Upcoming Gardening Events: May 2026

Ask a Master Gardener Program is an opportunity for members of the community to ask questions about gardening and learn more about the NC State Extension Master GardenerSM program. Durham County Master GardenerSM volunteers are available to provide answers using research-based information about plants and plant problems.

(Image credit: Allie Mullin)

You’ll find Extension Master Gardener volunteers at the following community events ready for your questions: 

Saturday, May 2

  • 10:00 am – 3:00 pm NC Museum of Life & Science in conjunction with their event Bird Bonanza, 433 W. Murray Avenue, Durham.
  • 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm Durham County Library Plant Swap, Main Library branch, 300 N, Roxboro St, Durham.

Sunday, May 3, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm  Durham County Extension Master Gardener Demonstration Garden, in conjunction with Keep Durham Beautiful’s 3rd annual Durham Garden Tour, Durham Co. Extension Office, 721 Foster St, Durham.

Saturday, May 16, 8:00 am – 12:00 pm Durham Farmer’s Market at Central Park, 501 Foster Street, Durham.

Saturday, May 23, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm South Durham Farmer’s Market, 500 Park Offices Dr. (parking lot), Durham.

Saturday, May 30, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm 

  • 9:00 am – 12:00 pm South Durham Farmer’s Market, 500 Park Offices Dr. (parking lot), Durham
  • 10:00 am – 3:00 pm NC Museum of Life & Science in conjunction with their event Party for the Planet, 433 W. Murray Avenue, Durham.

Hattie Meadows Gardening School

In honor of a beloved Durham gardener Hattie Meadows, the community is invited to take part in the new Hattie Meadows Gardening School. This free community learning series is a partnership between Durham Cooperative Extension, Durham County Library, and Sarah P. Duke Gardens. Monthly classes will feature local teachers and gardening experts sharing practical knowledge on a wide range of gardening topics. It is perfect for beginners and experienced gardeners alike. Free, but space is limited and registration is required.

(Left to right)True indigo plant (Indigofera tinctoria) used to make blue dye naturally. Scenes from the Durham County Extension’s Demonstration Garden. (Image credit: Himanshu Sarpotdar CC BY-NC-ND 2.0; Allie Mullin)

This program is entitled “Languages of the Land: Getting to Know Native Fiber and Dye Plants” and presented by Adé Oni, founder of dìèdìè textile micromill and studio.The earth gives us everything we need to survive and adorn our lives. Let’s get to know the material culture and ancient relationships between food, fibers, and dyes. This is an interactive session for people who love and want to learn about land-based creativity rooted in Black and Indigenous ecologies. Make sure to bring a textile item that you love.

History is filled with countless stories that help us understand how gardening got to be what it is today. Come hear about what special people, places and events contributed to this awesome craft of gardening.Presented by Bryce Lane, NC State Alumni Distinguished Undergraduate Professor Emeritus and former host and producer three-time, Emmy winning, UNC TV public television show “In the Garden With Bryce Lane.”

Durham Garden Forum

Close-up of a green leaf infested with clusters of small green aphids.

Aphids, a common garden pest, are often located on the undersides of leaves. (Image credit: NC Cooperative Extension)

Pests and Diseases, virtual talk with Dr. Matt Bertone, Director of the NC State Plant Disease and Insect Clinic (PDIC), and Mike Munster, PDIC plant disease and diagnostician for commercial ornamentals. Tuesday, May 19, 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm. (Fee for non-members. Durham Garden Forum membership information and program details.

Sara P. Duke Gardens

Bearing Witness with Nature-based Art: A Grief Journey with Gaza. Sunday, May 3, 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm. Pop-up exhibit and artist talk with The Witness about their evolving art practice that centers around themes of identity, belonging, grief and sorrow. The Witness will share how applying images to fresh leaves and paper has allowed them to process the immense reactions and sorrow that emerged from witnessing the suffering Gaza. They will share how their nature-based art has changed in response to the seasons and a need for stronger creative expression. This talk offers an intimate view into their art practice and the stories around it. Free program, registration required. Registration and additional information for Bearing Witness exhibit and artist talk.

JC Raulston Arboretum

All May Midweek Programs are free, virtual, and require pre-registration.

“Per-annuals,” with Tim Alderton. Wednesday, May 6, 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm. Per-annuals program details and registration.

“PLT Premiere: Mexican Plants,” with Dennis Carey, Curator. Wednesday, May 13, 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm. Mexican plants registration and information.

“Top 5 – Clumping Bamboos,” with Tony Avent and Evan Villani, JLBG Founder and JCRA Research Technician. Wednesday, May 20, 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm. Bamboo program details and registration.

“Cool European Plants,” with Tim Alderton. May 27, 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm. European plants program registration and information.

Durham County Public Library

Plant Swap, Saturday, May 2, 12:30 – 2:30 pm, Main Library branch, 300 N. Roxboro St., Durham. Spring Community Plant Swap includes cuttings, seeds, bulbs, saplings, and more.

