Gourd festival, butterfly class and more

Explore the outdoors at Duke Gardens with your child. 10:30-11:30 a.m. Sept. 18. $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.

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

Enjoy a tour that covers a dozen delicious and drought-hardy perennial vegetables as well as 10 sweet fruiting trees, brambles and shrubs like purple raspberry, figs, Yuzu citrus, bush cherry and more. 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. Each child will receive a butterfly box, host plants, a caterpillar or chrysalis and 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. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 12. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 13. $2; free for children 15 and under. North Carolina State Fairgrounds, Holhouser Building, 1025 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh. 919-696-0744, ncgourdsociety.org/festival.

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.

Learn the basics of wild edible plants growing in our region of the state. This program is intended as an introduction to some examples of common wild plants, fruits, nuts, and roots and some of their poisonous and inedible lookalikes. 3-4 p.m. Sept. 14. Free. William B. Umstead State Park, 8801 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh. 919-571-4170, ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/wium/main.php.

The best gardens feel somehow effortless and exciting. 10:30 a.m.-Noon. Sept. 15, Sept. 22. $15; $12 members, students and staff. Sarah P. Duke Gardens, Anderson St. and Erwin Rd., Durham. 919-684-3698, gardens.duke.edu.

Learn about shrubs and perennials that will thrive and bring color to your shady garden. 6:30 -8 p.m. Sept. 15. $10; free for members. Sarah P. Duke Gardens, Anderson St. and Erwin Rd., Durham. 919-684-3698, gardens.duke.edu.

From seed to harvest, learn how a garden grows in this hands-on class. Participants are welcome to harvest from their plot throughout the growing season. All ages welcome. 919-668-1707; gardenseducation@duke.edu. 1:30-3 p.m. Sept. 15, Sept. 22. $60; $48 members, staff and students. Sarah P. Duke Gardens, Anderson St. and Erwin Rd., Durham. 919-684-3698, gardens.duke.edu.

Knowing the art and science of plant identification and plant nomenclature makes all kinds of gardeners more successful in their gardening endeavors. This class will equip you with the basics of plant identification, allowing you to expand and enhance your plant identification skills and abilities. 6-8 p.m. Sept. 15, Sept. 22. $220; $180 members. JC Raulston Arboretum at NC State University, 4415 Beryl Rd., Raleigh. 919-515-3132, jcra.ncsu.edu/.

Autumn brings rich rewards in the vegetable garden with salad crops and root vegetables, along with cabbage, broccoli and kale. Sarah will take you through the basics of autumn crops, strategies to extend the season, and how to prepare for next year’s garden with compost, cover crops and other techniques. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Sept. 16, Sept. 23. $99; $79 members. Sarah P. Duke Gardens, Anderson St. and Erwin Rd., Durham. 919-684-3698, gardens.duke.edu.

Learn how to plant containers that survive droughts, produce flowers or food and look great with minimal attention. 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.

The season is abundant with bounty from the garden! Learn how to use that produce in this class series. 9:30-11:30 a.m. Sept. 19. $25; $20 members. Sarah P. Duke Gardens, Anderson St. and Erwin Rd., Durham. 919-684-3698, gardens.duke.edu.

Join farmer Doug Jones for a primer on seed saving with an optional advanced portion on plant breeding. 9 a.m.-1 p.m., 1-3 p.m. Sept. 19. $50-$60. The Plant, 220 Lorax Ln., Pittsboro.

Create your own tiny oasis. Bring your own creative container or buy one on site and receive help with planting it after class. 11 a.m.-Noon. Sept. 26. Free. The Garden Hut, 1004 Old Honeycutt Rd., Fuquay-Varina. 919-552-0590.

Enhance your home garden with rare and unusual plants and bulbs, as well as some standards every southern garden should have. A wide selection of Duke Gardens propagated plants and hand-picked material from local suppliers will be offered, in addition to free expert advice. 9 a.m.-Noon. Sept. 26. Free. Sarah P. Duke Gardens, Anderson St. and Erwin Rd., Durham. 919-684-3698, gardens.duke.edu.

Fall is the best time to plant in this area, and horticulturist Nelsa Cox will show you how. 10 a.m.-11 a.m. Sept. 26. Free. The Garden Hut, 1004 Old Honeycutt Rd., Fuquay-Varina. 919-552-0590,

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. N.C. 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 special, relaxing, expressive, free-flowing painting experience. Wine is 10 percent off all day. 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 mea. 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/.

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 September 10, 2015 at 9:42 PM with the headline "Gourd festival, butterfly class and more."