Umstead birding walk, welding class and more events

Create a versatile planting container made to mimic the stone troughs in England centuries ago. They are lightweight, provide excellent drainage, look great in the garden or on the patio and can stay outside year round. All materials will be provided. 9 a.m.-Noon. Aug. 29. $70. Lasting Impressions, 4904 Hermitage Dr, Raleigh. 919-787-6228, lastingimpressionsleaves.com.

Many birds will migrate for better survival rates, but many birds do not. Join a bird enthusiast to learn who these resident birds are. No previous birding experience required. All Ages Welcome. Dress for the weather, bring hiking shoes/boots and plenty of water. Bring your binoculars (we will have a limited supply available to loan). Limit 10. Reservations required. 8-10:30 a.m. Aug. 29. Free. William B. Umstead State Park, 8801 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh. 919-571-4170, ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/wium/main.php.

Spend a day with fellow Durhamites in creating a one of a kind welded sculpture or a stool or maybe even a small side table. By the end of class you will be able to set up a MIG welder and know how to operate it. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Aug. 29. $125. Liberty Arts Sculpture Studio and Foundry, 923 Franklin St., Durham. 919-260-2931, liberty-arts.org.

Use real leaf to create a one-of-a-kind concrete birdbath for your garden. Every detail of the leaf will be revealed in your birdbath. Also learn tips for unmolding and painting your finished birdbath. All materials will be provided. 1-3 p.m. Aug. 29 $60. Lasting Impressions, 4904 Hermitage Dr, Raleigh. 919-787-6228, lastingimpressionsleaves.com.

Abundant food is growing around us for free in the wild. All we have to do is learn how to use it. This hands-on series covers wild food harvesting, processing and cuisine. The first half of each class will focus on identifying and harvesting plants and the second half will focus on processing the wild materials into high end culinary delights. Join wild harvest chef Tanith Tyrr for this delightful summer harvest and gourmet meal. 2-7 p.m. Aug. 29. $49. Piedmont Wildlife Center, 364 Leigh Farm Rd., Durham. 919-489-0900, piedmontwildlifecenter.org.

Each weekend, the Commercial and Education buildings, the Shoppes at Dorton, and the outside grounds are host to hundreds of dealers, craftsmen, and booths. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays, Sundays. Free. North Carolina State Fairgrounds, 1025 Blue Ridge Rd., Raleigh. 919-733-2626, ncstatefair.org.

Join one of the JCRA’s volunteer tour docents and learn about the arboretum’s plants, people, history, future and mission in a one-hour guided walk through the JCRA’s collections and gardens. 2-3 p.m. Sundays. Free. JC Raulston Arboretum at N.C. State University, 4415 Beryl Rd., Raleigh. 919-515-3132, jcra.ncsu.edu/.

HappymessART opens its studio for relaxed art-making alone or with company. Staff will be on hand to assist and offer inspirational material. Use the studio’s supplies, tools and space, but you are welcome to bring anything of your own that you want. 1:30-4:30 p.m. Sundays, 6:30-9:30 p.m. Thursdays. $25. HappymessArt, 718B Iredell St., Durham. 919-286-9763, happymessart.com.

Bring your work crew out to Art Bar all day Tuesday for this relaxing, expressive, free-flowing painting experience. Wine is 10 percent off all day. Perfect for nurses, office administrators, teachers, corporate agencies and government employees. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Tuesdays. $25. Art Bar Raleigh, 6109 Maddry Oaks Ct., Raleigh. 919-307-8107, artbarraleigh.com.

Come and work in the Garden and then sit down to a shared meal with fellow friends and members of the community. Bring a hat, bottle of water and dish to share. 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Thursdays, Saturdays. Free. Well Fed Community Garden, 1321 Athens Dr., Raleigh. 919-833-8898, irregardless.com/garden/.

Late summer is an ideal time to appreciate the texture and color of grasses in the landscape. 9-10:30 a.m., 6-7:30 p.m. Sept. 1. $5; members free. JC Raulston Arboretum at NC State University, 4415 Beryl Rd., Raleigh. 919-515-3132, jcra.ncsu.edu.

Durham’s native soil is somewhat difficult to work with. In this Durham County Extension Gardeners Series session, Charles Murphy will discuss what can be done to make the soil easier for the gardener and more productive for the plants. 6:30-8 p.m. Sept. 2. Free. Duke University’s Sarah P. Duke Gardens, Anderson St. and Erwin Rd., Durham. 919-684-3698, gardens.duke.edu.

