Axe ’Em, Jacks!
SFA Gardens at Stephen F. Austin State University will host the monthly Theresa and Les Reeves Lecture Series at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 13, in the new Ina Brundrett Conservation Education Building at the Pineywoods Native Plant Center, 2900 Raguet St. in Nacogdoches. Garden writer Jay White will present "Weed Free-Organically."
White is a gardener from Brenham. His love for growing things led him to pursue a master's degree in horticulture from Texas A&M University at the age of 48. While at A&M, he started "The Masters of Horticulture" blog (masterofhort.com). This blog provides organic gardening tips for growing in Texas' incredibly variable and unpredictable climate. White also is a staff writer for Texas Gardener magazine. His "potager" (kitchen garden) has been featured on Central Texas Gardener, and his work on locally grown, sustainable, fresh-cut flowers led to his inclusion in Debra Prinzing's latest book "The 50 Mile Bouquet."
White grows vegetables and ornamentals in several different types of gardens on his property. His most popular is his "potager." This small, raised-bed garden with brick paved walk paths is a highly productive combination of vegetables, herbs and flowers. The potager is as much for visual enjoyment as it is for food production. Through careful plant selection and unique companion plantings, the potager is a place that fills the stomach and feeds the soul.
As an organic grower, White is intimately aware of the weed-control issues that face the organic gardener. His efforts to control the Bermuda and other weeds in his gardens led to the creation of the "Four Ps of Weed Control." This integrated program stresses the need for proper bed preparation, use of pre-emergent and post-emergent tools, and perseverance.
Although traditionally held the third Thursday of each month, the Theresa and Les Reeves Lecture Series will now be held on second Thursdays. A rare plant raffle will be held after the program. The lecture is free and open to the public, but donations to the Theresa and Les Reeves Lecture Series fund always are appreciated. Parking is available at the nearby Early Childhood Research Center, 2428 Raguet St.
For more information, call (936) 468-1832 or email grantdamon@sfasu.edu.