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 360 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.

The Garden Helpline is Open for the season.  How to submit gardening questions 

Dyeing with Madder, August 25

The Learning Garden presents:
Dyeing with Madder

Thursday, August 25, 2022
10 to 11:30 a.m.

NC Cooperative Extension
Buncombe County Center
49 Mount Carmel Road
Asheville, NC 28806madder-ver2-Joyce-Trumba

Presenters: Pat Strang and Joyce Tromba, Extension Master GardenerSM Volunteers

This is an in-person program, held at The Learning Garden. You will learn about the madder plant and how to grow it in your dye garden. You will learn how to harvest the madder root and make the dye.

This event is free, but a $5 donation is requested.

Registration: The talk is free but registration is required. To ensure a good learning experience, attendance will be limited. Please click on the link below to register. If you encounter problems registering or if you have questions, call 828-255-5522.

 

Wednesdays in the Learning Garden, August 24

Wednesdays in the Learning Garden, August 24, 2022
Drop-in and Learn!

Wednesday, August 24, 2022
9 a.m.-11 a.m.

NC Cooperative Extension
Buncombe County Center
49 Mount Carmel Road
Asheville, NC 28806

The Learning Garden Map

New in 2022, The Learning Garden, located at the Cooperative Extension Office, 49 Mount Carmel Road will provide opportunities to Drop-In and Learn in the garden. Each month, selected gardens will offer demonstrations and programs, while all our gardens will be open to the public.

In addition, our Helpline desk will be open indoors from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for in-person consultations, where Extension Master GardenersSM will provide problem solving assistance. Feel free to bring questions and samples (plant and insect) to the Helpline desk during your visit to the Learning Garden.

July 27 demonstrations will be:

Basics of Composting. Learn to compost with a multi-bin system: what to use and what not to use, how to mix it, how to monitor the pile, when it is ready, and how to use the finished product.

Taming Climbing Roses. Are your climbers out of control? Learn how to get your climbing rose onto your arbor or trellis to promote blooms.

Invasive Plant Table. Do you ask, what is this vine forming berries climbing all over my garden? Should I let English ivy climb up my trees? These plants are non-native invasive plants that are taking over our gardens and our forests. Come and see samples of these plants and learn how to reduce their spread.Garden tools are adapted to meet special needs.

Ergonomic Tools. Discover how to modify tools or purchase new tools that help gardeners garden longer.

Kids Corner. Family friendly gardening activities for the young at heart.

Our gardens open at 9 a.m. and demonstration programs will run between 10 and 11 a.m. Come, walk around, and soak in our lovely gardens! Most programs are informal and continuous – exceptions are noted above.

Note: Almost all activities will be held outdoors, so please dress appropriately for the weather.

Registration is not required.  Plan to Drop in and Learn!

Additional information about The Learning Garden is located on this website.

Garden tools are adapted to meet special needs.
Happy EMGs Eager to Answer Your Questions!

 

Register Now: 2022 WNC Gardening Symposium, October 12

Online registration is now open for the 2022 WNC Gardening Symposium, to be held October 12 at Blue Ridge Community College in Flat Rock, North Carolina.

Our program will include the following interesting and delightful speakers:

  • Toni Gattoni, our keynote speaker, an adaptive gardening expert, a blogger, and author of The Lifelong Gardener: Garden With Ease and Joy At Any Age. You can follow Toni on Facebook and Instagram.  Visit https://tonigattone.com for inspiration, tools and resources for the resilient gardener. Her talks will be You Can Garden for Life and Create a Fire-Smart Landscape;
  • Preston Montague is an artist, educator, and landscape designer who developed a passion for the natural world while growing up in the rural foothills of Virginia. He will be talking about landscape design. Preston has generously donated a beautifully framed and autographed botanical print that will be raffled off at the symposium;
  • Brenda Rosbrook and Kay Campbell, The Shady Ladies of Raymond’s Garden Center, will present transitioning from Fall into Winter/Holiday container gardening by changing out different decorative items. Ideas include using obelisks, trellises, pumpkins and holiday themed items; and,
  • Sue Goetz, designer, speaker, author and owner of The Creative Gardener, is based in Tacoma, Washington. Sue is a certified professional horticulturist, the author of three books, The Herb Lover’s Spa Book,  A Taste of Herbs, Complete Container Herb Gardening and an award-winning designer. You can follow Sue on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.  Visit herbloversgarden.com for recipes and inspiration. Her motto “inspiring gardeners to create” will define her talk on A Taste of Herbs.

The symposium fee is $60 if you register by midnight on August 31 and $65 after that date. All registrations must be received by September 5.

Click here for more information and to register:
2022 WNC Gardening Symposium

 

Contact Us

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

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