Q: It pains me to see so many crape myrtles chopped down to ugly stubs. I see it everywhere, with properly pruned myrtles almost outnumbered by crape "murdered" trees. Will you provide pruning advice? Betty Pritchett, Houston A: The annual "crape myrtle murder" discussion has begun, so here are guidelines to prune these low-maintenance flowering trees. Crapes do not need to be pruned to bloom. However, a tree can benefit from late-winter pruning to remove dead, weak or crossing branches and suckers at the base. But avoid mutilation. Trim to maintain or restore a natural shape. Remove branches 2 inches or less in diameter, if necessary. Don't top the trees.

ONGOING The Mercer Society Gift and Plant Shoppe: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sundays at 400 Main, Old Town Spring; 281-651-5475, themercersociety.org/ways-to-give/donate. Sales proceeds benefit flood-damaged Mercer Botanic Gardens. SATURDAY First Saturday Birding: with Al Barr. 7:45 a.m. at Jesse H. Jones Park and Nature Center, 20634 Kenswick, Humble; 281-446-8588, hcp4.net/community/parks/jones. Free, ages 10 and older. Amend, Feed, Protect - Simple Steps to Grow Better: with David Young from Soil Menders. 10 a.m. at Enchanted Forest, 10611 FM 2759, Richmond; 2 p.m. at Enchanted Gardens, 6420 FM 359, Richmond; myenchanted.com. Free. Tomato Time: with the Gunters. 9 a.m. at Buchanan's Native Plants, 611 E.

A seed packet may be small, but it speaks volumes. While seed catalogs promote thousands of types of plants, seed packets tell gardeners how to grow one. All the information is printed on the back of a paper pouch slightly larger than the size of your wallet, and at prices that won't empty it. Although the cost of seeds has risen over the past few years, they're still an economical way to garden, said Elsa Sanchez, a commercial vegetable crops specialist at Penn State University Extension. "The other option would be to buy transplants, which is generally more expensive," Sanchez said. "You also find a lot more options for types and cultivars when you start from seed.

ONGOING The Mercer Society Gift and Plant Shoppe: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sundays at 400 Main, Old Town Spring; 281-651-5475, themercersociety.org/ways-to-give/donate. Sale proceeds benefit flood-damaged Mercer Botanic Gardens. SATURDAY Harris County Master Gardeners' Fruit Tree Sale: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Houston Farm and Ranch parking lot, adjacent the Texas AgriLife Extension Service parking lot, 3033 Bear Creek Drive; hcmga.tamu.edu. Free. Montgomery County Master Gardeners' Fruit and Nut Tree Sale: 8 a.m. plant preview, 9 a.m.-noon sale at the Texas AgriLife Extension Service, 9020 Airport, Conroe; 936-539-7824, mcmga.com. Free. Begin Growing Your Own Fruit Trees: with John Panzarella. 10 a.m.

Now is the time to clean up the mushy, stinky stuff in your garden, advises the Harris County Texas AgriLife Extension Service. But don't prune anything with bark until danger of frost has passed.

IN JANUARY The Mercer Society Gift and Plant Shoppe: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sundays, 400 Main, 281-651-5475, themercersociety.org/ways-to-give/donate. Sales proceeds benefit flood-damaged Mercer Botanic Gardens. SATURDAY Urban Harvest Fruit Tree Sale: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Houston Community College West Loop Campus, 5601 West Loop S.; urbanharvest.org/fruit-tree-sale. Free admission; fruit trees starting at $12. SATURDAY-SUNDAY Weekend Market: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday at Another Place in Time, 1102 Tulane; 713-864-9717. Free. Conroe Camellia Show and Plant Sale: sponsored by the Coushatta Camellia Society. 1-4 p.m. at the First Christian Church, 3500 North Loop 336 W.

Urban Harvest's annual sale is the place to get fruit trees for the Houston area. It has become the largest single-day fruit-tree sale in the nation during its 18-year history.

SATURDAY Winter Bird Count: 7:45 a.m. at Jesse H. Jones Park and Nature Center, 20634 Kenswick, Humble; 281-446-8588, hcp4.net/community/parks/jones. Free. Ages 10 and older. Insider's Tour: The North Dry Garden: 10 a.m.-noon at Peckerwood Garden, 20559 FM 359, Hempstead; 979-826-3232; register at peckerwoodgarden.org. Members free, nonmembers $15. TUESDAYS-SundaysIN JANUARY The Mercer Society Gift and Plant Shoppe: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sundays at 400 Main, 281-651-5475, themercersociety.org/ways-to-give/donate. Sales proceeds benefit flood-damaged Mercer Botanic Gardens. MONDAY Getting Your Beds Ready for Bulbs: with Flors Tieldt. Tomball Garden Club program. 9:30 a.m.

