extension.org/ask
- Drop in or mail us: 3033 Bear Creek Dr. Houston TX 77084 Their website is: harris.agrilife.org/hort.
YARD OF THE MONTH: Kathie announced that Isaac and Barbara Wang were the recipients of the Yard of the Month.
HOSTESS: Thank you to Ian McWilliam and Ann Wiseman Schmidt for being hostess this month!
DOOR PRIZE: Thank you to Bev & Larry Allen for the door prize, won by Ann W Schmidt.
MINUTES: Marcia made a motion to dispense with the reading of the minutes and was seconded by Bev.
OLD BUSINESS:
Committee Reports
Bricks: Sandra said she would place an order for commemorative bricks when she gets more orders.
Butterfly Garden: Larry said that Kyle had trimmed back many plants due to the recent freeze. He did not have a date set for the Spring planting.
Signs: Larry said that he would pick up the signs after the meeting.
Field Trips: There were 13 members at the Valentine Dinner on Friday, February 10. The dinner moved at the last minute to Dario’s.
Jr Gardener Event: Liz said she would talk to Lyn and get started on planning the event. The date will be May 6, the Saturday before Mother’s Day. Mike suggested that we have a fire truck and a police car there for an added attraction for the attendees. Norma will check on getting the fire truck
Yard of the Month: Kathie said she had several members who were helping with the yard selection, including Kristina, Ellen, Marcia, and Bev.
NEW BUSINESS:
Norma announced that the Houston Federation dues had been increased from $ 7 to $ 8 per member. These dues are paid by the club.
Brookwood Events: Marcia told us that Brookwood will be having two new events as follows:
- Saturday, Feb 25 – 10:00 am – Free workshop “Clean up your Yard after the Freeze with Organic Products”
- Thursday, March 16 – 10:30 am - $19.95 plus tax includes lunch – Linda Gay (Horticulturist & Garden Designer) “Get Ready for Summer Gardening”
Brookwood also has Horticulture Tours – Monday thru Friday 9-11 or 1-3, by appointment only, given by Mark Rainey (Horticulture Manager) for a behind the scenes tour of their horticulture department.
Norma reminded us to be thinking about our April meeting, in which we will have a “Show & Tell” program by our members. She will have a sign-up sheet at the March meeting for your presentation.
GARDENING TIP OF THE MONTH: Don’t commit “Crape Myrtle Massacre” Prune Crape Myrtles any time during February. The only required pruning is to take off last year’s seed pods. This means: simply remove any branches that are growing inward, crossing or rubbing. Don’t over-prune to the same spot every year.
NEXT MEETING: March 13, 2017 at Cypress Creek Lakes Community Center, 10702 Cypress Creek Bend Ln (our regular meeting place).
SPEAKER: Bev and Larry
HOSTESS: Bonnie Buhl
DOOR PRIZE: Bonnie Buhl
Meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
President, Norma Chiaramonte, called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. at the Cypress Creek Lakes Community Center.
PROGRAM: Larry asked Sherri Harrah with Plants for All Seasons to speak. Her presentation was on several gardening topics, including how deep to plant tomatoes, how to get rid of ants in your yard, how to plant vegetable seed, and she showed us many other products and explained their uses. Sherri gave out all the products she brought to show us as door prizes. Sherri told us that her guide on when to plant vegetables and herbs is on their website at www.plantsforallseasons.com 
MINUTES: Marcia made a motion to dispense with the reading of the minutes and was seconded by Bev.
PROGRAM: Jennifer’s father-in-law, Ken Burchert, spoke on Backyard Beekeeping. He brought a bee hive box to show how bees are kept.
YARD OF THE MONTH: Kathie announced that Mark & Idalia Laber were the recipients of the Yard of the Month.
DOOR PRIZE: Thank you to Jennifer for the two door prizes, won by Ian and Melissa.
Happy Holidays to all!
THOSE IN ATTENDANCE INCLUDED: Bev & Larry Allen, Norma Chiaramonte, Kathie Corbett, Sandra Gilbert, Debbie Haluch, Liz Hearn, Ellen & Mark Jones, Ian McWilliam & Nicole, Marcia & Dave Mausolf, Cathy Oland, Mike Owens, Peggy & Doc Stokley, Beth Weers, Melissa Yahner. Our Guests were Micheal Dodson and Liz Dunphy who were the Yard of the Month Winners, and Barb Besecker.
YARD OF THE MONTH: Kathie announced that Micheal Dodson and Liz Dunphy were the recipients of the Yard of the Month, and presented them with a certificate.
