Live Cheaper, Better and Greener

LaVerne Williams, AIA, LEED AP. of Environmental Associates, the patriarch of green building in Houston, will talk about building environmentally friendly homes literally from the ground up.

“We can make homes out of what’s on your land,” he said. “But I’m not only going to tell you how to save energy, I’m also going to tell you how to make your home healthy. It is about quality of life and healthy homes.”

Brenda Beust Smith “The Lazy Gardener” also applies a holistic approach to gardening. She will be at the show both days, focusing on educating budding gardeners on not only how to get the best garden with the least amount of effort, but she will also focus on which plants promote water conservation and less pollution.

“We spend more money on watering and fertilizing our lawns than on any other area of the yard. We’re using pesticides and fertilizers that are washing into the bayous and causing major problems,” she said. “But you can use lower-water plants, plants that do not need pesticides or fertilizers and those that attract more beneficial wildlife to your garden.”

Smith will also talk about creating a rain garden, an inventive way of discreetly stockpiling rainwater underground in your lawn.

“You plant a rain garden and that water will drain into it and keep your subsoil moist,” she said. “Then your trees will have water they can reach in the summertime. It’s a holistic way of keeping what water you have on your lawn without watering.”

Get one-on-one time with Smith at the Ask the Expert Booth on Saturday, 11am-4pm and Sunday, Noon-4pm. Bring your questions, pictures, and gardening dilemmas for this gardening guru and leave with the answers you need. It's Q&A all day for gardening pro's and newbies!

Houston radio personality Randy Lemmon will conduct a gardening seminar on Saturday and Sunday and will also broadcast his popular show, GardenLine, from the show on Saturday.

Free Native Texas Trees at Texas Forest Service Booth.

Be one of the first 500 to visit the Texas Forest Service booth and you'll get a free bare root, native Texas hardwood seedling. The seedlings are species that do well in an urban environment like oaks, river birch and bald cypress. Celebrate Arbor Day early by planting a native Texas hardwood seedling compliments of Texas Forest Service, booth 709.

Dan Marshall of Innovative Skylights and Attics will talk about the best way to insulate and ventilate your attic, while lowering your electricity bill using solar-powered attic fans and other products.

Gary Anderson with Root Wall Pro will speak on how to repair and protect your home’s foundation without damaging the surrounding trees and plantings. Also on hand will be Greg Pruitt with Rock-Crete Foam Insulators and Brandon Lynch, NAHB Certified Green Builder with Keechi Creek Builders.

As an added "green" treat stop by the One Green Street Exhibit - a new green products store with everything from Organic Mattresses to Eco Fireplaces and organic snacks to soaps, teas and coffees.

He's not green but he used to be red. By any color Rudy Tomjanovich "Rudy T" was and still is perhaps the most popular former Houston Rocket ever. The beloved former player and coach will be on hand to sign autographs and visit with attendees (both days).

Creating a world more in harmony with the environment is a major concern in today’s world with trendy phrases like “carbon footprint,” “eco-friendly” and “going green” enticing people to try their green thumb on more than household plants. Hear fantastic speakers on two stages and visit over 200 exhibitors with new ideas, new products and services.