Nash County Arboretum

05/28/2026

Today was the first in a series of Storytimes in the Gardens at the Nash County Ag Center. Sponsored by the Extension Master Gardener volunteers and 4-H program, each session begins with the reading aloud of an engaging children’s book celebrating farming, plants, insects, and the wonders of nature all around us.

Today’s story focused on the importance of healthy soil in the garden. As Master Gardener volunteer Cathy Wittman read about the different components of soil, children participated in the interactive lesson by holding up picture cards. After feeling the differences between clay, silt, and sandy soil, the children created “edible soil” by adding tasty ingredients representing worms, critters, roots, and other soil life to chocolate pudding.

Next Thursday, June 4, at 10:00 a.m., the story and activities will focus on trees. The free program is geared toward children in grades K–5.

Preregister at go.ncsu.edu/storytime

Behind the Pines Farm
Town of Nashville, NC Town of Nashville Parks and Recreation Explore Nash County

05/27/2026

Get inspired by three dynamic speakers at the 2026 Pollinator Symposium: Backyard to Biodiversity on Saturday, June 27, from 9:00 a.m. until noon at the Nash County Ag Center. Learn how gardeners and homeowners across North Carolina can make a real difference for pollinators, wildlife, and conservation right in their own landscapes.

🌼 Amanda Bratcher — From Backyards to Biomes: How 1.29 Million Pollinators are Changing NC Conservation
Discover how the Great Southeast Pollinator Census has transformed ordinary gardens into important research sites. Amanda will share fascinating local pollinator data, “Fantastic Facts” collected by participants, and ways your community can join this growing conservation movement.

Amanda Bratcher is the horticulture agent with North Carolina Cooperative Extension- Lee County Center and serves as the North Carolina State Coordinator for the Great Southeast Pollinator Census. She holds degrees from North Carolina State University and University of Edinburgh and has studied plants and gardening around the world.

🦋 Dr. Annabel Renwick — Designing a Backyard Wildlife Garden
What plants truly support wildlife in a home landscape? Dr. Renwick will share lessons learned from designing and evaluating a backyard wildlife garden at Sarah P. Duke Gardens. She’ll discuss reliable native plants, practical design ideas, and recommendations especially helpful for beginning gardeners

Dr. Renwick is curator of the Blomquist Garden of Native Plants at Duke Gardens. She holds a PhD in botany and previously worked in agricultural research before becoming a garden designer in the UK and later relocating to North Carolina.

🌳 Basil Camu — From Wasteland to Wonder – Easy Ways We Can Help Heal Earth in the Sub/Urban Landscape
Basil Camu will explore how everyday suburban and urban spaces can become thriving habitats that support biodiversity, climate resilience, and human well-being. His inspiring presentation will challenge the way we think about our landscapes and show how small actions can help restore living systems while reconnecting us with the natural world.

Basil is a board-certified master arborist, author of From Wasteland to Wonder, and founder of Leaf & Limb. His work has been featured in publications including the New York Times and Forbes.

There will also be exhibitors, refreshments, and plenty of opportunities to learn more about pollinators, native plants, bluebirds, composting, and sustainable gardening.

Register at: https://go.ncsu.edu/ncapollinatorsymposium

Town of Nashville, NC Town of Nashville Parks and Recreation Explore Nash County NC State Extension Master Gardener volunteers of Johnston County NC State Extension Master Gardener Volunteers of Wake County Leaf & Limb Wilson Botanical Gardens

05/25/2026

🌿 Storytime programs in the Arboretum gardens are back! 🌿

Sponsored by Nash County 4-H and Extension Master Gardener volunteers, this fun series introduces children to the wonders of nature through books and hands-on activities.

📚 This Thursday, May 28 at 10:00 AM, bring your child (grades K-5) to the Arboretum for a story all about soil!

Soil isn’t just dirt — it plays an important role in keeping our vegetables and flowers healthy and growing strong. After the story, children will explore different types of soil and finish the session by creating “Edible Soil” — a tasty treat they can assemble and enjoy themselves.

We hope to see you there for a morning of learning and fun in the garden! 🌱 Register at go.ncsu.edu/storytime

Town of Nashville Parks and Recreation Town of Nashville, NC Explore Nash County

05/20/2026

STORYTIME.jpg
Attention, families! 🌱📚

Storytimes in the Gardens will begin May 28 and continue weekly through June 25. Each week, Extension Master Gardener volunteers and Nash County 4-H will team up to read an engaging children’s book celebrating farming, plants, insects, and the wonders of nature all around us.

