SFA Mast Arboretum to host gardening seminar

Sharon Lee Smith, co-owner of Blue Moon Gardens, will present "Herbs in the Landscape and in the Kitchen" at an SFA Mast Arboretum gardening seminar Sept. 13.

The Stephen F. Austin State University Mast Arboretum will host a gardening seminar titled "Herbs in the Landscape and in the Kitchen" from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 13.

The class, led by Sharon Lee Smith, co-owner of Blue Moon Gardens in Chandler, Texas, will be held in the Agriculture Building, Room 118, at SFA. Participants will learn about many aspects of herb gardening for the landscape and the kitchen, including growing, maintenance, pruning, harvesting and plant selection for East Texas. Each participant also will create a mixed herb container to take home.

Smith, who holds a degree from SFA in horticulture, has been growing herbs and perennials wholesale since 1984 and continues to do so for the retail nursery. She also designs gardens, emphasizing a natural look that includes herbs, perennials and grasses. Gardening still is Sharon's number-one hobby, and she gardens regularly with the help of her five rescue dogs and two cats. In the past few years, she also has enjoyed knitting and approaches it with the same enthusiasm for color and texture as she does her garden designs.

Cost of the seminar is $25 for SFA Garden members and $35 for non-members. To register, call the education office at (936) 468-1832 or email erodewald@sfasu.edu.