gardening classes – Extension Master Gardener Volunteers of Durham County

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(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 Gardener^SMprogram. Durham County Extension 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, October 4, 11:30 am – 4:00 pm Southside Church of Christ – Bless the Block event, 800 Elmira Ave, Durham

Saturday, October 18, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm Durham Farmer’s Market at Central Park, Durham

Saturday, October 18, 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm North Durham Farmer’s Market, 1016 Old Oxford Rd. Durham

Saturday, October 25, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm South Durham Farmer’s Market, 500 Park Offices Dr. (parking lot), Durham

Learn with our Community Friends

JC Raulston Arboretum

A rain garden featuring lush green plants and blooming flowers, situated next to a stone border with visible water accumulation.

(Image credit: Melinda Heigel)

“How to Plant a Rain Garden” virtual online program. Wednesday, October 15, 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Join the arboretum’s director of horticulture Greg Paige and research technician Evan Villani as they explore the arboretum’s rain gardens and show you how to plan and plant your own. Free, pre-registration required. To register: https://jcra.ncsu.edu/midweek/

“The South American Garden” virtual online program. Wednesday, October 22, 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Evan Villani gives a talk on the beauty and diversity of the plants of South America. He’ll also give a virtual tour of their South American Garden and introduce you to plants from Uruguay they are trialing in the garden design. Free, pre-registration required. To register: https://jcra.ncsu.edu/midweek/

“Come & Grow: Frightful Flora” in person program. Saturday, October 25, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Learn how “spooky” plants use unusual shapes, scents, and strategies to survive through self-guided activities. Free, no registration required. Family-friendly. (In case of rain, program will be cancelled.)

Sarah P. Duke Gardens

Close-up of native grasses in a garden setting, showcasing a variety of tall and medium-height grass varieties with brown and green hues.

Close-up of tall, wispy grass blades with golden-brown tips against a blurred green background.

(Image credit: Jim Robbins CC BY-NC-ND 4.0, Joshua Mayer CC BY-SA 2.0 DE)

“Native Grasses: The New Workhorses of the Garden” virtual online program. Tuesday, October 7, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

Looking for strategies to garden smarter and boost your landscape’s ecological impact? Join Shannon Currey, education and outreach at Izel Native Plants, to learn how native grasses can help reduce resource use, add biodiversity and increase resilience. Free, pre-registration required. To register: https://rsvp.duke.edu/event/1db2147c-d1e8-4d23-9c6c-74bb2806ab0e/summary

Harvest Festival in person drop in festival. Sunday, October 19, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Celebrate the bounty of autumn with an outdoor festival of activities, music, demonstrations and more, led by Duke Gardens and other local groups in the Charlotte Brody Discovery Garden. You’ll find activities for adults and children together; all ages. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Free, no registration required. For more information: https://gardens.duke.edu/event/harvest-festival-2/

Edited by Melinda Heigel, NC State Extension Master Gardener^SM volunteer of Durham County

Article Short Link: https://wp.me/p2nIr1-6wd

Learn With Us

Grafting Workshop and Scion Exchange

Registration is now open for the Grafting Workshop and Scion Exchange which will be offered on February 1, 2025. More detailed information on the history, methods and purposes of grafting and using scions will be posted on the Blog on January 8, 2025. However, registration is now open and you can sign up at: https://trianglefruitandnutgrowers.weebly.com/scion-exchange.html

Durham Co-Op Market Annual Seed Swap

This free program will be held on Jan 11, 2025 from noon – 2 p.m. Participants should bring seeds to swap with other gardeners. The Durham Master Gardeners will be available to answer questions and provide information on plants and seeds. You can learn more about the Durham Co-op market at: https://www.durham.coop/

Durham Garden Forum

The Durham Garden Forum provides excellent programs on-line and is sponsored by NC Cooperative Extension, Durham County, and Duke Gardens. The 2025 schedule and contact information is listed below.

NC Botanical Gardens

A Hybrid Lunchbox Talk called The Home Patch will feature birds that are frequently seen in spring migration. The primary birds discussed will be warblers, both resident and migrants. The event occurs on January 23, 2025 from 12-1 pm. The program is free but registration is required. https://reg.learningstream.com/reg/event_page.aspx?ek=0005-0014-1640db6ec3174434af745a03816bb6cb

Raulston Arboretum

Feel like a scavenger hunt with your friends or children? There are two Yetis in the garden that will be moving around. The Yetis will move from their first spot to new locations on Fridays, January 17 and 24. Make sure to come out and find all of the hiding spots before the Yetis leave on Sunday, February 2!

Image credit: Raulston Arboretum

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Extension Master Gardener Volunteers of Durham County

Tag: gardening classes

Upcoming Gardening Events: October 2025