HOME & GARDEN CALENDAR

Aug. 7: Memphis Horticultural Society: 7-8:30 p.m. meeting at Memphis Botanic Garden. “Introduction to Nonconnah Creek Conservancy, Urban Forest Project and The Compost Fairy” with Mike Larrivee. Larrivee is a licensed professional geologist. Refreshments 6:30 p.m., program at 7 p.m. Visitors $5, MHS members free. Memphisbotanicgarden.com. Aug. 9: “Beneficial Insects”: Noon-1 p.m. lunch and learn program at the Shelby County Extension Office, Agricenter International, 7777 Walnut Grove Road. Speaker is garden expert Tonya Ashworth. For more information contact Booker T. Leigh at 901-752-2017. Beverages: 8:15-11:30 a.m. at Memphis Botanic Garden. First two hours spent weeding, grooming, thinning, planting, or whatever else needs doing in the Herb Garden. Last hour spent learning about using herbs to create drinks. Arrive at Horticulture Building by 8:15 a.m. Group will leave the building promptly at 8:30 a.m. Dress appropriately: sun hats and closed toe shoes suggested. Note: this learning opportunity is “purchased” via a barter system: you must work the first two hours (8:15-10:30 a.m.) to attend the last hour of class (10:30-11:30 a.m.), making this a free event). If you have any questions not covered here, call Sherri McCalla at 901-636-4134. Aug 11: Scarecrow Building Seminar: 10 a.m. at Lichterman Nature Center, 5992 Quince. Free. Fun folklore and practical scarecrow building tips. Learn about how to enter the annual Scarecrow Contest, and become eligible for cash prizes. Contest applications accepted through Sept 7. Memphismuseums.org.

Registration for Memphis Horticultural Society’s 2018 Native Plant Conference, Cultivate Wild! just opened. The October 26-27 conference is expected to sell out, so register early! Information at memphishorticulture.org. Society 30th annual Iris Rhizome Sale: 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at Pickering Center (next to Charity Horse Show Arena), 7771 Poplar Pike, Germantown. More than 175 named Tall Bearded varieties for sale. We will also have a limited number of potted iris plants as well as some Siberians, Louisianas, and Spurias. All rhizomes $5. Cash and/or checks onlyClub members on hand to answer all your questions about growing the Iris — Tennessee’s State Flower. Wtis-iris.com/sale.html. Aug. 16: 30 Thursdays. Nature at Night: 6 p.m. at Memphis Botanic Garden. Join Horticulture staff member Sherri McCalla for a guided walk through the Herb Garden and surrounding areas. Free with MBG admission. For more information, visit Memphisbotanic garden.com/30thursdays. Party: 6 p.m. at Memphis Botanic Garden. $40 ($30 MBG members). Design a tiny landscape in a striking terrarium with your buds while getting expert advice on plant care. These indoor alt-gardens feature forgiving plants and soil mixed on-site. Order small plates from Fratelli’s and BYO drinks. Memphisbotanicgarden.com/ 30thursdays. Aug. 23: “Lawn Diseases and Control”: 6:30-7:30 p.m. commercial horticulture program presented by Booker T. Leigh, Shelby County Extension Agent. Shelby County Extension Office, Agricenter International, 7777 Walnut Grove Road (Wing “B”). Call 901-752-2017. Aug. 26: Memphis Orchid Society: 2 p.m. meeting at Memphis Botanic Garden. Jean Ikeson, co-chair of the American Orchid Society editorial board presents the program “Sarcochilus Orchids.” Visitors welcome. Memphisorchids.org. the Mid-South: 6:30 p.m. at Memphis Botanic Garden. Dr. Shannon McGee spends much of his free time paddling the Wolf River and photographing the snakes and turtles he finds there. Besides practicing veterinary medicine at Collierville Animal Clinic, Dr. McGee is a herpetologist with expertise on turtles, snakes, and other reptiles and amphibians. $5 admission. Free to Wolf River Conservancy and MBG members. Aug. 30: 30 Thursdays. Trails and Tails: 6 p.m. at Memphis Botanic Garden. We welcome you and your four legged friend (on a leash) for a walk along our trails. Wood River Animal Rescue will be here with some rescue dogs and info. Free with MBG admission. Complimentary plastic bags. Memphis botanicgarden.com/30thursdays.