Winter and early spring are lean times for honeybees as they emerge from their hives, where food supplies are dwindling, to forage. Adding clusters of winter-blooming plants around the yard will give them much needed nourishment. Bees take in carbohydrates from floral nectar and protein from floral pollen. Being aware of bloom times and providing flowers that overlap the seasons are important for beekeepers who want to successfully overwinter their colonies. Some bees, including many wild varieties, begin searching for food when sunny days push temperatures up to 55 degrees Fahrenheit or more.

SATURDAY Santa at the Enchanted Forest: 10 a.m.-2 p.m., 10611 FM 2759, Richmond; 281-937-9449, myenchanted.com. Free. Trees and Stars Winter Celebration: with the Houston Astronomical Society. 6:30-9:30 p.m. at the Houston Arboretum and Nature Center, 4501 Woodway; 713-681-8433, register at houstonarboretum.org. $30 members, $45 nonmembers, $15 children ages 5-12. SATURDAY-SUNDAY Weekend Market: 9 a.m.-5 Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday at Another Place in Time, 1102 Tulane; 713-864-9717. Free. Friday-Dec. 17 Weekend Market: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 16, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 17 at Another Place in Time, 1102 Tulane; 713-864-9717. Free. DEC. 16 Critters' Christmas: edible decorating for wildlife. 10 a.m. at Jesse H.

SATURDAY Peckerwood Garden Open Day: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at Peckerwood Garden, 20559 FM 359, Hempstead; 979-826-3232; register at peckerwoodgarden.org. Members free, $10 nonmembers. SATURDAY-SUNDAY Weekend Market: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday at Another Place in Time, 1102 Tulane; 713-864-9717. Free. WEDNESDAY Holiday Interior and Exterior Landscaping: with gardener Diane Bulanowski, designer Chuck Kremers and stylist Susan Kuhn. 6 p.m. at Buchanan's Native Plants, 611 E. 11th; 713-861-5702, tickets at buchanansplants.com. $25. Friday-DEC. 3 Weekend Market: 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 2, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 3 at Another Place in Time, 1102 Tulane; 713-864-9717. Free. DEC.

SATURDAY Urban Harvest's Edible Landscapes: 9:30-11:30 a.m. at the Houston Museum of Natural Science, Moran Hall, 5555 Hermann Park Drive; 713-880-5540, urbanharvest.org. $30. Pecan Celebration: with Kelsey Low. 10 a.m.-noon at Houston Arboretum and Nature Center, 4501 Woodway; 713-681-8433, register at houstonarboretum.org. $20 members, $35 nonmembers; ages 13 and older. DIY Paper: with Kelsey Low. 1-3 p.m. at Houston Arboretum and Nature Center, 4501 Woodway; 713-681-8433, register at houstonarboretum.org. $20 members, $35 nonmembers; ages 16 and older. Plant Texas Natives: 10 a.m. at Jesse H. Jones Park & Nature Center, 20634 Kenswick, Humble; reservations at 281-446-8588, hcp4.net/community/parks/jones. Free.

SATURDAY Lone Star African Violet Council 2017 Convention: show 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m., plant sale 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at Wyndham Houston West Energy Corridor, 14703 Park Row Blvd.; Karla Ross, 281-748-8417, kjwross@yahoo.com. Free. Christmas Open House: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. at Cornelius Nursery, 2233 S. Voss; 713-292-0898, workshop schedule at corneliusnurseries.com. Free. Unplugged Adventure: Putting Down Roots Volunteer Prairie Planting: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at Katy Prairie Conservancy's Indiangrass Preserve, 31950 Hebert, Waller; katyprairie.org/directions. Free. Peckerwood Garden Open Day: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at Peckerwood Garden, 20559 FM 359, Hempstead; 979-826-3232; register at peckerwoodgarden.org. Members free, $10 nonmembers.

SATURDAY Urban Harvest's Starting a Community or School Garden Workshop: 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at the University of St. Thomas, Jerabeck Athletic Center, Building 30, 3812 Yoakum; 713-880-5540, urbanharvest.org $20. 45th annual Herb Fair: presented by the South Texas Unit of The Herb Society of America. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at Judson Robinson Community Center, 2020 Hermann Drive; herb plants, jellies, blends, crafts, bath and beauty products, light refreshments; herbsociety-stu.org. Free. Open Gardens Day: sponsored by Montgomery County Master Gardeners. 9-11 a.m. at Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, 9020 Airport, Conroe; 936-539-7824, mcmga.com. Free. The Secret Life of Squirrels: with Kelsey Low. 9:30-11:30 a.m.

