Friday, January 31, 2014

PRUNING TIPS

 Join the Extension Master Gardeners
for the next FREE WALKING TOUR
of the
PITT COUNTY ARBORETUM

Meet in front of the Ag Center under the shelter
MAP 

February 6th, THURSDAY

Starting at 10:00 AM

The February Tour will focus on the
What, When and How of pruning

Questions? Call (252) 902-1709

Monday, January 27, 2014

UPCOMING CLASSES AT PITT COUNTY ARBORETUM

Danny Lauderdale, our Pitt County Extension Agent, and several Master Gardener Volunteers will be leading classes on the following topics.  The classes are open to the general public and are free.  Mark your calendars now and check back here as the date nears or call 252-902-1709 for more information or to register.

  • 2/11/14  10:00 AM  PRUNING DEMONSTRATION
  • 3/12/14  10:00 AM  VEGETABLE GARDENING
  • 4/23/14  10:00 AM  VERTICAL GARDENING 
  • 5/22/14    9:00 AM   LAWN CARE 

Thursday, January 23, 2014

THE GARDEN SONG


Ok, so this is a bit of a departure from the normal post, but who can resist singing flowers?  Here are the lyrics to sing along with John Denver:
"Garden Song" was written by David Mallett
Inch by inch, row by row
Gonna make this garden grow
All it takes is a rake and a hoe
And a piece of fertile ground
Inch by inch, row by row
Someone bless these seeds I sow
Someone warm them from below
Till the rain comes tumblin' down
Pullin' weeds and pickin' stones
Man is made of dreams and bones
Feel the need to grow my own
'Cause the time is close at hand
Rainful rain, sun and rain
Find my way in nature's chain
Tune my body and my brain
To the music from the land
Plant your rows straight and long
Temper them with prayer and song
Mother Earth will make you strong
If you give her love and care
Old crow watchin' hungrily
From his perch in yonder tree
In my garden I'm as free
As that feathered thief up there
Inch by inch, row by row
Gonna make this garden grow
All it takes is a rake and a hoe
And a piece of fertile ground
An inch by inch, row by row
Someone bless these seeds I sow
Someone warm them from below
Till the rain comes tumblin' down

  Are you smiling yet?  Need something else to smile about?  Come out and see Paul James, The Garden Guy, this Saturday.  Click here for all the DETAILS.

Thursday, January 16, 2014

GARDEN ART

In the winter, you might want to consider adding a little bit of whimsy to your landscape.  When shrubs and trees are bare, perennials have disappeared, and bulbs have yet to flower some garden art might be just what is needed to brighten your garden.  It could be some concrete statuary, a bottle tree, wind chimes, obelisks, or trellises (even if void of plants, they add interesting structure).  We have a variety of garden art at the arboretum.  This is a concrete bunny peeking out from the leaves in our Mixed Border. 

Time is running out to purchase your tickets for our Paul James Event.  Click here to VIEW THE FLYER.

Thursday, January 9, 2014

MONARCHS

Monarch


Asclepias curassavica
Monarch caterpillar

This time of year the seed catalogs come rolling in by the dozens.  While you are planning the upcoming growing season's gardens, consider planting something to lure the monarch butterflies in.  One such plant is the annual Asclepias curassavica or tropical milkweedIt is easily grown from seed and can be started indoors about 8 weeks before our last frost and then transplanted to a sunny spot outside.  Asclepias is a host plant for the monarch and is the only plant that it will lay its eggs on.  Beware, though, the hungry caterpillars will munch away at the leaves.  However, it will continue to grow and flower.

We grow a patch of milkweed for the monarchs next to the Children's Garden.  You can read more about monarchs and other butterflies BY CLICKING HERE.