Learn about the ruby-throated hummingbird and more upcoming home and garden events

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

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Consider the performance of your home landscape. Would you describe it as a fit, functional work of art that reflects your lifestyle and encourages outdoor activity? If not, join Raleigh-based landscape designer Preston Montague for a design course series that will help you revise and reboot your outdoor space. 1-3 p.m. Aug. 6. $40; $30 members. JC Raulston Arboretum, 4415 Beryl Road, Raleigh. 919-515-3132, jcra.ncsu.edu/.

The process of creating chainmaille involves using two pairs of pliers (one in each hand), wielding them like a crab, and opening and closing split rings to create intricate patterns. The process is simple and addictive, although people with arthritis of other hand sensitivities may have difficulty. Take one workshop or take them all! Instructor Erin Hathaway 2:30-4:30 p.m. Aug. 6. $18 per workshop; materials fee range from $5-8. Durham Arts Council, 120 Morris Street, Durham. 919-560-2787, durhamarts.org.

Subjects included in this class are: fun with sticks, chenille stems, flags, fun at the beach, and rockin’ fun. Noon-2 p.m. Aug. 8-12. $55-$60. Nash Arts Center, 100 E. Washington St., Nashville. 252-459-4734, nasharts.org.

Learn how to make the most of your summer harvest and eat tasty treats from the garden. 11 a.m. August 11. $10. The Garden Hut, 1004 Old Honeycutt Rd., Fuquay-Varina. 919-552-0590.

Mini Camps are designed to fill the time right after and right before the start of school for year-round and traditional school students. Students are divided into age appropriate groups and participate in both visual and performing arts activities that are inspired by a weekly theme. Register by the week or by the day. 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Aug. 8-12, 15-19. $170-$240 weekly; $38-$55 daily. Durham Arts Council, 120 Morris Street, Durham. 919-560-2787, durhamarts.org.

A variety of exhibits and workshops will be offered both inside and outside the Renaissance Centre featuring an array of local home improvement experts. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Aug. 13-14. Free. Wake Forest Renaissance Centre, 405 Brooks St. South, Wake Forest. 919-435-9560

Learn about NC’s only native hummingbird, the Ruby-Throat. Meet local Ruby-throated Hummingbirds and witness up-close how researchers trap, handle, and band these tiny birds for data recording. Teacher will share stories about the fascinating lives of hummingbirds and the importance of providing habitat in your landscape, including how to choose a feeder and plants for nectar. Adopt a hummingbird for release ($20 day of the event) and support this important research. 1-5 p.m. Aug. 14. $18; $16 members. N.C. Botanical Garden, 100 Old Mason Farm Rd., Chapel Hill. 919-962-0522, ncbg.unc.edu/calendar/

Bats are the world’s only flying mammals, and having wings is only one of the adaptations that make them unique. Discover just how special bats are during this evening program. 8 -10 p.m. Aug. 19. $1. Lake Crabtree County Park, 1400 Aviation Pkwy., Morrisville. 919-460-3390, www.wakegov.com/parks/lakecrabtree/Pages/default.aspx.

Hot encaustic is an intoxicating medium that smells like honey and falls somewhere between painting and sculpture. This affordable workshop includes 2 ready-to-hang canvases and unlimited encaustic medium. Through guided demonstrations, you’ll explore layer building techniques using different fusing tools to create unique surfaces. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Aug. 20. $75 per day plus $40 materials. Durham Arts Council, 120 Morris Street, Durham. 919-560-2787, durhamarts.org.

Explore exciting uses of shape, line, and pattern in the Modern and Contemporary Galleries, and then experiment with printmaking techniques to create your own graphic work. 10 a.m. Aug. 20. $8; $5 memebrs. N.C. Museum of Art, 2110 Blue Ridge Rd., Raleigh. 919-839-6262, ncartmuseum.org.

Fall is peak season for mushroom foraging. Novices can learn to ID the dozen most delicious mushrooms with professional forager and columnist Frank Hyman. These are also the easiest mushrooms to identify: chanterelles, morels, chicken-of-the-woods and others. This slideshow program covers four seasons’ worth of wild mushrooms. Class includes handout, plenty of Q&A time, plenty of parking but limited seating. 2-4 p.m. Aug. 20. $30. Reserve your space via Paypal at the “classes” page in frankhyman.com, BW&A Books (downstairs), 1006-A Lamond Ave., Durham, 919-824-2239

With relatively little extra effort and expense, your garden can be transformed into a paradise for bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators. This workshop introduces you to common pollinators and strategies for bringing them to your garden. Participants learn the steps necessary to analyze their garden site, choose appropriate plants, and maintain a pollinator garden. A plant list, step-by step instructions, and other resources are included. 1-4 p.m. Aug. 23. $36; $32 members. N.C. Botanical Garden, 100 Old Mason Farm Rd., Chapel Hill. 919-962-0522, ncbg.unc.edu/calendar/

This story was originally published August 4, 2016 at 3:06 PM with the headline "Learn about the ruby-throated hummingbird and more upcoming home and garden events."