Title: Horticulturist Shares Gardening Knowledge Through Weekly Newsletter
In Nacogdoches, Texas, Dr. Jared Barnes, an associate professor of horticulture at Stephen F. Austin State University, is sharing his wealth of gardening knowledge through a free weekly email newsletter called “plant-ed.” Inspired by his great-grandfather’s teachings and his childhood fascination with meteorology, Dr. Barnes has found a way to connect with fellow gardeners and students alike.
The newsletter, which includes links to must-read articles and his own blog posts, serves as a “forcing function” for Dr. Barnes to stay up-to-date on the latest horticultural information. It also allows him to answer questions from his curious students and explore new topics that pique his interest.
One of Dr. Barnes’ recent projects includes overseeing a trial garden at the Plantery, a campus botanic garden, where he hopes to gather performance data on Southern plants. He also draws inspiration from his personal garden, Ephemera Farm, where he cultivates a wild and ecological landscape filled with native plants.
To further expand his knowledge, Dr. Barnes subscribes to newsletters like Grow Like Wild and The Prairie Ecologist, which provide valuable insights on ecological gardening practices. He also looks to sources like Dig Delve for inspiration on meadow making techniques.
Despite the challenges of gardening in East Texas, including acidic soil and extreme weather conditions, Dr. Barnes remains dedicated to experimenting and learning from nature. His commitment to sharing his findings and engaging with the gardening community through his newsletter reflects his passion for horticulture and his desire to inspire others to cultivate their own gardens.
As Dr. Barnes continues to explore new ideas and adapt practices from around the world to his unique gardening environment, he remains a reliable source of information and inspiration for fellow gardeners seeking to deepen their understanding of plants and ecosystems.
