Upcoming Gardening Events: September 2026

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. Volunteers are available to provide answers using research-based information about plants and plant problems.

You can reach the Extension Master Gardener volunteers in Durham County by calling (919) 560-0528. You can also reach them by emailing mastergardener@dconc.gov or by visiting the Durham County Cooperative Extension at 721 Foster Street, Durham, NC. The helpline and office are open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Two women standing behind a table under a canopy with a sign that reads 'Ask a Master Gardener.' The table is decorated with flowers and gardening materials.

Look for the “Ask A Master Gardener” banner at our Public Events. (Image credit: Allie Mullin)

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

  • Saturday, September 12, 10am – 2pm Briggs Garden Fall Plant Sale & Festival, 1314 S. Briggs Ave, Durham, NC 27707
  • Saturday, September 19, 8am – 12pm Durham Farmers Market, 501 Foster Street, Durham, NC 27701
  • Saturday, September 19, 10am – 7pm The Great Southeast Pollinator Census at the Museum of Natural Science’s BugFest, 11 W Jones St, Raleigh, NC 27601
  • Friday, September 25, 3pm – 6pm Duke Gardens Members Plant Sale, Sarah P Duke Gardens, 420 Anderson St, Durham NC
  • Saturday, September 26, 9am – 12pm South Durham Farmers’ Market, 500 Park Offices Drive, Durham, NC 27709
  • Saturday, September 26, 10am – 2pm Southside Church of Christ Community Health and Wellness Fair, 800 Elmira Ave, Durham, NC 27707

There will be a new training class beginning January 2027. Applications and Information sessions are now open. Learn more and register here. The following EMG information classes with be offered in September:

Tuesday, September 1st6 – 7pmOnline
Wednesday, September 16th10 – 11amIn Person
Thursday, September 24th6 – 7pmOnline
Saturday, September 26th10 – 11amIn Person

Extension Master Food volunteers share their talents, skills, and commitment to service with Durham County residents. With a focus on healthy and tasty foods, EMFVs support and augment the nutrition and cooking programs at the Durham Cooperative Extension. They also learn to lead their own cooking demonstrations in the community. Learn more and register here.

There will be a virtual EMFV information session held Wednesday, September 23, 6pm – 7pm.

Five individuals standing together in a garden, surrounded by various potted plants and seedlings, smiling for the camera.

An abundance of brassicas and herbs for sale at the Briggs Ave Plant Sale. (Image credit: Allie Mullin)

Tuesday, September 15, 7pm – 8:30pm Virtual. “Most Delicious Poisons” with Dr. Noah Whiteman. Read here for more information on registering and attending. $10 session fee for non-members or $25 for annual membership.

Sarah P. Duke Gardens

There are several programs offered in September including Plant Meditation and Sculpture, Plant Propagation, and Botanical Embroidery.

JC Raulston Arboretum

The Arboretum offers a series of online programs every Wednesday at 3 pm. All Midweek Programs are free and require pre-registration.

  • September 2: “More Plants You’ll Fall For” Mark Weathington and Dennis Carey
  • September 9: “PLT Premiere: Top Ten Plants for the Next 50 Years” Mark Weathington and Eileen Gahan
  • September 16: “Golden Plants” Mark Weathington and Greg Paige
  • September 23: “Not Another Yellow Composite” Evan Villani
  • September 30: “Horticulture Hour: Live Q&A with the JCRA Team” Horticulture Staff

Durham County Library

  • Tuesday, September 8, 3:30pm – 4:30pm Garden Club for Kids (Ages 7-12) at Children’s Programming Room, Southwest Regional Library, 3605 Shannon Rd, Durham, NC 27707. Registration required.

Article shortlink: https://wp.me/p2nIr1-7Vs

Edited by Astrid Cook-Dail, NC State Extension Master GardenerSM volunteer of Durham County

Upcoming Gardening Events: April, 2026

The Durham County Master Gardener Plant Sale is on April 11, 2026 and the following week on April 18th the Briggs Avenue Community Garden will hold its plant festival and sale. These are two opportunities to get high quality plants for your garden and grow food for your table!

Announcement for NC State Extension Master Gardener plant sale on April 11, 2026, from 10 AM to 12 Noon at 721 Foster Street, Durham. Features a colorful illustration of community members gardening and interacting with plants.
Promotional flyer for the 2026 Spring Plant Sale and Festival at Briggs Ave Community Garden, scheduled for April 18, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, featuring a plant sale, free seeds and compost, activities, raffle, and opportunities to ask a master gardener. Includes contact information and location.

Master Gardeners will also be available at several other events in April to answer your gardening questions:

A colorful illustration featuring various flowers and a butterfly, with the text 'Ask An Extension Master Gardener Volunteer' in the center, along with logos for NC State Extension and Cooperative Extension.

April 12: Durham Food Co-op, 1111 Chapel Hill Drive, noon-3 pm.

April 18: Durham Farmers Market, 501 Foster Street, 8am-noon.

April 22: Earth Day-Lenovo, 8001 Development Drive, Morrisville, NC, 11:30-1:30.

April 23: Club Blvd Elementary School PTA Plant Sale, 8:00=11:00

April 25: South Durham Farmers Market, 500 Park Offices, 8 am-noon.

April 26: Immaculate Conception Catholic Church Earth Day, 8:45 am-6:20 pm

On April 25, 2026, the Durham Public School Hub Farm will hold their Spring Soils Festival from 10 am to 1pm. The event features family-friendly, hands-on activities, music, plant giveaway, delicious food, fishing, arts & crafts, and more.

The Durham Garden Forum will offer an online program on April 21st at 7pm. The topic is Fireflies. It will be presented by Dr. Clyde Sorenson, NCSU Alumni Association Distinguished Undergraduate Professor of entomology. For more information contact: durhamgardenforum@gmail.com

Shortlink: https://wp.me/p2nIr1-7hH