Extension Master GardenerSM Volunteers of Buncombe County

Helping Gardeners Put Knowledge to Work

We are community volunteers. Our mission is to support, teach and encourage a diverse community of gardeners using current research-based horticulture practices. We invite you to explore our website and over 390 blog posts about gardening in Western North Carolina. Learn more

Looking for Gardening Education?  See our list of Videos

Spotted Lantern Fly Confirmed in NC! This piercing-sucking insect produces copious amounts of honeydew causing black sooty mold to grow on infested plants as well as homes and other structures. They are considered a nuisance pest of over 70 species of plants, and can severely damage several crops, including grapes. Report it if you see it! Click here to report. For more information about this destructive pest, click here.

Saturday Seminar: Pruning Tools Workshop—Tool Selection and Sharpening, February 18

Saturday Seminar at The Learning Garden presents:
Pruning Tools Workshop: Tool Selection and Sharpening

Saturday, February 18, 2023
10:00 am- 11:30 am

NC Cooperative Extension
Buncombe County Center
49 Mount Carmel Road
Asheville, NC

Presenters: Alan Wagner and James Wade, Extension Master GardenerSM Volunteers

Gardening tools are key to successful pruning. You need the right tool for the right job, and you need to correctly maintain those tools. Are you sure, for example, when to use your anvil pruners or your bypass pruners instead? This workshop will cover the different kinds of pruning tools, their uses, and their care as well as gardening tools like shovels and hoes. Ergonomic pruners and other tools will also be covered.

Bring your pruners, loppers and shovels to learn how to clean and sharpen them.

Registration: The talk is free but registration is required. Please click on the link below to register. If you encounter problems registering or if you have questions, call 828-255-5522.

 

Online Seminar: Fruit Trees for Home Gardens February 16

Pawpaw Tree with Fruit


Gardening in the Mountains presents:
Fruit Trees for Home Gardens

Thursday, February 16, 2023
10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Virtual attendance via Zoom video and audio internet connection

Presenter: Craig Mauney – NC Cooperative Extension Agent

Fruit trees are a home garden favorite, and it’s challenging to grow good fruit in our WNC environment. It helps to carefully select smaller, more disease-resistant varieties and consider more unusual fruit like Asian pears, sour cherries, mulberries, and pawpaws.

Our presenter, Craig Mauney, is an Extension Area Specialized Agent for commercial vegetable and fruit production in our western counties. He has years of experience growing small fruits in his own home landscape, and you’re sure to learn something new to help you grow those little gems of flavor.

Registration: The talk is free but registration is required. Please click on the link below to register. If you encounter problems registering or if you have questions, call 828-255-5522.

Zoom seminar access: After registration, you will receive an email with instructions and a link to join this online live broadcast via Zoom. The ability to access Zoom through a computer, tablet or smartphone with a reliable internet connection is necessary to attend.

Dramatic Winter Damage? What Should I Do?

The extremely cold/windy weather we experienced around Christmas has left many plants damaged. A walk around your yard probably shows a wide-range of distress from the dramatic temperature drop. The foliage may appear dead on some plants, while others seem unharmed!

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The following video segment is by Nashville Public Television Volunteer Gardener.  Nashville, TN is at the same USDA Plant Hardiness Zone as much of Western North Carolina.  This video takes a detailed look at a variety of plants that may have been damaged; what to watch for, what to do, and when to do it. Please be patient. Plants are resilient, and although we will see some losses, these are also opportunities to learn and grow as gardeners.

 

 

We would like to know more about your experience with the Christmas freeze of 2022.  We invite you to email us a short note explaining the damage to your landscape, along with a photo to   buncombemg@gmail.com. Be sure to include your general location and elevation, if you know it.

Contact Us

Buncombe County Extension Office
49 Mount Carmel Road
Asheville, NC 28806
Helpline 828-255-5522

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