Karen Zurawski

retired from the Houston Chronicle

[Karen Zurawski @catwrite]

Here is this week's installment of Friend or Foe from the Fort Bend County Master Gardeners Help Desk. Contact the Help Desk at [email protected] or 281-341-7068. The Help Desk is manned Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-noon. https://t.co/GTgAOOxY1Y and https://t.co/5irZQS193u

[Karen Zurawski @catwrite]

The 42nd annual Fort Bend Regional Vegetable Conference is set for Feb. 4 in Rosenberg. The multi-track program offers sessions tailored to different groups such as Master Gardeners and teachers. Call for details: 281-342-3034. Register at https://t.co/AXms5uZkFv

[Karen Zurawski @catwrite]

Here is another installment of Fun Fact Friday from the Fort Bend County Master Gardeners Help Desk. Contact the Help Desk at [email protected] or 281-341-7068. Learn more at https://t.co/TmR52O9pQd

[Karen Zurawski @catwrite]

Green Milkweed (Asclepias viridis) is a tough, low-growing native perennial plant with striking green-and-purple flowers and a deep taproot. It is a vital host plant for Monarch butterfly caterpillars and provides essential nectar for native pollinators.https://t.co/h2FwmtmxpY

[Karen Zurawski @catwrite]

It's What is . . . ? Wednesday. Today's term is Spiny Slug Caterpillar (Euclea delphinii) Their abdominal legs lack tiny hooks and their prolegs are short, so they resemble slugs. https://t.co/3KVklSyGuk, https://t.co/s32Y22tMGr

[Karen Zurawski @catwrite]

This week is recognized as Texas Native Plant Week. The Texas Legislature adopted a bill in 2009 to highlight the role of native plants and to encourage children to learn about their importance. https://t.co/b7ytPRBQYC, https://t.co/68847QBuI3 and https://t.co/DdQHGCFyVG

[Karen Zurawski @catwrite]

Fort Bend County Master Gardener Deborah Birge will talk about "Mastering the Texas Freeze-Winter Maintenance & Survival Tactics" Nov. 14 at Enchanted Forest in Richmond. The free program-part of the Landscape Success series will be offered from 3-5 p.m.

[Karen Zurawski @catwrite]

Here is this week's installment of Friend or Foe from the Fort Bend County Master Gardeners Help Desk. Contact the Help Desk at [email protected] or 281-341-7068. https://t.co/6tPOUYZSKc, https://t.co/ygNW4PGVx1, https://t.co/CaIKxELQbH

[Karen Zurawski @catwrite]

"Companion Plants" is the topic of the free Oct. 26 program offered by the Brightwater Garden Club. It will be presented at 6:30 p.m. by Fort Bend County Master Gardener Angela Chan at 2410 Brightwater Drive in Missouri City. Details: 281-468-8857. https://t.co/vteNPyOjSz

[Karen Zurawski @catwrite]

Here is another installment of Fun Fact Friday from the Fort Bend County Master Gardeners Help Desk. Contact the Help Desk at [email protected] or 281-341-7068. https://t.co/NVqNlVOCZk, https://t.co/c1DVzeTapr, https://t.co/0epxRFWfbW

[Karen Zurawski @catwrite]

The prairie coneflower most commonly refers to Ratibida columnifera (also widely known as the Upright Prairie Coneflower, Long-headed Coneflower, or Mexican Hat plant). It is excellent for native pollinators. https://t.co/RrZeri1ZBh, https://t.co/lhoLEGCjLm

[Karen Zurawski @catwrite]

Are you interested in opportunities to garden in your community? With the help of the Fort Bend Community Task Force, you can have access to free resources to get a community garden started. Contact 281-633-7006/[email protected]

[Karen Zurawski @catwrite]

It's What is . . . ? Wednesday. Today's term is Obscure Bird Grasshopper (Schistocerca obscura) One of the largest grasshoppers, it can explode into flight if disturbed and looks like a small which is how it got its name. https://t.co/yxd6Xzx0ph, https://t.co/HeyYk33v4s

[Karen Zurawski @catwrite]

Got a shady spot in your garden that you'd like to fill? Consider Farfugium, also known as leopard plant and tractor seat plant because its leaves can vary in width from 6 to 18 inches. https://t.co/XswaCqHHJr, https://t.co/z9uhRF6omN

[Karen Zurawski @catwrite]

October is a good time to plant seeds for spring-blooming wildflowers. Michael Arnold, professor of landscape horticulture in the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Department of Horticultural Sciences, suggests using a regional seed mix. https://t.co/9RSju6C8fq

[Karen Zurawski @catwrite]

Here is this week's installment of Friend or Foe from the Fort Bend County Master Gardeners Help Desk. Contact it at [email protected] or 281-341-7068. The Help Desk is manned Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-noon. Learn more at https://t.co/4iPksDGIcn, https://t.co/Z8mHQ1Gfk7

[Karen Zurawski @catwrite]

A big THANK YOU to all who shopped this morning at the Fort Bend County Master Gardener Fall Vegetable/Herb Plant Sale in Rosenberg. All sale proceeds are used to support the mission of Texas AgriLife Extension Service in Fort Bend County and the FBC Master Gardeners’ programs.

[Karen Zurawski @catwrite]

Here is another installment of Fun Fact Friday from the Fort Bend County Master Gardeners Help Desk. Contact the Help Desk at [email protected] or 281-341-7068. Learn more at https://t.co/qLGZeGXlGR

[Karen Zurawski @catwrite]

The obedient plant (Physostegia virginiana), also known as false dragonhead, is a North American native perennial in the mint family. It produces dense spikes of tubular flowers which are a pollinator favorite. https://t.co/jMo5sP15Eh, https://t.co/BUOXlBKTow

[Karen Zurawski @catwrite]

It's Fort Bend County Master Gardeners' What is . . . ? Wednesday. Today's term is Yellow Garden Spider (Argiope aurantia). It is considered the largest spider in Galveston/Houston. https://t.co/pHC3zOgihb, https://t.co/KfSgarxUix