February Calendar of Triangle Gardening Programs

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

		Going With the Flow: How Leaves and Flowers Avoid Damage In Storms Feb. 6, Noon-1 p.m. Creating Curb Appeal, Feb. 16. at Duke Gardens. Leaves and flowers look fragile - and they are. But their clever designs enable them to withstand remarkably strong forces, even ones that sometimes uproot trees. We're gradually figuring out evolution's underlying mechanical tricks, in particular, the virtues of being strong without being stiff. Free event, but please register ahead of time. Darwin Day Presentation: Plants and How They Know Their Neighbors Feb. 12, 7:30-9 p.m. Celebrate the birthday of Charles Darwin with a presentation by Dr. Gabriela (Gaby) Auge on “Plants and How They Know Their Neighbors.” Dr. Auge is a postdoctoral research associate at Duke University and studies the physiological responses of plants to their environment. She will speak on Darwin’s studies on plant sensory mechanism, their evolution, and how he is today considered the father of plant physiology. This event is free and includes a reception, but advance registration is requested.   Fire in the Bay - Restoring Native Plant Communities at Pondberry Bay Feb. 20, Noon-1 p.m. Native Plant Studies Program graduate, Dale Batchelor, shares her experiences as a Volunteer Site Steward for Pondberry Bay, a Plant Conservation Preserve in Sampson County. Pondberry Bay is one of 23 preserves established by N. C.'s Plant Conservation Program to protect more than 50 of our state's rarest plants in their natural habitats. The Pondberry Preserve features several natural communities including Cypress Savannah, Streamhead Pocosin, and Longleaf Flatwoods. Imperiled plants include the preserve’s eponym, Pondberry (Lindera melissifolia), and Sandhills milk-vetch (Astragalus michauxii). Dale will discuss how learning from field ecologists and plant conservation experts has informed her work as a landscape designer and gardener. Free event, but please register ahead of time.

Withstanding Storms, Feb. 6, NC Botanical Gardens.

JC Raulston Arboretum http://www.ncsu.edu/jcraulstonarboretum/calendar/events.php?year=2014

Location: Ruby C. Mc Swain Education Center, JC Raulston Arboretum at NC State University, 4415 Beryl Road, Raleigh, NC.

Plantsmen's Tour: "Baby, It's Cold Outside—Tour of JCRA's Greenhouse Space"
Feb. 4, 1–2:30 p.m., and 3–4:30 p.m.
Mark Weathington, Assistant Director and Curator of Collections
Let's come in out of the cold and tour several of the Arboretum's greenhouse facilities to see where all the magic happens. We'll talk about our seed and cutting propagation techniques and what it takes to be successful growing under glass (and plastic). 

Friends of the Arboretum Lecture:  "Plants with Benefits"
Feb. 6, 7:30–9 p.m.
Helen Yoest, Gardening With Confidence.
Are some plants aphrodisiacs, or is that just a myth? Garden expert and plant detective Helen Yoest takes us on a romp through history, lore, and ethnobotany to find out how 50 of these plants got their "hot" reputation—and what modern science has to say about it. Discover which common garden plants and favorite edibles have that "something extra," and why. Plants With Benefits is filled with lush photography, growing tips, and recipes for preparing teas, potions and tasty treats for your pleasurable use. Can a plant create feelings of arousal, contentment or receptivity? It looks like the answer is yes. This is the first book about selecting garden plants for their sex appeal.


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

Mushroom Logs

Feb.1, 10:00 a.m.
Enjoy fresh shitake mushrooms grown in your own garden! Each participant will be supplied with a 12" section of log, pre-drilled and ready to "plant" with mushrooms. Andy Currin, Duke University's campus horticulturist, will take you through the process of seeding the log, sealing it with wax, and then maintaining it for the six months it will take to grow your first crop of mushrooms. Each log should produce mushrooms for several years. Participant limit: 15. $35; $30 Gardens members and Duke students/staff. Location: Doris Duke Center. Information/registration: 919-668-1707.

Natural History Discussion Group

Feb. 10, 6:30 p.m.

Using a shared book or issue of interest, the group will enjoy friendly conversation and debate about natural history topics. Bring a dinner and your opinions; discussion will follow! Location: Doris Duke Center. Free. Registration required. Information: 919-668-1707.

