WORKING WITH WILDFLOWERS

Would you like to incorporate wildflowers into your garden?  You can learn how to grow and maintain them, plus other valuable information by joining the Master Gardener Volunteers at the next FREE Walking Tour of the Pitt County Arboretum on Thursday, June 2nd.  The tour will begin at 9:00 AM in front of the Ag Center under the Green Roof Shelter (you'll see the 'Garden Tour' sign when you drive up to the building).   Click on the map link on the right for directions to the Ag Center/Arboretum.

The tour will last about an hour and is given rain or shine.  Here is a sneak preview of what you will see in bloom at the Arboretum's award winning Wildflower Garden.

Blanket Flower, Black-Eyed Susan
& Brown-Eyed Susan
Gallardia aristata,
 Rudbeckia hirta
&Rudbeckia triloba

Guara lindheimeri

Catchfly
Silene ameria

RAIN BARRELS

Should we use the water collected from our rain running off our roofs and gutters in the vegetable garden?  Read this article for the answer:  Rooftop Runoff

WHAT"S IN BLOOM - 'Early Sunrise'

 

There is a cheerful burst of color in the Children's Garden:  Coreopsis grandiflora 'Early Sunrise'.  Coreopsis, commonly called Tickseed is generally an easy to care for perennial.  It produces double daisy-like flowers throughout the summer.  They love the sun and butterflies love them.  They are also deer resistant.  Keep deadheading them over the growing season to extend blooming.  Leave new fall growth at the base for overwintering.

This is a perfect time to visit the Pitt County Arboretum.  There are so many plants in bloom this time of year it is difficult to pick just one to feature.  The weather has been pleasant for a walk through the gardens.  Self-guided tour maps may be found under the Green Roof Shelter in front of the Ag Center.  Master Gardener Volunteers lead walking tours on the first Thursday of each month starting at 9:00 AM during June, July, and August and  10:00 AM for the remaining months.

PLASTIC POTS

Don't just toss them in the garbage.  Lowe's Home Improvement stores will take not only pots, but also the tags.  (However you may want to save the tags for plant care information.)  Click here to read Lowe's policy:  RECYCLE THOSE POTS! Check with your local nursery's also as they may also have a use for them.

SATURDAY IS THE DAY FOR THE PLANT SALE

RAIN OR SHINE!

We have a great variety of plants available.  Among our plants you will find some old fashioned passalong plants which often aren't available in the nurseries.  The plants have been potted up from the Arboretum gardens and home gardens and lovingly cared for by the Master Gardeners for the past weeks who are now ready to turn their care over to you.  Hope to see you there!

PLANT SALE AT PITT COUNTY ARBORETUM

The Master Gardener Volunteers' Annual PLANT SALE will be SATURDAY, May 14th.  We have almost 2,000 plants for sale:  perennials, trees, shrubs, roses, vines, herbs, sedums, pond plants, heirloom tomatoes and other vegetables, and some annual plants.

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM   PREVIEW SALE FOR FRIENDS OF THE ARBORETUM
                                     (Memberships may be purchased at that time)

10:00 AM - NOON     SALE OPEN TO PUBLIC

11:00 AM                    PLANT SWAP.
                                    Bring plants, pots, garden art, garden books, etc.
                                    to swap with your neighbors.

Click on MAP in the right column for directions.
Call 252-902-1709 for any questions.

FARMERS' MARKET on COUNTY HOME ROAD

Stop by and meet some Extension Master Gardener Volunteers this Saturday from 7:30 AM - 11:30 AM.  They will be ready to answer gardening questions you may have as well as talk about the Pitt County Arboretum.  From now through August, on the first Saturday of the month, they will be at the Farmer's Market on County Home Road in Greenville.  Click here if you want to learn more about the Master Gardener Program in North Carolina.