By Karolyn Gephart
Figs are part of Friendswood’s heritage, and information on the historical fruit will be given to Heritage Gardeners at their upcoming meeting on March 6, 2025. Galveston County Master Gardener Barbara Canetti will provide an informative presentation.
Canetti is a journalist by career and education and is familiar to many with her work at The Houston Post and UH-Downtown campus, where she worked as a professor. Originally from Long Island, New York, her newspaper career began at the Tampa Times but centered itself in Houston after she was recruited by the Houston Poat and UPI (United Press International). Her husband, Carolos Rios, worked as a photojournalist for the Houston Chronicle when they met and married. Now, both are retired, and Canetti is known for her gardening.
She was encouraged to become involved in gardening by her friend and colleague Kathy Huber, who was the Chronicle’s Garden Editor at the time. Barbara counted on Huber to give her gardening tips and solutions until Huber finally successfully encouraged her to get involved in the Galveston County Master Gardener program. In 2016, she began the program and is an active participant today in charge of the fig trees in the orchard of the GCMG Discovery Garden, as well as a popular speaker.
Canetti will speak at 10 am at the garden clubhouse at 112 W. Spreading Oaks in Friendswood. The meeting begins with a Meet and Greet with refreshments at 9:30 am. Anyone interested in the fig presentation is invited to attend.
The gardeners are also involved in preparing for their annual spring fundraiser, Through the Garden Gate Tour of private home gardens. Along the April 26 and 27 tours, there will be a flower show (Splendor of Spring), a vendor market, a huge plant sale, and raffles. Only the tours require tickets, which will be sold at local businesses. The tours are from 1-5 pm both days, and each ticket is good for both days. The flower show, vendor market, and plant sale will run both days from 9 am to 4 pm. They are happening at 112 W. Spreading Oaks.\
Heritage Gardeners were formed in 1966 and will celebrate their 60th anniversary in 2026.
Follow Heritage Gardeners of Friendswood on Facebook.
