About the Blog:
This blog is updated by Extension Master Gardener Volunteers (EMGV) from Durham County, NC. Our goal is to provide research based gardening information to the public. If you have a question for the Master Gardeners, please contact us at our office (721 Foster Street, Durham, NC), by phone (919-560-0528), or by email (mastergardener@dconc.gov). Our office hours are Monday – Friday, 9-4.
Introducing Our Team:
Co-Chairs
Ann Barnes: As Blog administrator, Ann compiles and schedules Learn with Us posts, populates the Google Calendar of public events, and maintains other semi-static pages. She also troubleshoots technical issues. Ann studied plant pathology at NCSU and wants to identify every disease and insect in her garden. She also enjoys disproving gardening myths that she reads on social media. She works part-time as a school garden coordinator and has been an EMGV since 2011.
Andrea Laine: As Blog coordinator, Andrea edits and schedules articles; recruits and orients new writers; and strives to grow the list of subscribers/followers. She also writes articles. Ornamental gardening has been a hobby and interest of Andrea’s for some 30 years. She cringes when people refer to toiling in soil as “yard work.” To her, all gardening is an honorable endeavor. Even weeding! She moved to Durham from the Northeast in 2012 and is happy to have a woodland garden with a fence that keeps deer at bay. She has been an EMGV since 2015.
Regular Contributors
Wendy Diaz: Wendy is a Canadian transplant and for the past 20 years has enjoyed gardening in all our four seasons. She is a life-long gardener and also enjoys, biking, reading, and traveling. Wendy holds a B.Sc. in Geological Sciences from Queen’s University in Kingston and a Masters of Science in Hydrogeology from Memorial University of Newfoundland. She has retired from here career in Environmental consulting. Wendy enjoys volunteering in our community and has been an Extension Master Gardener Volunteer since 2015. In addition to writing for the blog, she co-chairs the Durham Finest Trees committee.
Kathryn Hamilton: Until she finished her Master Gardener training in 2015, Kathryn has been an “accidental gardener.” Now, understanding the importance of key issues such as “the right plant in the right place,” she is looking forward to being a much more productive member of the Triangle gardening community. Professionally, she is a writer and a marketing consultant.
Marty Fisher:
Gary Crispell:
Carl Boxenberger:
How do I get a question answered about my zucchini and summer squash plants?
Amy, send your zucchini question to mastergardener@dconc.gov and include photos if possible. You may also stop by the master gardener office at 721 Foster Street, Durham, weekdays from 9 to 4. Again, bring photos or actual examples of what you are seeing on your plants.
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I am exploring the idea of creating a community garden in Old West Durham (I’m at 1020 Hale St.) The goals are 1) provide people with a space for gardening 2) build community 3) education (I’ve been an active volunteer at SEEDS (seedsnc.org) and have decent gardening and carpentry skills.
The broad outline is to build a raised bed about 10X50 and offer people the chance to have a 10×10 plot for an annual fee.
The money would go towards the building materials, fencing, compost and water.
Would you be able to help me calculate the expense involved, and provide tips on how to organize the project?
You can reach me at 413 588 4472 or ndweinreb@gmail.com
Regards,
Daniel Weinreb
Hale St, Durham
Good morning, Daniel. I would suggest contacting the Extension office on Foster Street for answers to your question. You can either contact the Master Gardener phone line at 919-560-0528 or visit in person. Our Extension agent has worked with the Briggs Avenue Community Garden extensively. Either she or one of the volunteers in the office should be able to point you to the resources you need. I will also forward your question to the office.
Good luck!
Ann