Upcoming gardening classes: landscape basics, lavender, bluebirds

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

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It’s easy to know what you want, it’s not as easy to know how to get it. Let us help you out by answering a few basic questions. We’ll discuss selecting the right plant for the right location, how to prepare the soil so a plant survives, basic water requirements, fertilizing and more. Class is free. 10 a.m. March 26. Free. Fairview Greenhouses and Garden Center, 8224 Holly Springs Rd., Raleigh. 919-851-6821, fairviewgardencenter.com.

Dale & Annie Greer Baggett of sunshine lavender farm in Hurdle Mills, visit the Hillsborough Farmers Market for this clinic and sale. Learn how to properly plant lavender and see hands-on demonstrations. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. March 26. Free. Oakdale Village, Oakdale Dr, Hillsborough. 919-618-6069,

Want to maximize the production of flowers and fruits from your shrubs? Renewal pruning is the way to do it. This simple technique works with the natural cycle of replacing old stems with new. This class will start with classroom explanations followed by actual demonstration of the technique on shrubs in the arboretum with some hands-on experience. 9-11:30 a.m. March 26. $25; $20 members. JC Raulston Arboretum, 4415 Beryl Rd., Raleigh. 919-515-3132, jcra.ncsu.edu/.

Discover spring in the Gardens. Learn about food, art and animals in this weeklong adventure. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. March 28-April 1. Sarah P. Duke Gardens, Anderson St. and Erwin Rd., Durham. 919-684-3698, gardens.duke.edu.

Wake County Extension Master Gardener Bill Satterwhite gives this presentation. 10 a.m.-noon. March 28. $5; members free. JC Raulston Arboretum, 4415 Beryl Rd., Raleigh. 919-515-3132, jcra.ncsu.edu/.

Muriel Williman, composter extraordinaire, demonstrates how to put your food scraps to good use by t demonstrating what to compost, what not to compost and why and how easy it is to start your own vermicomposting. The class is rain or shine, so dress for the weather. 3-4:30 p.m. March 30. Free. Carolina Campus Community Garden, 236 Wilson St, Chapel Hill.

Work with hand tools, play with dirt and explore nature through games, free play and organic gardening in the Charlotte Brody Discovery Garden. Sign up for one or more sessions. A healthy snack is provided. No strollers or unregistered siblings, please. 4 p.m.-5:30 p.m. March 30, April 6. $10; $7 members. Sarah P. Duke Gardens, Anderson St. and Erwin Rd., Durham. 919-684-3698, gardens.duke.edu.

Understanding Durham’s soil and climate will help you succeed in your garden, whether you are a Durham native or a transplant, an experienced gardener or just beginning. This presentation is part of the Extension Gardener Series with Durham County Master Gardeners. Registration/information: 919-668-1707 or gardenseducation@duke.edu. 6:30 p.m. March 31. Free. Sarah P. Duke Gardens, Anderson St. and Erwin Rd., Durham. 919-684-3698, gardens.duke.edu.

Find an array of plants ideal for this region at our Spring Plant Sale, including Duke Gardens plants, trees, shrubs, vines, bulbs, and decorative plant pots. And you can get free gardening advice from our staff and master gardeners. The spring plant sale also features a variety of specialized plant vendors from throughout the region. 9 a.m.-noon. April 1-2. Free. Sarah P. Duke Gardens, Anderson St. and Erwin Rd., Durham. 919-684-3698, gardens.duke.edu.

F B.W. Wells was the first botanist at N.C. State University and is acknowledged as the Father of Plant Ecology. In 1932, he wrote for “The Natural Gardens of North Carolina” which described the state’s diversity of plant communities from the coast to the mountains as a collection of natural gardens. B.W. retired to an old farmstead, Rock Cliff Farm, on a dramatic bend of the Neuse River, now a part of Falls Lake State Park. In addition to hearing stories of Wells’ life and botanical contributions, Julie and Ken, who both knew B.W. Wells, will guide participants over some of the trails and enjoy observing Wells’ art studio and the old out buildings surrounding the historic farmhouse. Travel by 7 passenger van and participant car pool. Bring a sack lunch and beverage for picnicking on the grounds. Sturdy walking shoes and walking sticks are recommended. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. April 2. $25; $23 members. N.C. Botanical Garden, 100 Old Mason Farm Rd., Chapel Hill. 919-962-0522, ncbg.unc.edu/calendar/

Shop new releases, sparkling grasses, shrubs and more. All proceeds benefit the JCRA. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. April 2. $5; free for members; $10 family max. Includes admission to Raulston Blooms festival. JC Raulston Arboretum, 4415 Beryl Rd., Raleigh. 919-515-3132, jcra.ncsu.edu/.

