GARDENING TIP: Sometimes, thirsty squirrels steal tomatoes off the vine and suck out the water. Protect your investment by placing a bowl of fresh water near your tomato plants. Ideally, the squirrels will drink the water and leave your plants alone.

Watch ‘The Pollinators’

Picture
Durhamite Lindsay Warner wants to bring an educational documentary called “The Pollinators” to the Bull City. She went to a website, DemandFilms, to order the movie. Tentatively, the screening will be held at the AMC Southpoint 17 Theatre (The Streets at Southpoint, 6910 Fayetteville Rd) on Wednesday, October 2, 6:30pm. Filmmaker Peter Nelson introduced this new documentary at this year’s Boston Independent Film Festival, and it explores the widespread problem of unexplained die-offs of honeybee colonies and the fate of beekeepers and our food supply. Nelson explains that we’re in the middle of an “environmental crisis that threatens not only our millions of honeybee hives but one out of every three bites of food Americans eat.”

According to DemandFilms’ rules, 50 tickets have to be ordered to “win” the film. It’s reminiscent of crowdfunding: In this case, you claim your seat by ordering your ticket at $13.44. Your credit/debit card won’t be charged until the 50 tickets have been ordered. Click here to watch the trailer, and then click here for more info and to preorder your ticket.

Local garden tour

Picture
I’m happy to introduce a new series where I visit local gardeners and take short tours of their creative spaces. Liz Mahanna is our first, and very gracious, host. Enjoy the YouTube video and let me know if you’d like for the Durham Skywriter to visit your garden (@durhamskywriter on Twitter).

October gardening tips

Picture
Here are a few gardening tips from the Durham County Cooperative Master Gardeners for the month of October:
  • Now’s the time to plant spring-flowering bulbs, including hyacinths, daffodils, and crocuses.
  • Buy some pansies as soon as it starts getting cool. Pansies are very hardy, and some can last throughout the winter.
  • If you’re preparing your garden (or expanding your garden) for the planting of fruits and vegetables next spring, take soil samples and have them analyzed by the NC Department of Agriculture. Do this before late fall; after November 27 you’ll have to pay both for the sending off and analysis of the soil samples.
  • Click here to read the entire article.

NC State’s ‘Extension Gardener’

Picture
Here’s the Fall edition of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension’s online publication, “Extension Gardener”:

Duke Gardens workshops,  tours & shows

Picture
SARAH P DUKE GARDENS, 426 Anderson St, Durham,
919-684-3698, gardens.duke.edu; gardening workshops are held in the Doris Duke Center; call 919-668-1707 or 1708 to reserve your spot. Register online or ask questions by writing to gardenseducation@duke.edu. Here’s the link to this year‘s seminars and workshops (note that parking is free after 7pm):
  • ​Walk on the Wild Side—Thursday, October 3, 11am–noon. Take a tour of the Blomquist Garden of Native Plants; $10, $8 for Duke Gardens members; register online.​​​​​
  • An Herbal Primer: Herb Plants and Garden Design—Tuesday, October 8, 7–9pm; $19, $15.20 for Duke Gardens members; register online. 
  • Fall Tree Ramble—Saturday, October 12, 9:30–11:30am; $10, free for Duke Gardens members.
  • Harvest Festival—Sunday, October 20, 1–4pm; free. Enjoy interactive activities, music, demonstrations, and more.
  • A Festival of Fabulous Mums—Sunday, November 3, noon–5pm; Monday, November 4, 9am–5pm; and Tuesday, November 5, 9am–5pm; free.
  • Walk on the Wild Side—Thursday, November 7, 11am–noon. Take a tour of the Blomquist Garden of Native Plants; $10, $8 for Duke Gardens members; register online.​​​​​​
  • Fall for Orchids Show—Friday, November 8, 1–4pm; Saturday, November 9, 9am–5pm; and Sunday, November 10, 9am–4pm.
  • Walking Tours—Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, 10–11 or 11:30am. One docent (guide) will lead each group of 15. $10 per person (these sell out quickly, so you might want to order a week or two in advance).
  • ​Trolley Tours—Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, 10–11 or 11:30am. Five passengers maximum per trolley, and no pets (except service dogs). $10 per person (these sell out quickly, so you might want to order a week or two in advance).

Digging Durham Seed Library

Picture
A creative partnership of the Durham County Library, SEEDS, the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association, NC Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners, and the Durham Library Foundation has resulted in the Digging Durham Seed Library. Now you have a place to get free seeds to start your garden, including flowers, vegetables, and herbs. The South Regional, East Regional, North Regional, and Southwest Regional libraries have seed libraries. Contact Margaret Anderson at 919-560-8598 or manderson@dconc.gov for more details.


Tell us your success story about planting a garden using seeds from the Digging Durham Seed Library:

Main Library—300 N Roxboro St, 919-560-0100 [closed; under renovation]
South Regional—4505 S Alston Ave, 919-560-7409
East Regional—211 Lick Creek Ln, 919-560-0203
North Regional—221 Milton Rd, 919-560-0231
Southwest Regional—3605 Shannon Rd, 919-560-8590.

Gardening workshops

DURHAM GARDEN CENTER
4536 Hillsborough Rd, 919-384-7526
  • Seed Saving Seminar—Saturday, October 12, 10–11am; free.
  • 2nd Annual Yard Sale—Saturday, October 26, 7–10am; free.
  • Pumpkin Painting—Saturday, October 26, 10–11:30am; free.