Bay Laurel 2009 Herb of the Year

Bay was first an herb of poets, but also of oracles, warriors, statesmen and doctors. The leaves were made into wreaths for illustrious poets (thus the term poet laureate) and the ancients used the leaves to crown heroes. Bay laurel was the symbol of wisdom, both acquired and intuitive. Laurus nobilis is believed to derive from the Celtic word laur, meaning green, and the Latin nobilis, signifying noble. Baccalaureate is from the Latin for laurel berries, which were given to Greek students of the classical period.

Read more: http://www.herbcompanion.com/cooking/2009-herb-of-the-year-bay-laurus-nobilis.aspx?page=2#ixzz1AkEjSvrR

FIRST MEETING OF THE YEAR

Tuesday Feb 1 Durham Council of Garden Clubs meets at the Hill House
Time 10:00 am but come a bit early and socialize over a cup of coffee.

NC Extension - Durham Co SEMINARS Spring 2011

EXTENSION GARDENER SEMINARS - Spring 2011

NC Cooperative Extension in partnership with Sarah P. Duke Gardens

Free classes; registration requested.

January 9, 2011, 2-4pm

Maintaining the Land: A Gardener's Guide to Landscape Maintenance and

Management - Learn to develop a year-round plan to manage your garden,

anticipate potential problems, and develop sound solutions in this presentation

about gardens and the environment.

Presented by Michelle Wallace, Consumer Horticulture Agent Durham County

• Free; please call (919 )668-1707 to register.

• Location: Sarah P. Duke Gardens,
426 Anderson Street, Durham

February 20, 2011, 2-4pm

Permaculture - Enjoy the bounty of the Earth and protect its future by using
permaculture strategies to balance gardening goals with environmental concerns.
Presented by Darcey Martin, Durham County Master Gardener Volunteer

Free; please call (919 )668-1707 to register.

• Location: Sarah P. Duke Gardens,
426 Anderson Street, Durham

March 20, 2011, 2-4pm

Cool Perennials for Cool Places - Let Kit and Rick introduce you to a range of

interesting and unique perennials to expand the palette of plants in your garden.

Their focus will match plant to site.

Presented by Kit Flynn and Rick Fisher, Durham County Master Gardener

Volunteers

• Free; please call (919 )668-1707 to register.

• Location: Sarah P. Duke Gardens,
426 Anderson Street, Durham

EXTENSION GARDENER SEMINARS - Winter & Spring 2011
NC Cooperative Extension in partnership with Southwest Regional Library

Free classes; registration requested.

Saturday, February 26 from 10:30-11:30 a.m. "Edible Flowers - Growing
Beautiful & Tasty Blooms." Plan to enjoy - visually and on your plate - some
edible blooms in your spring garden this year. Join Durham County Extension
Master Gardener Faye McNaull for this program on identifying, growing and
cooking with blooms.

Free; please call (919)560-8594 to register.
Location: Southwest Regional Library, 3605 Shannon Road, Durham 27707

Saturday, March 12, 2011 from 10:30-11:30 a.m. "Gardening with Children &
Grandchildren." The Durham Co. Extension Master Gardeners will highlight fun
and engaging gardening projects for parents/grandparents to introduce children
to adventures in growing and nurturing plants. The program will include ideas for
container projects with kids (planting salsa pots and spaghetti sauce gardens)
plus growing giant plants & attracting pollinators.

Free; please call (919)560-8594 to register.
Location: Southwest Regional Library, 3605 Shannon Road, Durham 27707

Saturday, March 26, 2011 from 10:30-11:30 a.m. "Backyard Chickens" Come
hear the story of one Durham Co. Extension Master Gardener's successful foray
into the world of raising chickens in her backyard. Learn to build a habitat
consistent with the city ordinance, develop a system that has minimum upkeep,
and benefit from an endless supply of fresh eggs.

Free; please call (919)560-8594 to register.
Location: Southwest Regional Library, 3605 Shannon Road, Durham 27707

Saturday, April 30, 2011 from 10:30-11:30 a.m. "An Introduction to
Beekeeping" Come learn about the basics of backyard beekeeping using top
frame hives from a Durham Co. Extension Master Gardener and Master
Beekeeper. You will learn about different types of bees, their preferred forage,
nesting and nectar sources, plus suggestions on follow-up courses to develop •
your own backyard hive.

Free; please call (919 560-8594 to register.
Location: Southwest Regional Library, 3605 Shannon Road, Durham 27707

Saturday, May 7, 2011 from 10:30-11:30 a.m. "Outsmarting the Critters:
Dealing with the Deer, Moles, Voles, Rabbits and Other Creatures Dining in
Your Yard." Come learn about the latest techniques and tips for out-smarting
the critters who dine on our Durham gardens from the Durham Co. Extension
Master Gardeners.

Free; please call (919) 560-8594 to register.
Location: Southwest Regional Library, 3605 Shannon Road, Durham 27707

EXTENSION GARDENER Outreach Plant Information Booths:

Durham Farmers Market

Located at Central Park on Foster Street.

The market is open every Saturday from April through November, 8 a.m. to noon.
Master Gardeners attend the third Saturday of the month.

Sarah P. Duke Gardens

Located at 426 Anderson Street, Durham

The Gardens are open everyday from morning till dusk. There is no admission fee, but
there is a nominal parking fee. Master Gardeners will be located by the historic garden
terraces to answer your garden questions on Wednesdays.