Sponsored by Leaf & Limb

Are you new to the Raleigh area or just starting your gardening journey? Join us for Intro to Gardening in the South, a valuable morning lecture series designed to help new gardeners thrive in North Carolina's unique climate!

Gardening in Raleigh, NC, and the surrounding Southeastern U.S. presents both challenges and opportunities. With our hot summers, diverse soil types, and unique pest problems, gardening here requires a bit of local knowledge. This event will provide you with practical, expert advice on how to start a garden that flourishes in our growing conditions, while also offering insights that apply to gardeners across the Southeast.

What to Expect: This informative event will feature engaging talks on gardening in the South, covering everything from soil preparation to pest control to plant selection and maintenance. You'll also have the chance to have your gardening questions answered during a Q&A session with expert speakers who understand the unique conditions of our area.

Why Attend: Whether you're new to Raleigh or new to gardening in general, this event is designed to help you get started with confidence. You'll learn valuable tips on how to navigate the climate, understand our ecology, and choose the right plants for your garden. Attendees will walk away with the knowledge needed to create and maintain a thriving garden in the charming place we call home.

This event is perfect for gardeners of all levels, but we encourage experienced local gardeners to join us online via Zoom to ensure there's ample space for beginners and all our new neighbors. For those unable to attend live, a recording of the session will be available on our YouTube channel shortly after the event.

Schedule

9:00 am: Welcome with Mark Weathington, Director, JC Raulston Arboretum

9:15 am: "The Nuts & Bolts of Planting" Bryce Lane, Teacher, Speaker and Horticulturist

9:45 am: "The Southern Palate" Deanna Bigio, Horticulture Extension Agent, NC Cooperative Extension, Wake County Center

10:15 am: Break

10:30 am: "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly! A Fast, Furious Look at Insects in the Garden" Greg Paige, Director of Horticulture, JC Raulston Arboretum

11:00 am: Q&A with the speakers and sponsor

12:00 pm: Program Conclusion

Presentations

"The Nuts & Bolts of Planting"
Bryce Lane
Teacher, Speaker and Horticulturist
Here is a talk that answers all the important questions about planting ornamental plants in our gardens… How big should the planting hole be? When can you plant trees, shrubs, & herbaceous perennials? When is the best time to plant? What are the best planting practices? How long should you water a newly planted tree or shrub? And so much more.

"The Southern Palate"
Deanna Bigio
Horticulture Extension Agent of Wake County
North Carolina is a special state for gardening. It's the northern border for southern plants and the southern border for northern plants. While there are many options for edible crops in North Carolina, this talk will teach you the best practices and cultivars for growing fruits and vegetables in the Raleigh area.

"The Good, the Bad and the Ugly! A Fast, furious look at Insects in the Garden"
Greg Paige
Director of Horticulture, JC Raulston Arboretum
Ever wonder what's buzzing, crawling, and fluttering through your garden? This presentation will dive into the diverse world of garden insects, from the troublesome pests that can damage your plants to the beneficial pollinators and natural predators that support a thriving ecosystem. Learn how these critters interact with your garden and discover practical tips for managing them.

Registration

Advance registration is required for both in-person and online attendance. Register online using our registration e-store (in-person program and online program). Registration is limited and is complete when online registration is completed.

Please register by February 19 to allow enough time for your registration to be processed to ensure you receive the instructions to join us prior to the program.

Parking: Free parking is available at the JC Raulston Arboretum and along Beryl Road.

Questions: Contact the JCRA Education Team at [email protected] for more information about this program.

Location: Online and in person at the Ruby C. McSwain Education Center, JC Raulston Arboretum at NC State University.

Click here to register: In Person and Online