February 2020 Horticulture News

Franklin Friends of Horticulture

Franklin Friends of Horticulture is a home gardening program offered by N.C. Cooperative Extension of Franklin County that will feature monthly classes, as well as offsite field trips to area points of interest. Based on practical information you can trust, the program is designed for anyone wishing to learn more about environmentally sustainable, science-based gardening. Topics that will be covered include building healthy soils, blueberry & small fruit production, starting vegetables & flowers from safe, sustainable lawn care practices, plant identification, and many more! Field trips will also be offered to regional gardening points of interest. You can choose which classes/field trips you would like to attend.

Classes will require a registration fee. Classes will be taught by Colby Griffin, Extension Horticulture Agent, Franklin County, NC State Extension specialists, and will take place at N.C. Cooperative Extension, Franklin County Center, in the annex. Classes may also take place at local farms for hands-on demonstrations.

Classes will take place on the following dates: Feb. 13, March 12, March 19, April 2, April 16, June 4, July 9, Aug. 13, Sept. 10.

For information, contact Colby Griffin, colby_griffin@ncsu.edu or 919-496-3344.

Online Non-Credit Courses:

NC State University and Longwood Gardens Partnership

Department of Horticultural Science is partnering with Longwood Gardens to provide a fully-online introduction to plant identification. These courses will introduce you to the language of botany, plants with global popularity, a few special plants from breeding programs at top horticulture institutions, and cultivation information for key plant species. By learning the fundamental language of botany, testing it with games, and being exposed to a carefully selected cast of plants that exhibit key identification features, participants will be ready to deduce mystery plants anywhere in the world!

Visit website >>

Plants Do That! National Institute for Consumer Horticulture

A series of infographics developed by the National Initiative for Consumer Horticulture (NICH) highlights the importance of landscape plants in conserving and protecting the environment.

Plants Do That for Cities and Suburbs >>

Plants Do That for Pollinators >>

Plants DoThat for Soil Health >>

Plants DoThat for Water >>

Plants Do That to Reduce Wildfire Risk