How to enter the JC Raulston annual birdhouse competition

Now is the time to start thinking about entering the JC Raulston Arboretum’s annual birdhouse competition.

The contest, which is open to both children and adults, is part of the Raleigh arboretum’s annual Raulston Blooms! event April 1-2. The competition aims to raise awareness about bird habitats.

Adults have three categories: serious, flights of fancy and college students (those must be themed after the college or university or major). Serious entries are “best described as working birdhouses” and are judged on craftsmanship, functionality for humans and birds, mountability and aesthetics. Flights of fancy entries can “best be described as decorator birdhouses” and are judged on aesthetics, imaginative theme, craftsmanship and functionality.

Children have categories for ages 4-6, 7-9, 10-12 and 13-16. Entries will be judged on aesthetics, imaginative theme or concept, craftsmanship and functionality for birds.

Competitors are not limited to one entry; all entries should be portable. All entries are due at the Raleigh arboretum between 10 a.m.-6 p.m. April 1.

Judges will choose winners in first, second and third place; the winners will receive gift certificates from Garden Supply Co. in Cary.

More details on entry requirements can be found at jcra.ncsu.edu/birdhouses/.

The public can also view the entries and vote for their favorite birdhouse from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. April 2. Each vote costs 1 cent and will be a donation to the arboretum’s general fund within the N.C. Agricultural Foundation.

The arboretuem is at 4415 Beryl Road, Raleigh.

Info: 919-513-7005, jcra.ncsu.edu.

Learn to build a birdhouse at N.C. State

If you want to learn how to build a birdhouse, the Crafts Center at N.C. State is offering a class 6:30-9:30 p.m. Mondays, Jan. 25-Feb. 15. The class, taught by Crafts Center director George Thomas, will introduce woodworking and show how to create a good habitat for these feathered friends. Cost: $67 plus $8 for supplies.

There is still time to sign up for other classes at the crafts center. A few with available spots include:

▪ Wire-wrapped Jewelry, 6:30-9:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Jan. 19-Feb. 9. Cost: $56.

▪ Bracelets, Necklaces and Toggles Too, 6:30-9:30 p.m. Thursdays, Jan. 28-Feb. 11. Cost: $50.

▪ Day of Silversmithing, two sessions, 9 a.m -4 p.m. Jan. 30 or Jan. 31. Cost: $39.

▪ Chain-making Workshop, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Feb. 27. Cost: $39.

Supplies can be an additional cost.

The center is at 210 Jensen Drive, Raleigh.

Info: 919-515-2457, ncsu.edu/crafts.

Design an English garden

Duke University’s Sarah P. Duke Gardens will offer a class on how to adapt an authentic English garden to a North Carolina location.

The class will meet 6:30-9 p.m. Wednesdays, Jan. 20-Feb. 10. Duke Gardens horticulturist Annabel Renwick will teach the class. Students should bring a drawing of the site they want to develop; the site should not be larger than 75 by 75 feet.

The class will cover “the devices of definition, open ground and mixed borders will be refined with discussions of plant palette, the influence of light on color, and right plant/right place approaches,” according to the class description.

Cost: $95 for garden members and $115 for nonmembers. To register, call 919-668-1707 or email gardenseducation@duke.edu.

The gardens are at Anderson Street and Erwin Road, Durham.

Info: 919-684-3698, gardens.duke.edu.

Save the date: Plant Delights’ Open House Weekends

Wake County’s Plant Delights Nursery, home to well-known horticulturist Tony Avent, is having its winter open house weekends Feb. 26-28 and March 4-6.

You can purchase plants and tour the nursery’s 10-acre Juniper Level Botanic Garden, with more than 22,000 plants in southern Wake County.

Open house hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Feb. 26-27 and March 4-5, and 1-5 p.m. Feb. 28 and March 6. The nursery is at 9241 Sauls Road, Raleigh.

Info: plantdelights.com

This story was originally published January 5, 2016 at 9:18 AM with the headline "How to enter the JC Raulston annual birdhouse competition."