Introduction to bonsai class and more home and garden events

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

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Floral designers from across North Carolina and beyond bring springtime into West Building by interpreting masterworks from the permanent collection in 56 breathtaking flower displays. The NCMA will host a series of special events in conjunction with Art in Bloom, including an opening reception, presentations, master classes, workshops, and family activities. These events are ticketed separately from Art in Bloom. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. April 7-10. $15; $10 members; free for children under 7. N.C. Museum of Art, 2110 Blue Ridge Rd., Raleigh. 919-839-6262, ncartmuseum.org.

Shop and gather ideas from For Garden Sake’s largest in-house inventory of trees, shrubs, perennials and annuals. Listen to guest speakers in the garden, visit with Durham Master Gardeners, have lunch with Will & Pop’s food truck or browse the acres complete with goats, alpaca and more. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. April 9. Free. For Garden’s Sake, 9197 NC-751, Durham. 919-484-9759, fgsnursery.com.

Curious about bonsai? Michael Markoff, member of the Triangle Bonsai Society, and two time winner of Best In Show for Bonsai in the N.C. State Fair, will conduct a demonstration styling a common nursery juniper shrub into a viable bonsai tree in a little over an hour. 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 16. 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.-12 p.m. 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.-12 p.m. April 9. $24; $22 members. N.C. Botanical Garden, 100 Old Mason Farm Rd., Chapel Hill. 919-962-0522, ncbg.unc.edu/calendar.

Join Garden Director, Dr. Damon Waitt, as he presents NCBG50: Past, Present and Future to celebrate the 50th anniversary of North Carolina Botanical Garden. This special presentation of the Sims Lecture will recreate garden history through the lens of the wildflowers, plants and gardens that make the garden what it is today. 2-3:30 p.m. April 10. Free. North Carolina Botanical Garden, 100 Old Mason Farm Rd., Chapel Hill. 919-962-0522, ncbg.unc.edu/calendar.

Are you ready to get dirty? We’ll cover all the components of maintaining a healthy pond. From weekly cleanout, to seasonal maintenance, to the necessary products and treatments, our experts will show you how to properly clean your pond. It won’t always be pretty, but it will help ensure a clear and pristine pond that you can sit back and enjoy the rest of the year. Class is free but please register in advance. 2 p.m. April 10. Free. Atlantic Avenue Orchid & Garden, 5217 Atlantic Ave., Raleigh. 919-878-8877, atlanticavenuegarden.com.

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. 4-5:30 p.m. April 13, April 20. $10; $7 members. Sarah P. Duke Gardens, Anderson St. and Erwin Rd., Durham. 919-684-3698, gardens.duke.edu.

Come learn about one of the world’s most fascinating insects. Bees are responsible for pollinating one-third of the world’s food and produce one of the sweetest treats around. Participants explore a real live hive. 1-2 p.m. April 16. Free. Carolina Campus Community Garden, 236 Wilson St, Chapel Hill.

This course is perfect for those just beginning their study of trees, or for recent transplants to the N.C. Piedmont who want to identify the common deciduous trees in their backyard gardens and neighborhoods. Students spend time outdoors, walking in the garden or on the Piedmont nature trails, learning common trees and how to identify them and understanding why they grow where they do. 1:30-4:30 p.m. April 16. $65; $55 members. North Carolina Botanical Garden, 100 Old Mason Farm Rd., Chapel Hill. 919-962-0522, ncbg.unc.edu/calendar.

This event features free document shredding and identity protection tips, as well as electric/electronics recycling, and secure destruction of computers and hard-drives. Individuals are encouraged to bring up to three boxes or bags of documents that have been removed from binders. 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m. April 16. Free. Trademark Properties, 1001 Wade Ave, Raleigh. 919-782-5552, trademarkproperties.com.

Head to the vegetable garden for a pizza planting party, where you’ll learn how to add all the ingredients - herbs, tomatoes, and peppers - to grow a pizza garden, and take home some delicious plants to add to your backyard. Enjoy harvesting and tasting too. 1-2:15 p.m. April 16. $10; $8 members; no fee for accompanying adult. North Carolina Botanical Garden, 100 Old Mason Farm Rd., Chapel Hill. 919-962-0522, ncbg.unc.edu/calendar.

Build a pollinator haven in your garden! Discover the pollinators native to our region and then create a plant list that includes everything needed by them, from food to shelter. Finally, learn to filter your list to match your existing conditions, whether your garden is sunny, shady, dry or wet. This class is part of a series titled I Need a Plan: the fundamental steps to create a garden. Each different section of this program will help you plan your garden. Register for one or all sections. Instructor: Lauri Lawson, Niche Gardens Registration/information: 919-668-1707 or gardenseducation@duke.edu. 6:30 p.m. April 19, April 26. $35-$45. Duke University – Sarah P. Duke Gardens, Anderson St. and Erwin Rd., Durham. 919-684-3698, gardens.duke.edu.

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 April 6, 2016 at 1:41 PM with the headline "Introduction to bonsai class and more home and garden events."