Here’s a schedule for gardening events in January throughout the Piedmont of North Carolina.
JANUARY
5: Walk on the Wild Side: Explore wild North Carolina in these walks through the Blomquist Garden of Native Plants. Fee charged. (members free). Registration required. Sarah P. Duke Gardens, Durham. 919-668-1707. gardens.duke.edu.
5: Friends of the Arboretum Lecture: “Plant Hunting Expeditions of E. H. Wilson.” Jason Lattier, Department of Horticultural Science graduate student, will present a program. on one of the greatest plant hunters of all time who traveled China over 100 years ago to collect many of the exotic plants we enjoy in our gardens today. Fee charge. 7:30 p.m.-9 p.m. JC Raulston Arboretum at NC State University, Raleigh. 919-513-7005. www.ncsu.edu/jcraulstonarboretum.
10: Whoo’s Here, 3:45-4:45 p.m., Wing Haven Garden, Charlotte. Gain a better understanding of how plants and animals survive the cold.
12: Friends of the Arboretum Lecture: “Wildflowers Go Wild.” Betsy Pringle of the William C. Coker Garden Club and the Rock Garden Society, shares her lifetime of experiences with wildflowers in the Carolinas. Fee charged.10 a.m.-11:30 a.m. JC Raulston Arboretum at NC State University, Raleigh. 919-513-7005. www.ncsu.edu/jcraulstonarboretum.
10: Plantsmen’s Tour, “Hot Plants That Take Cold Temperatures,” by Mark Weathington, Assistant Director and Curator of Collections. Learn about some plants from dry areas of the world, many of which never see temperatures below freezing, which are thriving at the Arboretum. Free. 1 p.m.-2:30 p.m. JC Raulston Arboretum at NC State University, Raleigh. 919-513-7005. www.ncsu.edu/jcraulstonarboretum.
11: Become a Green Gardener Volunteer, five-week training program. The North Carolina Botanical Garden invites you to join The Green Gardeners — volunteers who help and offer advice to visitors and callers. Free. North Carolina Botanical Garden. Chapel Hill. 919-962-0522. ncbg.unc.edu.
14: Organic Vegetable Gardening 101 – Basic Botany/Horticulture, 9:30 a.m.-11 a.m. A six-class series geared to the novice gardener, learn about organic vegetable gardening practices, basic techniques, and the horticultural reasons behind them. Fee charged. Logan Trading Co. 919-828-5337. www.logantrd.com.Gardening for Urban Spaces – Class 1
14: Getting Started, 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Learn about gardening in central NC, sustainable and organic gardens, and when, what and how much. Fee charged. Registration required. Atlantic Avenue Orchid and Garden, Raleigh. 919-878-8877. www.atlanticavenuegarden.com.
14: Winter Pruning, 10 a.m. – noon, Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens, Belmont. Fee charged. Call to register or register online. Lead horticulturist Kaiti ODonnell will share tips and techniques for proper pruning that will result in healthy, well-shaped trees and shrubs.
14: Slow Food Piedmont’s Annual Seed Swap, Single Brothers’ Workshop, Old Salem, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Come swap seeds and stories — first time growers, long time growers, anyone who is interested! Bring your extra seeds or just yourself. Bring a container for each of your seed types. Also include any information you know about the seed (plant name, characteristics, where you first got it). Bags will be provided for sharing seed. Pot luck lunch. Free workshop. Call 336- 721-7384 for more information or to pre-register.
14 & 21: The Homeowner’s Guide to Designing and Building Your Residential Garden, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.Two-session workshop teaches the basics of landscape design, and provides hands-on experience for designing and building a home garden. Fee charged. Registration required. North Carolina Botanical Garden, Chapel Hill. 919-962-0522. ncbg.unc.edu.
14: Chasing the Winter Blues at the Garden Hut, 11 a.m., Carol Stein’s Gardeners Forum “Attracting Bluebirds”. Free. Registration required. The Garden Hut, Fuquay-Varina. 919-552-0590. www.NelsasGardenHut.com.
15: Orchids of Australia: NC Piedmont Orchid Society meeting and guest lecture, 1 p.m., Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens, Belmont. Featuring Tom Mirenda, orchid specialist for the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. Join in on this rare opportunity to learn from a visiting expert. Free with garden admission.