SATURDAY Peckerwood Garden Open Day: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at Peckerwood Garden, 20559 FM 359, Hempstead; 979-826-3232; register at peckerwoodgarden.org. Members free, $10 nonmembers. The Foodscape Revolution: with Brie Arthur. 5:30 p.m. at Peckerwood Garden, 20559 FM 359, Hempstead; 979-826-3232; registration at peckerwoodgarden.org. $15. Fruit Tree Class: with Jim Maas and Pat Cordray. 10 a.m. at Maas Nursery, 5511 Todville, Seabrook; 281-474-2488, maasnursery.com. $25. Creating Containers for Holiday Enjoyment with Judy: 10 a.m. at Enchanted Forest, 10611 FM 2759, Richmond, 281-937-9449; myenchanted.com. Free. Monarch Butterflies & Milkweed: with Barbara Willy, executive director, founder of Monarch Butterfly Gateway, Fort Bend County.

SATURDAY, OCT. 21 Dirt into Soil: with Galveston County Master Gardener Jim Gilliam. 9-11 a.m. at Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Building, 4102 Main-B, La Marque; 281-534-3413, aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston, email registration to galvcountymgs@gmail.com. Free, but registration required. ArBOOretum: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Houston Arboretum and Nature Center, 4501 Woodway; 713-681-8433, register at houstonarboretum.org. Members free, $15 nonmembers. Pumpkin and Succulent Make and Take: 10 a.m. at Enchanted Forest, 10611 FM 2759, Richmond, 281-937-9449; 2 p.m. at Enchanted Gardens, 6420 FM 359, Richmond, 281-341-1206; myenchanted.com. Prices start around $29.99. Rain Gardens: with Angela Chandler, The Garden Academy. 10 a.m.

SATURDAY Montgomery County Master Gardeners' Fall Plant Sale: plant presentation 8 a.m., sale 9 a.m.-noon at Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, 9020 Airport, Conroe; 936-539-7824, mcmga.com. Free. Galveston County Master Gardeners' Fall Plant Sale: plant presentation 8 a.m., sale 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Galveston County Fair Grounds, Rodeo Arena, Texas 6 and Jack Brooks Road, Hitchcock; aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston.Free. Urban Harvest's Ancient Art of Fermentation: 20-minute demonstrations at 8:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. at Urban Harvest Farmer's Market, 3000 Richmond; 713-880-5540, urbanharvest.org. Free. 75th annual Bulb Mart: sponsored by the Garden Club of Houston. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at St.

The Garden Club of Houston's Bulb and Plant Mart, Thursday-Saturday, is the place to get bulbs.

SATURDAY Fall Festival: family activities 9 a.m.-7 p.m., pumpkin decorating classes at 10 a.m., 2 p.m., 4 p.m. at Cornelius Nursery, 2233 S. Voss; register at corneliusnurseries.com. Free. Nature Revealed: Monarchs: with Kelsey Low. 9:30-11:30 a.m. at the Houston Arboretum and Nature Center, 4501 Woodway; 713-681-8433, register at houstonarboretum.org. $20 members, $35 nonmembers. Peckerwood Garden's Oak Collection: 10 a.m.-noon at 20559 FM 359, Hempstead; 979-826-3232; register at peckerwoodgarden.org. Nonmembers $15, members free. Hibiscus Class and Hibiscus Grafting: with Jim Maas and Joe Miller. 10 a.m. at Maas Nursery, 5511 Todville, Seabrook; 281-474-2488, maasnursery.com. $35.

Q: I am moving to Indiana in late spring, and I'd like your advice on taking some of my Houston plants. I want to move some scadoxus from the ground to pots. When should I do this? I also have potted lycoris. What will their blooming behavior be in zone 5? I'd like to pot up a small Rangoon creeper. How should I overwinter it, and how large must a potted creeper be in order to bloom? Dave Sherron, Houston A: Divide and transplant/pot the scadoxus, or blood lily, when the foliage has yellowed and is dying down, as the South African bulb goes dormant for the winter. Blood lily produces softball-size orange-red blooms on tall stems in spring in Houston-area gardens. The lance-shaped foliage appears after the flowers.