This full-day workshop provides an overview of the theory and practice of therapeutic horticulture. Participants learn how to use plants, gardens and nature as a therapeutic tool for health and well-being, including physical, social, emotional, and cognitive health. 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. April 2. $125; $100 members. N.C. Botanical Garden, 100 Old Mason Farm Rd., Chapel Hill. 919-962-0522, ncbg.unc.edu/calendar.

Learn, shop for your garden, get great ideas, and enjoy gourmet treats at Raulston Blooms, a day that’s packed with garden and nature activities, shopping, and outdoor fun. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. April 2. $10 per family; $5 individual; free for members and birdhouse competitors. JC Raulston Arboretum, 4415 Beryl Rd., Raleigh. 919-515-3132, jcra.ncsu.edu/.

This organic gardening workshop covers what vegetables to plant for a summer garden, when to start planting, tips on trellising, staking and organic methods of pest control, and how to get a large harvest from a small space. Following the indoor workshop, students will visit the CCCG and have an opportunity to garden with the CCCG volunteer corp. 1:30-3 p.m. April 3. $18; $16 members; free to UNC students. Newman Catholic Student Center Parish, 218 Pittsboro St, Chapel Hill. 919-929-3730, n-ch.org.

Learn how different types of seeds are spread and how they come together to form forests, meadows and other types of wild gardens. Compare seeds from around the park and play a game that will test your observation skills. Each child will take home their own mini garden. 1-2 p.m. April 6. $4 per child. Lake Crabtree County Park, 1400 Aviation Pkwy., Morrisville. 919-460-3390, wakegov.com/parks/.

Investigate the complex evolution of how plant species have developed the ability to use chemistry to create scents in both flower and leaf tissue, which can both attract beneficial pollinators and repel harmful herbivores. Noon-1 p.m. April 7. Free. N.C. Botanical Garden, 100 Old Mason Farm Rd., Chapel Hill. 919-962-0522, ncbg.unc.edu/calendar.

It’s a quandary: the six hours of sun that many showy, sun-loving plants require may mean exposure to our killer Piedmont afternoon sun. And then the level of sunlight changes from season to season and year to year. This presentation will give you strategies to read your garden, helping you understand just where the sun is across the arc of the day and over the course of a year. With this information you can situate your sun-loving plants in the most advantageous position possible and enjoy the show. 6:30-8 p.m. April 7. Free. Sarah P. Duke Gardens, Anderson St. and Erwin Rd., Durham. 919-684-3698, gardens.duke.edu.

Curious about bonsai? Have you been given one, only to be clueless what to do with it? Have you killed one? (who hasn’t, right?) Michael Markoff, member of the Triangle Bonsai Society, and two time winner of Best In Show for Bonsai in the North Carolina State Fair, will conduct a demonstration styling a common nursery juniper shrub into a viable bonsai tree in a little over an hour. Questions are encouraged. Starter plants, materials and tools will be available for purchase. Bonsai created in workshop will be raffled off at the end of class! 10-11 a.m. April 9. Free. Atlantic Avenue Orchid & Garden, 5217 Atlantic Ave., Raleigh. 919-878-8877, atlanticavenuegarden.com.

From plant selection, to landscape design, to installation, learn about how to garden in small spaces. Bryce Lane is an award winning teacher in Horticulture at NC State, speaker, and host of “In the Garden with Bryce Lane,” an Emmy award winning public television program. 10-11 a.m. April 9. Free. Atlantic Avenue Orchid & Garden, 5217 Atlantic Ave., Raleigh. 919-878-8877, atlanticavenuegarden.com.

Love orchids, but afraid to take one home? Maybe you received an orchid as a gift and now want to make sure you take care of it properly? Then this is the workshop for you. Learn basic orchid care from the experts and we’ll show you how easy it is. 9 a.m. April 9. $5. Atlantic Avenue Orchid & Garden, 5217 Atlantic Ave., Raleigh. 919-878-8877, atlanticavenuegarden.com

Designing your perennial shade garden shouldn’t be challenging! There are lots of fabulous shade plants to choose from — foliage contrasting in shade and texture, as well as blooming selections. Let our experts show you some of the best perennials that will thrive in the shady areas of your yard. Class is free but advanced registration is appreciated. 11 a.m.-noon. April 9. Free. Atlantic Avenue Orchid & Garden, 5217 Atlantic Ave., Raleigh. 919-878-8877, atlanticavenuegarden.com

Every gardener and homeowner can tell you what they consider to be a weed. Too often, one person’s weed is another creature’s critical food source or shelter, while another person’s prized plant might be the next ecological disaster. Discussion will include a brief history of weeds and their impact on ecosystems and our economy. This workshop focuses on ways to identify your weeds and strategies for their management, whether they be friend or foe. 10 a.m.-noon. April 9. $24; $22 members. N.C. Botanical Garden, 100 Old Mason Farm Rd., Chapel Hill. 919-962-0522, ncbg.unc.edu/calendar.

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 23, 2016 at 11:55 AM with the headline "Upcoming gardening classes: landscape basics, lavender, bluebirds."