Heirloom tomato expert speaking in Raleigh and more upcoming home and garden events

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

This event features games, crafts, and all sorts of other activities celebrating everything that pollinators do for us and the rest of the planet. There will be prizes and cool stuff for you to take home, local experts to answer your questions and food trucks. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. June 18. Free. Lake Crabtree County Park, 1400 Aviation Pkwy., Morrisville. 919-460-3390, www.wakegov.com/parks/lakecrabtree/Pages/default.aspx.

Noon-2 p.m. June 20. Free. JC Raulston Arboretum, 4415 Beryl Rd., Raleigh. 919-515-3132, jcra.ncsu.edu.

Hear from an expert about creating a living water system in a small pond or even a container. Jonathan Kidder designs and installs custom designed ponds, fountains and water features in both residential and commercial landscapes. Location: Doris Duke Center. No preregistration necessary. 6:30 p.m. June 21. $10. Sarah P. Duke Gardens, Anderson St. and Erwin Rd., Durham. 919-684-3698, gardens.duke.edu.

Craig LeHoullier, the NC Tomato Man, will be talking tomatoes at the Gardeners Of Wake County meeting at JC Raulston Arboretum. Meeting is open to all. Refreshments at 7 p.m., program starts at 7:30 p.m. June 21. JC Raulston Arboretum, 4415 Beryl Rd., Raleigh. 919-515-3132, jcra.ncsu.edu.

Instead of looking at the shadow-zone as a problem, it’s time to look at these areas as assets. This presentation will introduce you to what allows certain plants to adapt to shade and discuss a variety of plants that will fill your shady landscape with lush foliage and color variations. Registration/information: 919-668-1707 or gardenseducation@duke.edu. 6:30 p.m. June 23. Free. Sarah P. Duke Gardens, Anderson St. and Erwin Rd., Durham. 919-684-3698, gardens.duke.edu.

Birdwatching is a popular hobby for both kids and adults. Learn what makes birds unique and interesting and gain knowledge and skills needed to become a birdwatcher. Earn a birdwatching patch, explore the park habitats, and create bird-friendly items for your home and yard. 9 a.m.-noon. June 24. $10. Lake Crabtree County Park, 1400 Aviation Pkwy., Morrisville. 919-460-3390, www.wakegov.com/parks/lakecrabtree/Pages/default.aspx.

What makes a seed wake up and germinate? How are flowers pollinated and how are fruit formed? This workshop delves into the science of gardening as we journey through a growing season. Discussion and hands-on activities will cover seeds, flowers, fruits, vegetables and the science behind gardening practices. 9:30 a.m.-noon June 25. $30; $28 members. N.C. Botanical Garden, 100 Old Mason Farm Rd., Chapel Hill. 919-962-0522, ncbg.unc.edu/calendar/

Learn about how breaking down that organic material makes great fertilizer for plants; make a starter kit to take home. 9-10 a.m. June 25. $5. Logan Trading Company, 707 Semart Dr., Raleigh. 919-828-5337, logantrd.com.

Enter the land of the little people and create the perfect home for your fairies. Learn all of the basics on building, design, and care of your wee garden. Bring your own container or select one from the store. $25 includes all of the “building materials,” including gravel, activated charcoal, moss or soil that you will need. Plants and garden accessories are extra. Please register online. 2-3:30 p.m. June 26. $25. Garden Supply Co., 1421 Old Apex Rd., Cary. 919-460-7747, gardensupplyco.com.

Don’t be intimidated by carnivorous plants! They’re easy to grow once you know what they need. In this workshop, learn about how to grow pitcher-plants and visit the NCBG carnivorous plant collection and hear of the Garden’s long history with pitcher-plants and their cultivation. Participants create a take-home bog garden that includes a hybrid pitcher-plant, a venus flytrap, and companion plants. 2-4 p.m. July 6. $35; $31 members. N.C. Botanical Garden, 100 Old Mason Farm Rd., Chapel Hill. 919-962-0522, ncbg.unc.edu/calendar/.

This story was originally published June 14, 2016 at 10:00 AM with the headline "Heirloom tomato expert speaking in Raleigh and more upcoming home and garden events."