Soap, salve and tea from the garden
The N.C. Museum of History in downtown Raleigh is hosting a free event from 1-4 p.m. July 11 on how plants have been and are currently used for medicine and hygiene.
The drop-in program includes take home recipes and tips to keep your house fresh all summer long. Here is the list of speakers:
▪ Mary Colman, soap maker and owner of Pinnacle Hills Goat Farm in Surry County, will demonstrate how she makes homemade salves. Her goat milk soaps will be available for purchase.
▪ Members of the N.C. Herb Association will be talking about herbs and selling copies of their book, “Cooking with Nature.”
▪ Professional gardener Lauri Lawson will discuss historical and current uses of sassafras as well as serving free samples of sassafras tea.
The museum is at 5 E. Edenton St., Raleigh.
Info: ncmuseumofhistory.org, 919-807-7900.
Childrens’ gardening camps
If you are still looking for some summer activities for the children, there are a few upcoming summer camps at local gardens.
Duke University’s Sarah P. Duke Gardens has openings in three upcoming camps:
▪ July 13-17: Animals in the Gardens for children in kindergarten to second grade.
▪ July 20-24: Animals in the Gardens for children in third to fifth grade.
▪ July 27-31: Grow Your Own Food for children in kindergarten to second grade.
The Duke camps are 9 a.m.-1 p.m. weekdays. Extended care available from 1-4 p.m. The cost is $200 per week; $170 for each additional sibling or week; $100 per week for extended care.
Info: gardens.duke.edu/learn/camp.
The JC Raulston Arboretum in Raleigh also has some openings in an upcoming camp:
▪ July 27-31: Garden Chefs for children in third to fifth grade.
The camp is 9 a.m.-3 p.m. The cost is $210 per child if a member or an additional $75 for a family membership.
The arboretum is at 4415 Beryl Rd, Raleigh.
Info: 919-515-3132, jcra.ncsu.edu.
The N.C. Botanical Garden in Chapel Hill also has summer nature camps but their programs have wait lists.
Info: ncbg.unc.edu/summer-nature-camp/.
Annual Gardeners’ Fair is July 21
The Durham Garden Forum is hosting its fourth annual gardeners’ fair at Duke University’s Sarah P. Duke Gardens from 6:30-8 p.m. July 21.
This is your opportunity to talk to gardening experts and see and buy wares from about a dozen exhibitors. The exhibitors include master gardeners, beekeepers, garden centers, authors and more. The event is co-sponsored by N.C. Cooperative Extension.
The event is free and held at 420 Anderson St., Durham.
Info: 919-668-1707 or nando.com/gardenfair.
Home Depot offers DIY classes
The home improvement store chain offers free workshops each weekend.
Here is a sample of a upcoming workshops at Wake County stores:
Learn Interior Paint and Drywall Repair, 10-11:30 a.m. July 11; Learn to Install Tile Flooring, 1-2:30 p.m. July 12; Learn to Install a Faucet, 10-11:30 a.m. July 18; Learn to Install a Toilet, 1-2:30 p.m. July 19; Learn Bathroom and Cabinet Updates, 10-11:30 a.m. July 25; and Installing Tile Backsplash, 1-2:30 p.m. Aug. 9.
Check individual stores for class schedules: workshops.homedepot.com.
Weigl: 919-829-4848;
Twitter: @andreaweigl
This story was originally published July 9, 2015 at 6:44 PM with the headline "Soap, salve and tea from the garden."