SFA Gardens to host seminar and potluck

Dawn Stover, research associate for SFA Gardens, and Jocelyn Moore, assistant education coordinator, will lead a public seminar on the best-suited vegetables for East Texas and lasagna gardening from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Feb. 4, at the SFA Pineywoods Native Plant Center, located at 2900 Raguet St. Participants are encouraged to stay for a potluck after the hands-on workshop.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas - Make plans to join the staff members of Stephen F. Austin State University's SFA Gardens for a public seminar offering the opportunity to learn, serve and break bread with fellow gardeners from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Feb. 4, at the SFA Pineywoods Native Plant Center, located at 2900 Raguet St.

Dawn Stover, research associate at SFA Gardens, will discuss her favorite garden vegetables that are best suited for the East Texas climate, and Jocelyn Moore, assistant education coordinator at SFA Gardens, will explore the technique of "lasagna gardening," a method used to build rich soil with little cost.

Participants will then have an opportunity to use their new knowledge while preparing beds for the Native Edibles area at the Pineywoods Native Plant Center.

"This event is modeled after the concept of a 'permablitz,' a tradition of coming together to learn a skill, share labor to establish gardens or infrastructure and build community," Moore said. "The project also will help establish fertile soil in the new gardening beds for Nacogdoches Naturally, an afterschool nature club offered in conjunction with the Boy's and Girls Club.

"Lasagna gardening, also called sheet mulching, is the process of layering organic materials that will decompose over time, similar to a compost pile. Utilizing this method and planting resilient vegetables in your garden will greatly increase the likelihood of a successful harvest. Brown and green thumbs alike are encouraged to join us for this enriching day," Moore added.

Participants are encouraged to wear work clothes and bring a dish to share for a potluck following the seminar.

To register for the seminar, contact the SFA Gardens education office at (936) 468-1832 or sfagardens@sfasu.edu. A $5 donation is suggested.