16: Durham Beekeepers, 6:30 p.m.-9 p.m., Monthly meeting for those interested in learning more about beekeeping, or sharing techniques. Sarah P. Duke Gardens, Durham. 919-668-1707. gardens.duke.edu.
17-31: Planting the Landscape: Design II, Tuesdays, 6 p.m.-9 p.m. (3 sessions). Students will work with landscape designer Jan Little, study plant combinations and evaluate the use of color and texture in their designs to complete the planting design. Fee charged. Prerequisite: Design Your Home Landscape I. Sarah P. Duke Gardens, Durh a.m.. 919-668-1707. gardens.duke.edu.
17: A Garden of Moss, 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m. The Durham Garden Forum. David Spain of Moss and Stone Gardens will share his expertise on moss culture and design strategies. Fee charged (members free). Sarah P. Duke Gardens, Durh a.m.. durh a.m.gardenforum@gmail.com.
18: Plants of Distinction: Winter—Variegated Evergreens, 1 p.m.-3 p.m. Jason Holmes, curator of the Doris Duke Center Gardens, will introduce you to spectacular plants. Fee charged. Sarah P. Duke Gardens, Durh a.m.. 919-668-1707. gardens.duke.edu.
Jan. 19-Feb. 2: Vegetable Gardening Through the Year, Thursdays, 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. (3 sessions) Discover the treats of each season in this three-part course. The winter series introduces you to winter cover and companion crops, seed starting, cold frames and other season-extending strategies. Fee charged. Sarah P. Duke Gardens, Durh a.m.. 919-668-1707. gardens.duke.edu.
21: Moss Gardens in a Dish, 9 a.m.-12 noon. Create an amazing miniature world using a variety of mosses in the dish of your choice, with guidance from David Spain, of Moss and Stone Gardens in Raleigh. Learn about the care and planting of moss. Fee charged. Sarah P. Duke Gardens, Durham. 919-668-1707. gardens.duke.edu.
21: Organic Vegetable Gardening 101 – Planning & Design, 9:30 a.m.-11 a.m. A six-class series geared to the novice gardener. Learn about organic vegetable gardening practices, basic techniques and the horticultural reasons behind them. Fee charged. Logan Trading Co. 919-828-5337. www.logantrd.com.
Jan. 20-March 18: Orchid Spectacular annual showcase of orchidsat Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens. Will feature colorful naturalized displays created with The Gardens’ collection of 5,000 orchids, continuing education classes, lectures and more. In addition, The Garden will feature the Art of Orchids which showcases beautiful antique lithographs provided by American Orchid Society Judge Don Osborne. Free with Garden admission. Open 7 days a week from 9 a.m. 5 p.m. For more visit www.DSBG.org or call 704-825-4490.
21: Orchids in Your Home, 2-4 p.m. Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens. Orchid specialist Lee Potts will discuss tips for growing and repotting orchids. Participants will leave with two orchidsone that they pot up themselves, and one already in bloom to enjoy. Fee charged. For more visit www.DSBG.org or call 704-825-4490.
21: Gardening for Urban Spaces – Class 2, 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Topic: Garden Types and Designs. Learn about rows, raised bed, integrated and vertical, aesthetics and functionality. Fee charged. Registration required. Atlantic Avenue Orchid and Garden, Raleigh. 919-878-8877. www.atlanticavenuegarden.com.
21 & 28: Winter Botany, 1 p.m.-4 p.m. Spend some time in the Gardens and Duke Forest with Ken Moore, former assistant director of NC Botanical Garden, to learn the secrets of winter botany. Book provided. Fee charged. Sarah P. Duke Gardens, Durham. 919-668-1707. gardens.duke.edu.
22: Gardening with Herbs, 2 p.m.-4 p.m.Hear about incorporating herbs into your landscape, part of the Durham Master Gardeners’ Extension Gardening Series. Free. Registration required. Sarah P. Duke Gardens, Durham. 919-668-1707. gardens.duke.edu.