Basic Botany and Plant Growth

Feb.11, 6:00 p.m.
How does a plant grow? How does it manage water and nutrients? What factors influence the production of flowers and fruits? This four-week course, instructed by Duke biology associate professor Alex Motten, will explore these questions and more using a combination of lecture and hands-on approaches. Previous participants have commented that Alec's enthusiasm and skillful instruction make the topic come alive. Class meets from Feb. 11 through March 4. Participant limit: 15. $130; $110 Gardens members and Duke students/staff. Location: Doris Duke Center. Home Horticulture Certificate required course. Information/registration: 919-668-1707.

Vegetation: The Ecology of Change

Feb.19, 6:30 p.m.
The plants of our region are faithful indicators of their environment. As a group they tell the story of geological change, soil development, water availability, climate shifts and human activity. Instructor and ecologist Milo Pyne will explore the variation among plants across the Triangle to help you learn what the distribution patterns tell us about our environment. Class meets on three Wednesdays, Feb. 19 through March 5, with two Saturday field trips, March 1 and 8, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Textbook supplied either in print or digital form; please let us know your preference. Location: Doris Duke Center. Participant limit: 15. $190; $155 Gardens members & Duke students/staff. Home Horticulture Certificate elective course. Information/registration: 919-668-1707.

Plants of Distinction: Hellebores in the Winter Garden

Feb. 25, 2:30 p.m.
Learn about spectacular plants that offer both beauty and functionality with curator Jason Holmes. Please note this is the last of four programs. Meet at the Doris Duke Center. Participant limit: 15. $7; $5 Gardens members & Duke students/staff. Horticulture Certificate elective course. Information/registration: 919-668-1707.

Durham Garden Forum

Meetings are held at Sarah P. Duke Gardens on Tuesday Evenings from 6:30-8 p.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.

Starting Seeds

Feb. 18, 6:30-8 p.m.
Learn more about starting seeds, getting more for less, and expanding your plant variety opportunities through seed selection – what you need to succeed. Registration required.

Durham Co. Master Gardeners; Durham Cooperative Extension Programs

Tree Keepers Workshop - Urban Tree Volunteer Training

Cool Vegetables, Feb. 15, Cooperative Extension.

Feb. 7 and 8, 8:30-4 p.m.
Interested in becoming more involved in the community and passionate about trees?  This is an intensive training on tree management and care that will develop volunteers interested in helping with the Trees Across Durham Initiative. $25.00 fee (check made out to: Durham Cooperative Extension) Registration required.
Locations:
Feb 7: Durham Cooperative Extension, 721 Foster Street, Durham (Day 1)
Feb 8: City of Durham General Maintenance Building, 2011 Fay Street, Durham (Day 2)
Contact:  Pana Jones,919-560-0525 or prjones2@ncsu.edu 

Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) Safety Training for Farmers

Feb. 5 and 19, 8:30-4 p.m.
This training is for local farms interested in developing a GAP Safety Plan for their farm and beginning the steps towards becoming a GAP Certified Farm.  For farmers only/Durham farmers preference.  Registration required.
Durham Cooperative Extension, 721 Foster Street, Durham (Farm visit involved call for details)
Contact: Pana Jones, 919-560-0525 or prjones2@ncsu.edu

Briggs Ave Community Garden Series- Cool Vegetable Gardening

Feb. 15, 10-11 a.m.

Learn about Vegetable Gardening, crop rotation, planning, season extension techniques.  Winter season strategies for growing vegetables.  Class is free/ Registration is required

Location:  Durham Cooperative Extension, 721 Foster Street, Durham

Contact: Pana Jones, 919-560-0525 or prjones2@ncsu.edu

Extension Gardener Series at Sarah P. Duke Gardens – Creating Curb Appeal

Feb. 16, 2-4 p.m.

Learn how you can improve the look of your home and property by improving the landscape. Create appeal for your home using a few basic designs.  Class is free/ Registration required.

Location: Sarah P. Duke Gardens

Contact: 919-688-1707

Pesticide Class – Fire Ants

Feb. 27, 1-3 p.m.
Pesticide recertification for license pesticide applicators.  2 credit hours. For: G, H, L, N, O, D, X  applicators. Class is free/ Registration required.
Location:  Durham Cooperative Extension, 721 Foster Street, Durham
Contact:  Pana Jones, 919-560-0525 or prjones2@ncsu.edu