This show offers a vast array of precious and semi-precious gem stones, pearls, beads and findings, minerals, fossils, and finished jewelry in gold and silver including 14K, 18K and platinum fine jewelry, custom designs, fashion jewelry, handcrafted and sterling silver. Wirewrappers and jewelers on site.Noon-6 p.m. Sept. 4, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sept. 5; 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sept. 6; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 7. $5. North Carolina State Fairgrounds, 1025 Blue Ridge Rd., Raleigh. 919-733-2626, ncstatefair.org.

These workshops are a great way to get creative with your child. Each workshop will allow your child, with your assistance, to create their very own ceramic artwork. Take one, or take them all! Because the projects need to be fired, artwork will be available for pick up about two weeks after the workshop. January: Make Your Own Bank February: Thrown from the Wheel March: Lanterns April: Birdhouses May: Garden Mushrooms. 10-11:30 a.m. Sept. 7; 4-5:30 p.m. Sept. 8; $15-$18. Durham Arts Council, 120 Morris Street, Durham. 919-560-2787, durhamarts.org.

Learn about spectacular plants that offer both beauty and functionality. Sign up separately for each session to learn a new group of beautiful and useful plants, or take all four sections. 2:30-4 p.m. Sept. 8. $7; $5 members. Duke University’s Sarah P. Duke Gardens, Anderson St. and Erwin Rd., Durham. 919-684-3698, gardens.duke.edu.

Explore the outdoors at Duke Gardens with your child. Each week the Garden hosts stories, songs, movement, observation and hands-on, creative projects that explore the gardens. 10:30-11:30 a.m. Sept. 11. $8; $7 members, staff and students. Duke University’s Sarah P. Duke Gardens, Anderson St. and Erwin Rd., Durham. 919-684-3698, gardens.duke.edu.

Enjoy a tour that covers a dozen delicious and drought-hardy perennial vegetables (Artichoke, Ground Nut, Solomon Seal, Asparagus and more) as well as ten sweet fruiting trees, brambles and shrubs like purple raspberry, figs, Yuzu citrus, bush cherry and more. They’re perennials, so you plant them only once but harvest from them every year. Rain or shine, dress appropriately. Garden tour, refreshments, handout, plenty of Q&A time. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Sept. 12. $30/$35, 1412 N. Mangum St., Durham, 919-824-2239. Reserve your space at: frankhyman.com

Learn how to raise eastern black swallowtail butterflies through their winter hibernations for release in your own back yard. Lori will work with you to explore the lifecycle and how to care for and feed the butterflies. The class will end with a scavenger hunt for children to find butterflies and host plants, while parents work directly with Lori to complete their understanding of butterfly care. Each child will receive a butterfly box, host plants, a caterpillar or chrysalis and Lori’s reference booklet to take home. 10-11:30 a.m. Sept. 12. $35. Duke University’s Sarah P. Duke Gardens, Anderson St. and Erwin Rd., Durham. 919-684-3698, gardens.duke.edu.

This festival features displays of gourds from around the world, special gourd workshops, and vendors of dried gourds, gourd seeds, gourd crafts, gourd art, books, and crafting supplies. Ribbons and prizes will be awarded in a variety of competitive categories. Other highlights include a live auction at noon on Saturday as well as a free gourd crafting table for children. See the website for details, a list of workshops and information on entering the competitions. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 12. $2; free for children 15 and under. North Carolina State Fairgrounds, 1025 Blue Ridge Rd., Raleigh. 919-733-2626, ncstatefair.org.

The Fuquay Varina Garden Club will host their 2015 Fall Garden Tour which will include unique gardens interspersed with artisan vendors, a Saturday luncheon, a raffle, door prizes and more. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 12. $18. The Garden Hut, 1004 Old Honeycutt Rd., Fuquay-Varina. 919-552-0590.

The highly anticipated annual consumer show will fill the facility with remodeling and home improvement ideas, celebrity guests, DIY and interactive seminars, the hottest new products -- and even a towering tree house surrounded by gardens built right inside the building. 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sept. 11; 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Sept. 12. $10. Raleigh Convention Center, 500 S. Salisbury St., Raleigh. 919-831-6011, raleighconvention.com.