26: Garden Workshop: History of the Rose, noon- 1 p.m., James A. Gray Auditorium, Old Salem Visitors Center, 900 Old Salem Road. Presented by Suzanne Langlois of Greensboro, consulting rosarian and collector of old roses. Please bring a lunch; coffee and iced tea provided. Free workshop presented by Old Salem Museums & Gardens Department of Horticulture. Non-perishable food items appreciated for Second Harvest Food Bank. Please call (336)721-7384 for more information or to pre-register.
In the event of inclement weather, or if Old Salem is closed, the workshop will be cancelled and re-scheduled to February 2.
26: Friends of the Arboretum Lecture, “London-Plus Gardens,” 7:30 p.m.-9 p.m. See the sights, plants, and gardens friends and staff of the JC Raulston Arboretum saw when they visited London in June 2011. Fee charged. JC Raulston Arboretum at NC State University, Raleigh. 919-513-7005. www.ncsu.edu/jcraulstonarboretum.
26: Seven Strategies for Garden Success, 9:30 a.m., with Donna Williamson, Wing Haven Garden, Charlotte. The key to a beautiful and coherent garden is discerning, shaping and sustaining the intention for the space. Seven strategies for sorting out the real issues make this a simpler process. Once intention lights the way, the garden can come together with sensibility and artistry. Williamson’s book, “The Virginia Gardener’s Companion: An Insider’s Guide to Low-Maintenance Gardening in Virginia,” will be available at Wing Haven. Fee charged. For information, call 704-331-0664.
28: Organic Vegetable Gardening 101 – Bed Preparations/ Building Soil, 9:30 a.m.-11 a.m. A six-class series geared to the novice gardener, learn about organic vegetable gardening practices, basic techniques, and the horticultural reasons behind them. Fee charged. Logan Trading Co. 919-828-5337. www.logantrd.com.
28: Herbal Pleasures: Facial Treatments, 10 a.m.-noon, Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens, Belmont, with Barbara Swierszcz, Serenity Acres Farm. Herbal facials are a treat during winter months as they help protect your skin from the dry, rough effects of winter. Learn how to create your own facials, scrubs, and toner with our certified herbalist, and leave with a variety of herbal potions to use at home or give as gifts. Fee charged. Register by phone 704-825-4490 or online.
28: Gardening for Urban Spaces – Class 3, Topic: Soils and Composting, 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Learn about ideal soil, improving soil, and composting containers and methods. Fee charged. Registration required. Atlantic Avenue Orchid and Garden, Raleigh. 919-878-8877. www.atlanticavenuegarden.com.
28: Fruit Tree Training, 10 a.m.-12 noon. Dr. Mike Parker, Tree Fruit Specialist at NC State, will demonstrate how to train fruit trees. Free. Central Crops Research Station, Clayton. 919-989-5380 or by e-mail snbanks@ncsu.edu. johnston.ces.ncsu.edu.
29: Orchid Open House, 12 noon-5 p.m. Annual Orchid Open House, unusual colors to see during prime orchid season, including sale of everything in the greenhouse. Atlantic Avenue Orchid and Garden, Raleigh. 919-878-8877. www.atlanticavenuegarden.com.
Jan. 29, Feb. 5, 12, 19: Winter Flora (4 part class) 1:45 p.m.-4:45 p.m. Enjoy discovering that many trees and shrubs are easily recognized when not covered with leaves. Field trips provide experience in recognizing winter and early spring native plants in a natural setting. Fee charged. North Carolina Botanical Garden, Chapel Hill. 919-962-0522. ncbg.unc.edu.
29: Vegetable Gardening Workshop, 2 p.m.-3:30. Hosted by Wake County Extension Master Gardeners. Free. Yates Mill County Park, Raleigh. 919-250-1084. mgardener@wakegov.com.
31: Go Green with Moss, with Annie Martin, Wing Haven Garden, Charlotte. Lecture at 9:30 a.m., workshop at 1 p.m. Eco-friendly mosses provide year-round “green” in the landscape, and the environmental benefits parallel their incredible beauty. Come learn about these amazing miniature plants from a moss gardening expert. Workshop offers a unique “hands-on” opportunity to make your own moss dish garden to take home. All mosses, native plants and containers included. Fee charged. Enrollment limited and pre-registration is required. 704-331-0664