garden inn

Wendy Diaz shares her experience growing heirloom chrysanthemums, highlighting their beauty and her successful experience. She encourages others to explore this rewarding hobby.

We’ve had some frosty mornings here. Everything looks so beautiful all covered in frost. The night skies are especially beautiful in the cold weather too, so clear and bright. We adapt our daily tasks with the weather and seasons. Colder nights mean we drain and turn off the hoses in the evenings, after animal chores. In the mornings we use the extra buckets of water for the animals we’ve filled the night before. (After breaking the ice off the top.) We let the hoses thaw throughout the day, and have been able to use them later in the day. But I might be boring you with all this talk of hoses… Did you have any goals for the new year? A friend told me their year started off with thing after thing going haywire, to the point of ridiculousness, having so much all at once. Our year started out that way too. With so much breaking down, we’ve been taking it day by day, doing our best to just keep on rolling. I hope you’ve been having a good start to your year, but if the start to you...

Looking for low cost, highly educational programs about gardening? There are several events coming up in February and you can save the date for the Durham EMG plant festival and sale.

The Durham County Extension Demonstration Garden, recently transformed unsightly cisterns into vibrant pieces showcasing native plants and pollinators. Following a tree removal, plans are underway to plant new native plants that emphasize sustainability. Visitors are encouraged to explore the garden's enhancements.

I’ve always loved candlelight. How about you? Watching the flame is calming, and mesmerizing. For many years I’ve read stories aloud before bedtime. It’s one of my favorite ways to end the day… connecting with my family and enjoying a good story together. Lately I’ve been reading by candlelight on some nights, instead of next to the lamp like I normally do. Such a simple change, but one that makes the evenings feel a little extra cozy, and peaceful. On a cold winter night, when it’s dark earlier in the evening, lamplight is fine, but… There is something about glowing candles that gives a magical feeling to a winter night.

Like humans, pollinators need nutrition and a safe home. Using native species planted in a way that maximizes seasonality and diversity will lead to a lovely garden that meets the needs of pollinators.

Join Durham's Extension Master Gardener Volunteers on February 1, 2025, for a grafting workshop, including educational sessions and hands-on practice. Registration is required. The workshop will be followed by a scion exchange.

Happy New Year friends! In our usual tradition, we celebrated with sparklers. Been flipping over the calendars today, amazed that it’s 2025!

In January, gardeners can prepare for the upcoming growing season. It’s also an ideal time to research new plants for the garden.