SUMMER NEWSLETTER

 The Summer Edition of the Extension Gardener is ready for you.
READ IT BY CLICKING HERE

THANK YOU

Thank you to all who came out for the Plant Sale.  All proceeds are used to enhance the Arboretum and fund our public outreach programs.  It was a hot, sunny day and the plants moved fast.  Next year's sale is already on the calendar:  The Saturday after Mother's Day.

If you have questions about the plants you just purchased, call the Master Gardener Hotline 252-902-1705.  On Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday someone will be there to answer the call from 10:00 AM to Noon.  At other times, leave a message and they will return your call when they are back in the office.  You also can email a question to pittcomgv@gmail.com.

Remember to keep your new plants watered until they are established (even if they are labeled drought tolerant).

PLANT SALE TOMORROW!

Hope to see all of you at the Pitt County Arboretum tomorrow.  9 AM if you are a Friend of the Arboretum (Join at the gate).  10 AM to Noon for everyone else.  The Master Gardeners have worked hard over the past months to get ready for you.  The plants look great.  The weather forecast is promising (although we go rain or shine).  Bring your cash or your checkbooks.  You are sure to find the perfect plants for your garden at fabulous prices.  Also, there will be a bunch of Master Gardeners and Eric, our Extension Agent, to answer your questions.

M A P

NATIVE PLANTS at the PLANT SALE

Once again we will be featuring Native Plants for sale at the Plant Sale.    Why plant natives?

• More Wildlife - Would you like to have more birds and butterflies in your backyard?  Native animals are best adapted to native plants for food and cover, so a well-planned landscape of native plants can help you attract more wildlife to your property. 
• Low Maintenance - Plants native to an area are well suited to the local soils and climate, and require relatively little upkeep once established on an appropriate site.

• Avoid Invasive Exotics - The spread of invasive, exotic plants poses a threat to native plants and animals around the world.  You can do your part to slow down these threats in your area.

You can read more by clicking here:  GOING NATIVE.

 Painted Lady Butterfly on Echinacea purpurea

PLANT SALE PLANTS FOR MONARCHS

Once again we will be selling Asclepias (Milkweed or Butterfly Weed) for our Monarchs.  This is the host plant for the monarch.  They will lay their eggs only on this plant.  When the eggs hatch, the new caterpillar will eat the leaves.  Don't worry, though.  The plant should regrow and return the next year.  The Monarch butterfly will get nectar from a variety of flowers.  We will have many flowering plants that attract all butterflies:  Asters, Bee Balm, Joe Pye Weed, Black-Eyed Susans, Daylilies, and Coreopsis to name a few.

Click BUTTERFLY GARDENS for tips on creating your own butterfly sanctuary.

MAY 20, 2017 - PLANT SALE

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM Open for Friends of the Arboretum (Join that day)

10:00 AM-Noon Open to the Public

11:00 AM PLANT SWAP (Bring a plant, garden tool, books, containers, etc.  you want to trade with other gardeners)

PLANT SALE NEWS

We are finalizing our plant lists for you!  If you have been before, you will see some of our tried and true favorites.  If you have been before, you will find some new plants we have not offered before.  We are just hoping the weather forecast holds out.  However, the sale goes on rain or shine.

In addition to our flowering plants, trees, shrubs, and vines we will have some tomato and pepper plants ready to plant in your garden.  As usual, we will also have herbs.

If you haven't signed up to join or renew your Friends of the Arboretum Membership, you will be able to join on the day of the sale.  Come a little earlier to fill out the necessary form.

A PREVIOUS YEAR'S SALE

CURRENT NEWSLETTER

Have you read the Spring Edition?
Click below to read about some of these topics:

• Less toxic insecticides
• Selecting blueberries
• Becoming a beekeeper
• Crape myrtle bark scale
• Tips for herbicide use
• Vegetable crop rotation

EXTENSION GARDENER

PITT COUNTY FARMERS MARKET

MASTER GARDENER VOLUNTEERS

will be at the Farmers Market today from
8:00 AM - 11:30 AM

4560 County Home Road, Greenville

Bring your gardening questions and/or stop by their table for some free seeds.

APRIL SHOWERS BRING MAY FLOWERS

WHAT'S IN BLOOM THIS WEEK AT THE ARBORETUM:

ROSE GARDEN

1) Rosa WEKfrancoly 'In the Mood' Hybrid Tea Rose

2) Rosa grandiflora 'Hot Climate' Rose

MIXED BORDER

3) Ligustrum japonica (Japanese Privet)

CHILDREN'S GARDEN

4) Consolida ajacia (Giant Larkspur)

5) Amsonia hubrechtii (Arkansas Blue Star)

PERENNIAL BORDER
6) Echnacea purpurea (Purple Coneflower)
HERB GARDEN
7) Lavandula stroechas (Spanish Lavender)
8) Spiraea japonica (Japanese Spirea)
BUTTERFLY GARDEN
9)  Verbena bonariensis (Brazilian verbena)
10) Achillea 'Moonshine' (Yarrow)

Photos by M. Endres