Edited by Melinda Heigel, NC State Extension Master GardenerSM volunteer of Durham County

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Upcoming Gardening Events: September 2025

A group of Master Gardener volunteers engaged in conversation with community members in a horticultural setting, surrounded by various plants and gardening supplies.

(Image credit: Allie Mullin )

Ask A Master Gardener

The Ask a Master Gardener Program is an opportunity for members of the community to ask questions about gardening and learn more about the NC State Extension Master GardenerSM program. Durham County Master Gardener volunteers are available to provide answers using research-based information about plants and plant problems.

You’ll find Master Gardener volunteers at the following community events ready for your questions: 

Saturday, September 13, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm Briggs Ave. Garden Fall Festival & Plant Sale. Bring your questions to the, ” Ask A Master Gardener” table, 1314 S Briggs Ave., Durham

Saturday, September 20, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm Durham Farmer’s Market at Central Park, Durham

Saturday, September 20, 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm North Durham Farmer’s Market, 1016 Old Oxford Rd. Durham

Saturday, September 27, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm South Durham Farmer’s Market, 500 Park Offices Dr. (parking lot), Durham

A customer interacting with a vendor at a garden market stall, surrounded by various plants under a blue canopy.

(Image credit: Allie Mullin)

JC Raulston Arboretum

Online Fall Plant Sale Open to the Public

Opens Friday, September 5, 2025 at 12:00 pm. Closes Tuesday, September 9, 2025 at 12:00 pm.

Looking for something beyond the usual nursery fare? Every plant is handpicked by passionate JCRA teams—so you can shop with confidence and excitement. Click here for more info

Contemporary Hypertufa Birdbath Workshop

Saturday, September 13, 2025 – 9:00 am –11:00 am

Participants will make a contemporary style hypertufa birdbath approximately 14″ square with a shallow area perfect to hold enough water for all types of feathered friends to bathe in and drink from. All materials are supplied and you will take your birdbath home with you. Click here for more info and to register.

North American Rock Garden Society (Piedmont Chapter) Lecture

Saturday, September 20, 2025 – 10:00 am –11:30 am

“Bulbs from Big to Little: a Love of Amaryllids”, Tim Calkins Click here for more info

Fall Into Gardening

Friday, September 26, 2025 – 1:00 pm –3:30 pm

Sow Your Own Seed Tray to Take Home
Brie Arthur, Author, Horticulturist and Lifelong Home Gardener Click here for more info and to register

Sarah P. Duke Gardens

There are important changes for visitors this year due to construction of the Garden Gateway project. Parking is affected. Learn before you go.

Afterlives of the Plantation: Plotting Agrarian Futures in the Global Black South

September 6, 2025 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Talk with Jarvis McInnis, Cordelia and William Laverack Family Assistant Professor of English at Duke University. In collaboration with the Stanford L. Warren Branch Durham County Library. Click here for more info.

Cultivating Mindfulness Through Plant Relationships: Mandala Meditation
September 7, 2025, 2:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Focus on the shape, color, symmetry and texture of plants as you access a meditative state with your body. Click here for more info and to register.

Flower Portraits
September 13, 2025 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm

Practice drawing from life in Duke Gardens as you sit or stand at plant height to capture its essence on paper. Click here for more info and to register.

Creating a Biodiverse Haven (virtual)
September 18, 2025 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

Join Dr. Neeti Bathala, professor, author, gardener, graduate of the Nicholas School of the Environment and Duke Gardens board of advisors member, for an inspiring lecture on transforming your garden into a vibrant, life-sustaining habitat. Explore the ecological benefits of native plants, layered habitats and thoughtful design strategies that support biodiversity, even in small spaces. Click here for more info and to register

Watercolor en Plein Air
September 26, 2025 9:30 am – 1:00 pm
Spend the morning inspired by the Gardens and express your creativity through watercolor. In this en plein air class, watercolor artist Ryann Carey will begin by demonstrating her approach to this style of painting, focusing on composition, color and value. Click here for more info and to register.

Durham County Public Library

Digging Durham Seed Library
Did you know that you can check out seeds at the library? The Digging Durham Seed Library offers vegetable, herb, and flower seeds that you can take home and plant. Click here for more info:

The Secret Life of Lichens and Other Fungi!

Wednesday, September 10, 2025 6:00pm – 7:00pm

What are lichens and why should we care? Join Scott LaGreca, Vice President of the Triangle Mycological Society to learn all about lichens. Click here for more info.

Durham Grown: The Durham County Library Garden Club

Cool Flowers! Fall Planting for the Earliest Spring Bloomers!

Saturday, September 13, 2025 10:00am – 11:00am

Are you interested in learning to grow early spring flowers? Join Megan Leiss, Farmer and Owner of Spring Forth Farm, a no-till flower farm and homestead in Hurdle Mills, to learn about Cool Flowers! Cool Flowers are a unique subset of annual flowers called “hardy annuals.” Click her for more info and to register.

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