October Calendar of Triangle Gardening Programs

Monticello gardens. Photo by the Thomas Jefferson Foundation.

NC Botanical Gardens
http://ncbg.unc.edu/classes-workshops/#hh_gardening
Location: 100 Old Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, NC.

 Early Autumn at Mason Farm Oct. 6, 1- 3:30 p.m. Spring isn’t the only time of year that Mason Farm Biological Reserve is worth a scenic stroll! Join naturalist Ed Harrison for an in-depth tour of the “old farm trail” that travels through some 260 years of cultural and natural history. Ed will point out early fall wildflowers and others as well as discuss the many positive effects of the Garden’s intense management for both field and forest on the Reserve. Meet at the ncbg Visitor Parking Lot gazebo. Fee: $10 ($5 ncbg members).   Oconee Bells: Emblem of Resiliency in the Southern Blue Ridge Escarpment Oct. 8, 7 - 9 p.m. Join Patrick McMillan and the Friends of Plant Conservation for a special evening celebrating OCONEE BELLS Emblem of Resiliency In the Southern Blue Ridge Escarpment Meet the speakers and join us for refreshments following the program. The Friends of Plant Conservation, NC Plant Conservation Program, and the NC Botanical Garden invite you to an evening with Patrick McMillan and Rob Evans exploring the North Carolina native plant with a 100 year history of mystery and intrigue—Shortia galacifolia var. brevistyla. Patrick will lead us through the unique characteristics of the Southern Blue Ridge Escarpment and the role that it appears to have played in serving as a crucible of life through change and how important it may be in the face of changes we see today.   14th Annual Jenny Elder Fitch Memorial Lecture 'Thomas Jefferson, Gardener' Oct. 20, 2:30 p.m. Join us for this special free program on a fall Sunday! Peter Hatch will discuss the various themes that defined Thomas Jefferson’s interest in gardening and the natural world, the restoration of the gardens and landscape at Monticello over the last 50 years, and how the fruits, flowers, and vegetables Jefferson cultivated have evolved over the last two centuries. Hatch is the author of “A Rich Spot of Earth”–Thomas Jefferson’s Revolutionary Garden at Monticello. This lecture is free but advance registration is required.   Peak of Autumn at Penny’s Bend Oct. 26, 1 – 4 p.m. Take a walk through the colorful fall landscape of this remnant 84-acre diabase glade and Piedmont prairie in northwest Durham, surrounded on three sides by the Eno River. Penny’s Bend Nature Preserve, managed by NCBG, encompasses mature forests as well as remnant prairies with numerous regionally rare plants. Late-October/early November is generally the peak of fall color season in the Piedmont. Fee: $10 ($5 ncbg members). Meeting place will be sent to you after registration. Please Note: This hike is about 2 miles in length, and much of it is on uneven terrain. Wear sturdy hiking footwear and carry a walking stick if you use one, as well as water.

JC Raulston Arboretum
http://www.ncsu.edu/jcraulstonarboretum/calendar/events.php?year=2013
Location: Ruby C. McSwain Education Center, JC Raulston Arboretum at NC State University, 4415 Beryl Road, Raleigh, NC

Friends of the Arboretum Lecture: "Great Gardens and Nature Sites in Vancouver and Victoria, British Columbia"
Oct. 3, 7:30-9 p.m.
Tim Alderton, Research Technician, and Christopher Todd Glenn, Programs and Education Coordinator

Plantsmen's Tour: "Fall Perennials"

October 8, 1-2:30 p.m.
Tim Alderton, Research Technician

North American Rock Garden Society (Piedmont Chapter) Lecture/Friends of the Arboretum Lecture: “Spring Wildflowers of the Blue Ridge"
October 19, 10:00 AM-11:30 AM
Tim Alderton, JC Raulston Arboretum

Sarah P. Duke Gardens
420 Anderson St Durham, NC 27708
http://gardens.duke.edu/events.  Please call 919-668-1707 to register.

Plants of Distinction: Fall Planting in the Vegetable Garden

Oct. 8, 2:30- 4 p.m.
Learn about spectacular plants that offer both beauty and functionality with Jason Holmes, curator, and Lindsey Fleetwood, horticulturist, Doris Duke Center Gardens, Duke Gardens. Please note this is one of four programs in the series. Sign up separately for each session to learn a new group of beautiful and useful plants, or take all four sessions. $7; $5 Gardens members & Duke students/staff. Discount available to register for all four sessions. Information: 919-668-1707. Location: meet at the Doris Duke Center. Participant limit: 15. Horticulture Certificate elective course (1.5 hours each).

Fall Festival in the Charlotte Brody Discovery Garden

Oct.13, 12-3 p.m.
Autumn fest in the Discovery Garden with activities for the entire family. Drop-in activities, information stations, displays and resources will include a salsa tasting contest, sack races at 1 and 2 p.m., SEEDS with seed bombs and the pollinator game, a plant a seed activity, taste a rainbow, storytime in the garden, Master Gardeners with plant information and advice, the Beekeeping Club of Durham and more. Free admission. No registration required. Parking fees apply. Information: 919-668-1707.

Traditional Japanese Tea Gatherings: Moon-Viewing Tea

Oct.18, 6:45-8:15 p.m.
Enjoy a moment of respite in the Duke Gardens teahouse, where, as a guest to Tea, you will experience the warmth of a traditional Japanese tea gathering. Enjoy the aesthetics, poetry, and serenity of this rich tradition over an enticing bowl of whisked green tea and a Japanese confection. Guests will meet at the Doris Duke Center to be escorted to the teahouse for these intimate gatherings. Information/registration: 919-668-1707. Participant limit: 10. Location: Meet at the Doris Duke Center. $40; $30 Gardens members and Duke students/staff.

Dried arrangements are made for autumn tables!

Seasonal Floral Design at the Gardens: Halloween Parallel or Round Design

Oct.19, 10-12:30 p.m.
Each participant will work with Theo Roddy, floral designer, and create an individual flower arrangement in each class; no cookie-cutter designs here! You will sharpen your design skills, learn of resources to purchase flowers, use flowers from your own garden and create a seasonal floral design. Students supply flowers (fresh or silk), a container, and tools. A supply list and more information will be provided prior to each class. All other materials will be supplied in class. This is the second of four sessions, register for one or for all. $50; $40 Gardens members & Duke students/staff. Discount available if registering for all four classes. Information/registration: 919-668-1707. Location: Sarah P. Duke Gardens greenhouse classroom. Participant limit: 20 (minimum 6).

Durham Garden Forum

Meetings are held at Sarah P. Duke Gardens on Tuesday Evenings from 6:30-8:00p.m..
Membership is $25 for the year (which runs April – March) or each lecture is $10. No preregistration is required. Contact information is durham.gardenforum@gmail.com

New and Unusual Plants

Tue, October 15, 2013, 6:30-8 p.m.
Join Tony Avent, of Plant Delights Nursery and Juniper Level Botanic Gardens, to learn about some fantastic new plants.

NC Extension Gardener Seminars:

Complete program information at www.durham.ces.ncsu.edu. Registration required. Programs are free.

The Buzz About Bees

Oct. 13, 3-4 p.m.
South Regional Library, 919.560.7409

Gardening with Native Plants

Oct. 20, 3-4 p.m.

North Regional Library, 919.560.0231