HOME & GARDEN CALENDAR

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. Society: 7 p.m. meeting at Memphis Botanic Garden. Clayton Beaty of Beaty Fertilizer Co., gives the program. Refreshments served at 6:30 p.m. Public invited. 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 and pathways. Wood River Animal Rescue will be here with some rescue dogs and info. Free with MBG admission. Complimentary plastic bags. Memphisbotanicgarden.com/30thursdays. Society: 7-8:30 p.m. meeting at Memphis Botanic Garden. "Slow Flowers: The Local Cut Flower Trade" with Brandon Pugh of Del Sol Farm. Delta Sol Farm emphasizes crop productivity with ecological sustainability, while focusing on soil life and vitality to produce high quality, healthy and beautiful flowers. All practices are executed with an appreciation of nature, and with a commitment to providing safe, vibrant and delicious products to our community. Pugh helped start the Cooper Young Community Farmers Market, spent time on their board, has been on the committee of the Mid-South Farm to Table Conference, and has hosted two Outstanding in the Field dinners. Free for members, guests $5. Memphisbotanicgarden.com. Sept. 7: Brooks Museum League: 10:30 a.m. meeting, followed by gallery tour of new exhibition "Ernest C. Withers: A Buck and a Half Apiece" — music-related photos by the acclaimed Memphis photographer. Public welcome at no charge. Information: 901-355-8160 or Museum 901-544-6200. Brooksmuseumleaguememphis.org. Feasting: 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 accent food: herbed popcorn, salads, goat cheese, appetizers, and more. Cold water and bug spray available; bring your favorite hand tools for weeding and grooming (soil knives, Cape Cod weeders, old kitchen knives, trowels, pruners, gloves, etc. — no hoes or rakes needed). Arrive at Horticulture Building by 8:15 a.m. Dress appropriately: sun hats, 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. Any questions not covered here, call Sherri McCalla @ 901-636-4134. Sept. 8: Growing Ferns from Spores: 10 a.m.-noon at Memphis Botanic Garden. $10 ($5 MBG members). Join experienced fern propagator and President of the Memphis Fern Society, Dr. Eugene McKenzie for this hands-on class on spore sowing. Everything provided for participants to take home at least 2 species of fern in nursery cups. Class size limited. 901-636-4128. Secret Lives of Plants: 1 p.m. garden seminar at Urban Earth by Greg Touliatos, 80 Flicker St. Free. Plant pollination is a not well understood subject and this entertaining talk covers it and much more. If you like flowers, this will help you understand the role they play and even how insects help us live our lives. 901-323-0031. Urbanearthmemphis.com. Display: Scarecrows created by local groups, teams, organizations and individuals who have entered the Scarecrow Contest (entries accepted til Sept. 7). Sign up for contest by visiting memphismuseums.org/lichterman-naturecenter/events/sign-up-for-scarecrows/ Deadline to submit an entry is Sept. 7. Contest judging will be Sept 13.