Dare County Master Gardeners offering free in-person and virtual gardening programs
Are you interested in gardening? Here’s a way to make your winter blues go away! Start planning your spring garden now with the Winter Library Garden Series presented by the North Carolina Cooperative Extension’s Dare County Master Gardeners in conjunction with the Dare County Library.
This year, all programs will take place on Wednesdays at 11 a.m. and will be offered in person at the Kill Devil Hills Library as well as virtually. Each presentation will last approximately one hour, and participants can choose to attend one or all of the programs that are of interest to them. For 2023, we hope you will join us for many brand-new, never-before-offered programs as well as some of our most popular topics from years past.
Please note: Pre-registration is required whether you plan to attend in person or virtually.
“Plants that Survive & Thrive on the Outer Banks” – 11 a.m. on Wednesday, January 18, 2023
The 2023 Winter Garden Series will kick off with “Plants that Survive & Thrive on the Outer Banks,” which covers a familiar topic; however, this year the program will feature all-new plant selections. The Dare County Master Gardeners have chosen plants that do well in the tough conditions of the Outer Banks, including Impatiens, Black-eyed Susans, Shasta Daisies, Little Bluestems, Cast Iron Plants, Roses of Sharon and Hollywood Junipers. Join us for “Plants that Survive & Thrive on the Outer Banks” at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, January 18, 2023.
“Propagation – Start with a Seed” – 11 a.m. on Wednesday, February 8, 2023
The basics and more for successfully starting seeds in your home and then having them flourish will be covered in an all-new program: “Propagation – Start with a Seed.” Join us in person or virtually at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, February 8, 2023.
“Nonnative Invasive Plants – Know Before You Grow!” – 11 a.m. on Wednesday, February 22, 2023
We’re excited to present another brand-new, never-before-offered program: “Nonnative Invasive Plants – Know Before You Grow!” There are many nonnative plants that do well here on the Outer Banks, but there are a few that have become very invasive and threaten our native plants. This program will be offered at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, February 22, 2023.
“OBX’Scaping” – 11 a.m. on Wednesday, March 8, 2023
The all-new “OBX’scaping” program will cover a combination of methods that will help reduce water use and enhance your landscape. As gardeners on the Outer Banks, we are challenged by salt-laden winds, sandy soil, heat and humidity, not to mention intense coastal storms. “OBX’scaping” will be presented at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, March 8, 2023.
“Drought-Tolerant Plants”
11 a.m. on Wednesday, March 22, 2023*
The “Drought-Tolerant Plants” program will present information on low-maintenance plants that require little water and will also discuss how they are a great addition to any landscape – especially here on the Outer Banks! This program provides information about a number of plants that are considered to be drought-tolerant and will add to any landscape. Please join us for “Drought-Tolerant Plants” at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, March 22, 2023.
“Firescaping for Your Home” – 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 12, 2023
The 2023 Winter Garden Series will wrap up with another brand-new program, “Firescaping for Your Home.” Fire is a natural part of Southeastern landscapes and will always occur. It is not a matter of if a wildfire will occur – it is a matter of when. Can a homeowner or community be prepared when it does? Learn more about what homeowners can do to reduce one’s fire risk. “Firescaping for Your Home” will be presented at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 12, 2023.
All of these presentations are provided courtesy of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension’s Dare County Master Gardeners Speakers Bureau. Individuals who are planning to participate must pre-register to attend these virtual programs by clicking here.
For virtual attendees, the program link will be emailed out to registrants the day before the program is scheduled to take place. Please do not share the link with others.
For more information about the 2023 Winter Garden Series, please call the Kill Devil Hills Library at 252-441-4331, the Hatteras Library at 252-986-2385 or the Manteo Library at 252-473-2372. You can also stop by your local Dare County Library branch to pick up a program brochure.
To view the presentation schedule and learn more about the Dare County Master Gardeners program, click here.
