Saturday, September 29, 2012

FALL & WINTER CARE FOR ROSES

Join the Master Gardeners
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4th
10:00 - 11:00 AM

FREE WALKING TOUR OF THE
PITT COUNTY ARBORETUM

They will be demonstrating what needs to be done now with your roses so they survive and thrive through the winter months to look gorgeous again come spring!

Our Rose Garden at the Arboretum is looking Fall Fabulous with most of the roses in full bloom.  Bring your camera for some beautiful photos.  You also will see our fall blooming perennials and the beginnings of fall color in our deciduous trees and shrubs.



Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Fall Leaf Color

Today the Master Gardeners were busy with their monthly 'Work Day' at the Arboretum.  One of their tasks was raking up leaves that had already fallen.  With the cooler days we've been having, it seems that summer is over and fall has begun just like the calendar says.  If you are one that longs for more yellow, orange, red and purple leaf color in your landscape, it is the perfect time to head out to the Arboretum to see our trees and shrubs and find the color you are looking for.  We have a variety of deciduous trees and shrubs to view over the next several weeks as they change colors.

Here is a great site to refer to as it will monitor the fall colors for you:  

P.S.  What do we do with our fallen leaves?  They go right into our compost bin behind the herb garden.  

Thursday, September 20, 2012

WALKING TOUR OF ARBORETUM

On Sunday, September 23rd starting at 4:00 PM  Master Gardeners will be leading a free Walking Tour. The tour will focus on "Gardening You Can Do" which is what the Pitt County Arboretum is all about.  We grow and test plants from containers, fruits, vegetables, herbs, perennials, wildflowers, roses, shade plants, plants for wet sites, and shrubs and trees of all sizes.

Come out and see the beginning signs of fall and enjoy a leisurely Sunday stroll
around some beautiful gardens.  Bring your gardening questions.
Muhlenbergia capillaris
Pink Muhly Grass is always a fall showstopper.
For a preview of what you'll see, click here to view our Visitors Guide
Call 252-902-1709 if you have questions.
Click here for the Arboretum/AgCenter MAP at 403 Government Circle, Greenville.

Friday, September 14, 2012

Muscadine Grape Harvest

The Master Gardener Volunteers have been busy harvesting our muscadine grapes over the past 3 weeks.  To date, 116 pounds of grapes have been picked and donated to the local food bank.

In our Small Fruit Section at the Arboretum we are growing 4 varieties of muscadines:
*Nesbitts - a black colored grape 
*Carlos - bronze colored and the leading variety grown in NC
*Higgins - pink/bronze colored
*Hunt - dark purple colored

If you are considering growing grapes, click here for help:  MUSCADINES

Sunday, September 9, 2012

ONION CHIVES

Allium schoeonoprasum - Onion chives

You will find onion chives in our Herb Garden, but they also would be appropriate in our Perennial Border (as they are perennials) or in our Butterfly Garden (as the flowers attract many pollinators).   As they grow throughout the year, you can snip off the green shoots to use in your recipes.  Should you let them flower, you can even eat them.  Here is a fact sheet on growing these in your garden:  CHIVES