NC Tomato Man speaking at Duke Gardens

A weekly roundup of home and garden classes, tours and more.

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Craig LeHoullier returns to give us all his knowledge and expertise about growing amazing quantities and varieties of vegetables. Container plants, in-ground plants, Craig will give us insight into a variety of growing techniques. Craig, the N.C. Tomato Man, is author of “Epic Tomatoes.” No preregistration necessary. 6:30 p.m. March 15. $10. Sarah P. Duke Gardens, Anderson St. and Erwin Rd., Durham. 919-684-3698, gardens.duke.edu.

Meet at the Waterwise Garden (first parking lot on right). Join our bird enthusiast for an easy walk while looking and listening for our feathered friends. 8:30 a.m. March 5. Free. Lake Crabtree County Park, 1400 Aviation Pkwy., Morrisville. 919-460-3390, wakegov.com/parks/.

Learn how to grow your own seasonal vegetables: big, small and even container gardens. 11 a.m. March 5. $10. The Garden Hut, 1004 Old Honeycutt Rd., Fuquay-Varina. 919-552-0590.

Come learn how to make your own fairy garden, perfect for spring tabletops, centerpieces, decks, screened in porches, etc. These are sweet, miniature live gardens that bring a splash of nature into your home. We’ll have all the materials to make your own. Live demonstrations at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Tea and homemade cookies will be served. 10 a.m. March 5. Ivy Cottage Collections, 2017 N.W. Cary Pkwy., Morrisville. 919-462-3434,

Explore some common bulbs and learn their secrets, like where they were all winter long! Get up close with the bursting buds on trees to see what’s about to happen.10:30 a.m.-noon March 5; 2-3:30 p.m. March 6. $5 per family. JC Raulston Arboretum at NC State University, 4415 Beryl Rd., Raleigh. 919-515-3132, jcra.ncsu.edu/.

Students will learn the basics of starting a permaculture garden and emerge with the confidence to begin transforming your own home environment into a useful sustainable habitat. 6:30-8:30 p.m. March 8, March 15. $250; $200 members (memberships can be bought for $50). JC Raulston Arboretum at NC State University, 4415 Beryl Rd., Raleigh. 919-515-3132, jcra.ncsu.edu/.

Learn about the workings of spring as we discuss the intricate biochemical cues that lead to emerging buds, flowers and new growth. Sign up separately for each session to learn about a new group of beautiful and useful plants, or take all five sections. Participant limit per session: 15. Information/registration: 919-668-1707 or gardenseducation@duke.edu. 2:30 p.m. March 10. $5-$7. Sarah P. Duke Gardens, Anderson St. and Erwin Rd., Durham. 919-684-3698, gardens.duke.edu.

Seeds are humans’ most precious plant resources. We collect them, exchange them, buy and sell them, and take them for granted. What are we doing to ensure that the most useful ones will be available if crops fail, environmental catastrophes occur, or for other reasons we are unable to harvest necessary seeds? Botanists have been addressing these possibilities for some time by keeping seeds in conditions that will allow them to retain viability. These facilities, known as seed banks, provide a first line of defense against catastrophic loss of plant germ plasm represented in seeds. This talk will consider the past, present, and future of these critical facilities. 7:30-9 p.m. March 10. $5; members free. JC Raulston Arboretum at NC State University, 4415 Beryl Rd., Raleigh. 919-515-3132, jcra.ncsu.edu/.

Explore the outdoors at Duke Gardens with your child. Each week includes stories, songs, movement, observation and hands-on creative projects that explore the Gardens. 10:30-11:30 a.m. March 11, March 18. $10; $7 members and Duke staff/members. Duke University – Sarah P. Duke Gardens, Anderson St. and Erwin Rd., Durham. 919-684-3698, gardens.duke.edu.

Learn how to assemble a reusable form, mix the ingredients, and create your own hypertufa planting trough. It has a stone-like appearance, excellent drainage, is relatively lightweight, and is a natural addition to your garden. All materials are provided. Registration required. $75. 9 a.m.-noon, March 12. Lasting Impressions, 4904 Hermitage Dr., Raleigh, 919-787-6228, lastingimpressionsleaves.com

Create a natural mold using a real leaf, and form your unique piece or sculpture. Can be hung indoors or outdoors or shaped for use as a birdbath. Your leaf will be one of a kind! Instructions included for curing and suggestions for painting your leaf. All materials are provided. Registration required. $65. 1-3 p.m. March 12. Lasting Impressions, 4904 Hermitage Dr., Raleigh, 919-787-6228. lastingimpressionsleaves.com

During the hike, the guide will talk about bird migration, including where birds come from and how they survive long distance journeys. Learn about the different types of migrant bird and learn some bird calls. 11-noon. March 12. Free. Beaver Marsh Nature Preserve, Cascadilla St, Durham. 919-698-9729.

Spring is here and it’s finally time to start planting! Learn the basics of planting an organic garden along with some helpful tips on caring for your garden throughout the season. 9-10 a.m. March 12. Free. Logan Trading Company, 707 Semart Dr., Raleigh. 919-828-5337, logantrd.com.

Pruning is both an art and a science. Learn a little about what you are doing, and be bold! Pruning, when done properly and at the correct time of year, can be beneficial to your garden. Let us show you the basics of what, when and how. Class is free. 10 a.m. March 12. Free. Fairview Greenhouses and Garden Center, 8224 Holly Springs Road, Raleigh. 919-851-6821, fairviewgardencenter.com.

This class is perfect for the whole family. Learn the best practices for seeding, planning and planting for optimal yields. We’ll help you get started with a few seeds of your own to take home. Class is $10 per family. Pay at the time of class. 10 a.m. March 19. $10. Fairview Greenhouses and Garden Center, 8224 Holly Springs Rd., Raleigh. 919-851-6821, fairviewgardencenter.com.

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 Road., Raleigh. 919-733-2626, ncstatefair.org.

This story was originally published March 1, 2016 at 10:11 AM with the headline "NC Tomato Man speaking at Duke Gardens."