Master gardeners teach tomato-pruning tips and more

We’re lucky to have an active Buncombe County Master Gardeners organization. Lots of programs and information! And now the group has come up with an e-newsletter chocked full with programming. I’m passing it along here for your information.

“Welcome to the very first edition of the monthly list of Master Gardener activities and programs designed to provide educational opportunities to the residents of Buncombe County.

June 5 - Sat.
Extension Master Gardener Information Table at the City Market, 8:00am - 1:00pm at 161 South Charlotte St., Asheville, NC. 28801. Learn about Master Gardener services and programs. Get free soil test kits. Purchase the Gardeners' Almanac. Stop and visit us as you buy local food from local farmers.

June 12 - Sat.
"Pruning Tomatoes?", by Extension Master Gardeners, 9:30am at Manna Food Bank, rain or shine. Determinate vs. indeterminate selection. Why prune tomatoes? Methods for pruning including the Missouri method. Q & A. There will be a short demo on Upside Down Tomato Growin' with live plant examples, including plant selection, moisture control, and a gimmick(?). Free. To be guaranteed a 6 page handout, please register by Wed., June 9 with Joyce_Plemmons@ncsu.edu or call 255-5522. Location: Manna Food Bank, 627 Swannanoa River Road, Asheville, NC, 28805, across from Municipal Golf Course. Come to the parking lot between warehouse buildings, in the rear. Attendees should bring umbrellas and a sense of humor.

June 12 & 26 - Sat.
Plant Problem Clinics, by Extension Master Gardeners at the WNC Farmers' Market, 11:00am - 2:00pm in the breezeway between the retail buildings. Bring your problem (preferably a fairly large specimen, if a plant) to the experts for help with diagnosis and treatment.

June 12 & 26 - Sat.
Backyard Composting Demonstration, by Extension Master Gardeners at the WNC Farmers' Market, beside Jesse Israel's Garden Center, 11:00am - 2:00pm. Learn how to make Black Gold from yard and kitchen waste. See several composting setups that you can implement in your own backyard or ask questions about your current system. Get a small sample of the product!

June 16 - Wed.
Gardening in the Mountains Series: "Gardening around Black Walnuts", presented by Extension Master Gardeners, Extension Office, 94 Coxe Ave., Asheville, NC. 28801, 10:00am, Free. No registration required.

June 26 - Sat.
Nectar Collector Day @ WNC Nature Center. Day-long event at the WNC Nature Center. The focus is on butterflies and other Nectar Collectors. The Master Gardeners will staff an information table from 10:00am to 4:00pm, give away small plants from the Heirloom Garden and conduct seed planting activities for children. This event marks the opening of the annual butterfly exhibit. Admission fee. For more information, visit http://www.wildwnc.org/events/the-beauty-of-butterflies-exhibit/

July 17 - Sat.
Focus on Flowers: My Grandmother's Garden, The NC Arboretum, 9:00am - 4:00pm. For more information or to register, visit http://www.ncarboretum.org/education/focus-on-flowers/ or call the Arboretum at (828)-665-2492.More about the program

July 21 - Wed.
Gardening in the Mountains Series: "Roses for WNC", presented by Extension Master Gardeners, Extension Office, 94 Coxe Ave., Asheville, NC, 28801, 10:00am. Free. No registration required.”

Master Gardeners Hotline
For answers to your gardening questions, the Extension Master Gardeners Hotline and Office hours for the month of June are: Monday - Thursday 8:30am - 4:30pm and Friday 8:30-am - 12:30pm. Please call 255-5522, or visit the Buncombe County Cooperative Extension office at 94 Coxe Ave., Asheville, NC, 28801.