Best source of info for new gardener?

My family is moving to Arden this June. We garden in raised boxes here in Pasadena and have enjoyed tomatoes year-round - so things will be different! I'm planning a more extensive garden when we move. Can you recommend the best book and/or class for someone new to the area? Am hoping to get some things in the ground this summer or fall, so would love ideas on planting in July/August. Also planning with my 2 children (4 & 9) who have many ideas for trellises and tunnels and mazes in the garden.

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Permalink Reply by GardenThymeGirl on April 25, 2009 at 1:50pm

Welcome to Arden! There are many sources of help for newcomers. The NC Arboretum, Asheville Botanical gardens and the Bullington Center are just a few great sources. Classes are nominal or free in most cases. AB Tech offers a landscaping course taught by Sylvia Elwyn, who is a very talented local.

As a horticulturist--I own many gardening books and can never have enough. I would find books that are relevant to our area--we are now Zone 7. There are numerous books at Books a Million and Barnes and Noble that offer advice on gardening in our area. Be sure to read the garden section in the Asheville Citizen Times--Polly McDaniel writes very interesting gardening articles. Gardening in the mountains is both challenging and can be very interesting. Good luck to you and I'm off to meet a client.

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Permalink Reply by Polly McDaniel on April 25, 2009 at 2:26pm

Also, the N.C. Cooperative Extension publishes a calendar that has all sorts of garden info specific to Western North Carolina. It contains month-by-month info too, of course, because it's a calendar. It only costs something like $5. It's a good resource.

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Permalink Reply by Kaya on April 25, 2009 at 3:51pm

My favorite source of all kinds of Organic Gardening info has been the Yahoo group: Gardening Organically. I love it! Several members are Master Gardeners. Speaking of which, that would be a good local class as well. Call the Extension office 255-5522 and ask about their Master Gardeners classes.

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Permalink Reply by Michelle Vruwink on May 17, 2009 at 10:06am

A belated thanks for the input. I was in the area this past week to find a rental house. It was great to see things green (all my previous visits were in winter). Will definitely check out the Arboretum as soon as we get there in June.