Learn how to plant containers that survive droughts, produce flowers or food and look great with minimal attention. This hands-on demo and tour will cover herbs, dwarf citrus trees, flowers, edibles, orchids, houseplants, free supplies, potting soils, funky containers, permanent mulches and more. Rain or shine, dress appropriately. Garden tour, refreshments, handout, plenty of Q&A time. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Sept. 19. $35/$40. 1412 N. Mangum St., Durham, 919-824-2239. Reserve your space at: frankhyman.com

8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturdays, 220 N. Salem St., Apex,apexfarmersmarket.com

8 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturdays, 135 W. Chatham St., Cary,caryfarmersmarket.com

3-6 p.m. Wednesdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays, Fuquay-Varina Chamber of Commerce, 121 N. Main St., Fuquay-Varina, growers-market.org

8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturdays, 128 S. Main St., Holly Springs,goo.gl/xwK6hh

2-6 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays, 4505 Tryon Rd, Raleigh, nando.com/1bn

2-6 p.m. Saturdays (starting May 30), Knightdale Station Park, 810 N. First Ave., Knightdale, goo.gl/lhEjLo

8 a.m.- noon Saturdays, North Hills Raleigh, 4150 Main St., Raleigh,northhillsraleigh.com

9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays, Plantation Point Shopping Center, 3351 Cypress Plantation Drive, Raleigh, plantationpointshoppingcenter.com

8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays, Quail Corners Shopping Center, 5003 Falls of Neuse Road, Raleigh. 919-876-2726, quailproperties.com

10 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesdays, 400 block Fayetteville St., Raleigh (City Plaza), RaleighEatLocal.com

5 a.m.-6 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays; 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Sundays, 1201 Agriculture St., Raleigh. statefarmersmarket.org

10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays, 301 Kinsey St., Raleigh,rebusworks.us/thesaturdaymarket/

8 a.m.-noon Saturdays, 405 S. Brooks St., Wake Forest,wakeforestfarmersmarket.org

10 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesdays, 3000 New Bern Ave., Raleigh (free parking in the P1 parking deck for market patrons), goo.gl/DpGHtY

9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays, Waverly Place, Intersection of Tryon and Kildaire Farm Roads, Cary, waverlyfm.com

8 a.m.-noon Saturdays, 101 Gathering Park Circle, Cary, wwfm.ag

7:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturdays, 350 Stonecroft Lane, Cary, wwfm.ag

9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays, Zebulon Community Center, 310 S. Arendell Ave., Zebulon, goo.gl/4gLjgk

8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays, 480 Hillsboro St., Pittsboro,chathammillsfarmersmarket.com

Fearrington Farmers Market

4-6 p.m. Tuesdays, East Camden, Fearrington Village,fearringtonfarmersmarket.com

3-6 p.m. Thursdays, 287 East St., Pittsboro,pittsborofarmersmarket.org

9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays, 118 W. Second St., Siler City,silercityfarmersmarket.com

11 a.m.-2 p.m. Fridays, Searle Center, 10 Searle Drive, Durham (on the green behind the Searle Center and between Nanaline Duke and Bryan Research Buildings), dukemedicine.org

3:30-6:30 p.m. Wednesdays, 8 a.m.-noon Saturdays, Durham Central Park, 501 Foster St., Durham, durhamfarmersmarket.comSouth Durham Farmers Market

8 a.m.-noon Saturdays, 5410 N.C. 55, Durham,southdurhamfarmersmarket.org

9 a.m.-noon Tuesdays and Fridays, 9 a.m.-noon Saturdays, 103 S. Bickett Blvd., Louisburg, goo.gl/Fj4tEB

9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays, 348 E. Main St., Clayton, (Horne Square),cfcmnc.org

9 a.m.-noon Saturdays, Depot Park, 106 Charlotte Ave., Sanford,goo.gl/82omAJ

3-6 p.m. Wednesdays, 7 a.m.-noon Saturdays, 301 W. Main St., Carrboro, carrborofarmersmarket.com

3-6 p.m. Tuesdays, 8 a.m.-noon Saturdays, University Mall parking lot, 201 S. Estes Drive, Chapel Hill, thechapelhillfarmersmarket.com

8 a.m.-noon Saturdays, 144 E. Margaret Lane, Hillsborough (Farmers Market Pavilion). enoriverfarmersmarket.com

8 a.m.-noon Saturdays, 625 Hampton Point Blvd., Hillsborough (Home Depot parking lot near N.C. 86 and I-85),hillsboroughfarmersmarket.org

3:30-6:30 p.m. Thursdays, 650 Market St., Chapel Hill (Southern Village green), southernvillage.com/farmers-market/

7:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays, 210 Southpark Drive, Henderson, vancecounty.org/residents/farmers-market/

This story was originally published August 25, 2015 at 2:22 PM with the headline "Umstead birding walk, welding class and more events."