After the read-aloud, children can enjoy fun, hands-on activities in the gardens inspired by the story of the day.

These free programs are geared toward children in Kindergarten through 5th grade.

Pre-registration is encouraged at: go.ncsu.edu/storytime
Town of Nashville Parks and Recreation Town of Nashville, NC Explore Nash County Nash County 4-H Nashville NC Community Information

05/16/2026

For our May garden tour at the Arboretum, Extension Master Gardener volunteer Deb Blish gave a fascinating presentation on the bluebird houses located throughout the grounds. 🐦💙

Bluebirds are very territorial — even with their own kind — so the 25 nesting boxes around the Arboretum must be spaced appropriately, about 100 yards apart.

Thinking about installing a bluebird house in your own landscape? Here are some helpful tips:

• Bluebirds prefer open backyards, grasslands, and parks
• Provide a nearby perch where they can spot insects and other prey
• In summer they eat insects, while in winter they rely heavily on berries, so include berry-producing plants in your landscape
• Mount nesting boxes at least 5 feet high and add a predator guard or baffle system
• Face the house east, north, or northeast, away from prevailing winds
• A proper bluebird house should have a slanted roof, ventilation holes, a 1.5-inch round entrance hole, and a door that opens for cleaning and monitoring

When checking a nest box, approach quietly while singing or humming softly to alert the bird. Tap gently before opening the door slowly, and avoid standing directly in front of the entrance. Boxes should be checked at least once a week for invaders such as other bird species, mice, or wasps.

Why help bluebirds? Bluebirds naturally nest in cavities found in dead trees and fence posts, but habitat loss from development and land clearing has reduced these nesting opportunities. Invasive species like European starlings and House sparrows also compete aggressively for nesting space, often driving bluebirds away.

Providing safe nesting boxes is one simple way we can help support these beautiful native birds. 💙

If you attend the Pollinator Symposium on June 27, you can talk with bluebird experts and purchase a nesting box!

Town of Nashville Parks and Recreation Town of Nashville, NC Explore Nash County

https://www.nabluebirdsociety.org/PDF/NABSFactsheetMonitoring.pdf

https://wake.ces.ncsu.edu/news/make-room-for-bluebirds/

05/13/2026

🦋 🐛

Did you know is home to 175+ species of butterflies? 🦋

If you aren't seeing them in your garden, you might be missing a few key ingredients. This 2026 butterfly guide from NC State Extension breaks down the science of attracting these vibrant pollinators to your home ➡️ go.ncsu.edu/butterflies

(OR content.ces.ncsu.edu/butterflies-in-your-backyard)

📸 credits: A Monarch caterpillar (top) feeds on the foliage of its host plant, milkweed, before changing into an adult (bottom). Top photo by Thomas G. Barnes, University of Kentucky. Bottom photo by Chris Moorman.

05/12/2026

The Extension Master Gardeners had a blast representing the Nash County Arboretum in the Blooming Festival parade last Saturday! 🌸🌿

Both the Master Gardener program and the Arboretum are celebrating 25 years of growth, learning, and community impact, so our parade decorations proudly reflected this special milestone. Thank you to everyone who cheered us on and helped celebrate 25 blooming years in Nash County! 🎉🚜🌼
Town of Nashville, NC Town of Nashville Parks and Recreation Explore Nash County

05/11/2026

Registration is now open for the 2026 Extension Master Gardener Pollinator Symposium: Backyard to Biodiversity on Saturday, June 27, from 9:00 a.m. until noon 🌼🐝

go.ncsu.edu/ncapollinatorsymposium

Learn from three inspiring speakers how to introduce biodiversity into your landscape and create welcoming habitat for pollinators and wildlife.

Enjoy refreshments, loads of door prizes, and visits with exhibitors sharing information about beekeeping, composting, and attracting bluebirds to your yard.

Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just getting started, you’ll leave with ideas and inspiration to help your landscape thrive naturally.
Town of Nashville, NC Town of Nashville Parks and Recreation Explore Nash County NC State Extension Master Gardener volunteers of Johnston County