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: August, 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. The helpline and office are open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. You can also reach them by emailing mastergardener@dconc.gov or by visiting the Durham County Cooperative Extension at 721 Foster Street, Durham, NC.

An EMG will also be at the following events in August:

August 1, 1-3pm. SW Regional Library Plant Swap  3605 Shannon Rd., Durham, NC 27707.

Aug 15th, 8 a.m. – noon Durham Farmer’s Market 501 Foster Street, Durham, NC 27701.

August 22, 9 am-12pm-The Great Southeast Pollinator Census.

There will be a new training class beginning January 2027. Applications and Information sessions are now open. Learn more and register: https://durham.ces.ncsu.edu/news/learn-more-about-becoming-an-extension-master-gardener-volunteer/. The following EMG information classes with be offered in August:

Monday, August 24th2 – 3pmIn Person
Friday, August 28th2 – 3pmIn Person

Interested in learning more about our sister program, the NC State Extension Master Food volunteers of Durham County?

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. There will be a training session for a new cohort of EMFVs coming in winter 2026. Interested in learning more? Sign up for an August or September information session here: https://durham.ces.ncsu.edu/…/durham-county-extension…/ or contact Leslie McClellan at lmcclellan@dconc.gov or 919-630-8299.

Durham Garden Forum

Aug 11th 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. (on-line)-How to Love a Forest by Ethan Tapper, forester and bestselling author. For more information: https://durhammastergardeners.com/durham-garden-forum/

Sarah P. Dukes Gardens

There are several programs offered in August including seed starting, Chinese tea tasting, and botanical bitters.

JC Raulston Arboretum

The Arboretum offers a series of online programs every Wednesday at 3 pm.

August 5: “Top 5 – Most Influential Gardens” (Mark Weathington and Bryce Lane)

August 12: PLT Premiere: “Trees That Make Great Shade” (Greg Paige)

August 19: “Fast Fillers for Shade” (Tim Alderton and Greg Paige)

August 26: “Ginkgos!” (Evan Villani)

Durham Community Library

The Durham County Library Club is hosting a program on “Getting To Know Your Trees”. on Saturday, August 15, 10:00am – 11:30am at the Main Library Auditorium 300 N. Roxboro St)

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

Edited by: Martha Keehner Engelke