New & Returning Children & Family Programs

By Kate Blakely

This time of year, inchworms seem to dropping from trees everywhere you look. Do they make you exclaim with excitement or shiver with fear? In a new class for kids, “Heroes and Villains,” we will learn about the ways these critters and more interact in nature.

“Heroes and Villains” is one of several exciting classes in the Children and Family series this spring. Most classes are new, but we will repeat some favorites, says Kavanah Anderson, education and programs coordinator. The topics will rotate seasonally.

When you are surprised by a spider, do you stand your ground or does it send you running? The argiope garden spider can be a formidable sight, with its size, striking yellow and black pattern, and zig-zag web. Beetles, earthworms, ticks, centipedes—these creatures all play a role in the natural world. Do you ever wonder what relationships they have with each other? Do they help or hurt each other? Come to “Heroes and Villains” and find out. The class is on Wednesday, April 25, from 2:30-4 p.m. It's for children ages 9-11.

A favorite from last year is “Drip Drop: Be a Raindrop for a Day,” coming up Saturday, April 28, at 10-11:30 a.m., for ages 7-9. As they say, April showers bring May flowers. From showers to flowers, water makes an incredible journey. Children can join us for a trip around the Gardens as we learn about the water cycle. We’ll study how and where rainwater travels, how gravity affects water’s journey, and how water drains through different types of soil. We’ll also conduct scientific experiments to study water’s movements.

Participants will learn how to make “rain in a bag,” a miniature water cycle they can take home with them. So get your imagination running, and come on out to the Gardens. We’ll all be raindrops for the day! Please don’t forget to register in advance.

Caregivers, make sure to come along for our family classes. We ask adult chaperones to accompany our youngest Gardens visitors. There’s an important reason behind this.

“One of the main motivations in our request for adult participation is to help caregivers develop a relationship with nature alongside their children so that they’re exploring nature together,” Anderson says. “Our hope is that this relationship continues beyond their time in the Gardens.”

All Children and Family programs are $6, or $5 for Gardens members. To register, please call 919-668-1707.

To read about all our educational offerings for adults and children, please see our website. To be added to our email list for classes and events, please email us with a request.

Duke Gardens events: Jan.-Aug. 2012

Sarah P. Duke Gardens’ new education guide is now online. The PDF includes class descriptions, instructor information, meeting times/locations and fees for all classes between January and August 2012.

Below is a quick rundown of the season’s offerings, including page numbers where you can find more information. Please also see our education/events page with links to different types of classes and events and information about how to register.

As always, we welcome your feedback and suggestions for our enrichment programs. We hope to see you here soon!

Children and Family Classes

Mysteries of Magnetism (Feb. 25) – pg. 6

Nature’s Kazoos (March 10) – pg. 5 (canceled)

Nature Storytime: Free Drop-in Book Club (March 15, April 7, May 5, May 17, June 2, and June 21) – pg. 7

Wind World (March 24) – pg. 5

Nature Ranger Cart: Free Drop-in Activities (Fridays, April, May, and June) – pg. 7

Nature for Sprouts (Fridays, April 6-27 or May 4-25) – pg. 7

Feathered Friends (April 7) – pg. 5

Nature for Sprouts (Fridays, April 6-27 or May 4-25) – pg. 4

Nature Adventures Camp: CAMP OUT! (April 9-13) – pg. 8

Spring Family Fun: Free Drop-in Activities (April 15 & 29, May 6 & 20) – pg. 7

Heroes and Villains (April 25) – pg. 6

Drip Drop: Be a Raindrop for a Day (April 28) – pg. 5

Seed and Soil Olympics (May 5) – pg. 6

Awesome Amoebas (May 26) – pg. 6

Paperhand Puppet Intervention (June 10) – pg. 7. Canceled by the artists. Sorry.

Nature Adventures Camp: Become a Scientist (June 11-15) – pg. 8

Nature Adventures Camp: Treasure Hunters (June 18-22) – pg. 8

Nature Adventures Camp: Science of the Sun (June 18-22) – pg. 8

Nature Adventures Camp: Animal Homes (June 25-29) – pg. 9

Nature Adventures Camp: Animals in the Garden (June 25-29) – pg. 9

Nature Adventures Camp: Treasure Hunters 2 (July 9-13) – pg. 9

Nature Adventures Camp: Time Travelers (July 9-13) – pg. 9

Nature Adventures Camp: Drawing on Nature (Aug. 6-10 and/or Aug. 13-17) – pg. 9

Gardening and Horticulture

Ikebana International club (2nd Monday monthly) – pg. 24

Triangle Orchid Society (2nd Monday monthly) – pg. 24

Durham Garden Forum: “A Garden of Moss” (Jan. 17) – pg. 18

Planting the Landscape: Design II (3 Tuesdays, Jan. 17-31) – pg. 14

Plants of Distinction: Winter/Spring (Jan. 18, March 7, May 16, July 18) – pg. 14

Vegetable Gardening Through the Year (3 Thursdays, Jan. 19-Feb. 2; March 22-April 5) – pg. 15

Gardening with Herbs (Jan. 22; part of the Master Gardeners’ Extension Gardener Series) – pg. 19
Beekeeping for Beginners (2 Saturdays, Feb. 4-11) – pg. 15

Durham Garden Forum: “Great Perennials for the Garden Bed” (Feb. 21) – pg. 18

Native Plants in our Gardens (Feb. 26; part of the Master Gardeners’ Extension Gardener Series) – pg. 19

Spring Flower Walk in the Arboretum (March 9 and/or April 13) – pg. 13

Container Gardening (March 18; part of the Master Gardeners’ Extension Gardener Series) – pg. 19

Durham Garden Forum: “Herb Gardening” (March 20) – pg. 18

Historic Gardens Color Walk (April 5 and/or May 3) – pg. 13

Lecture: "Across the Pond: A Celebration of 300 Years of Anglo-American Gardening" (April 5) – pg. 16

Spring Pruning (April 7) – pg. 16

Durham Garden Forum: “Vegetables as Ornament” (April 17) – pg. 18

Durham Garden Forum: “Introduction to Plant Propagation” (May 15) – pg. 18

Japanese Gardens in the U.S.: Growing from Cultural Outreach to Community Restoration (May 15, 7-9 p.m.; newly added program).

Durham Garden Forum: “Garden Advice Fair” (July 17) – pg. 18

Durham Garden Forum: “Creating New Plants” (June 19) – pg. 18

Field Trips

Early Spring Jewels: Field Studies (March 31) – pg. 28

Local Flora: Spring (4 Saturdays, April 7, 14, 28, May 5) – pg. 29

Wildflowers and Waterfalls (May 11-13) – pg. 20

Hemlock Bluff (June 3) – pg. 21

Botanical Art and Craft

Moss Gardens in a Dish (Jan. 21) – pg. 25

Creating Your Own Bonsai Plant (Feb. 18) – pg. 25

Designing with Flowers (6 Saturdays, Feb. 25-March 31) – pg. 26

Spring Flower Basket (April 5) – pg. 25

Creativity and Choice: Floral Design Studio (canceled) – pg. 26

Terrarium (June 9) – pg. 26

Natural History

Walk on the Wild Side (Jan. 5, Feb. 2, March 1, April 5, May 3, June 7, July 5, Aug. 2) – pg. 13

Winter Botany (2 Saturdays, Jan. 21-28) – pg. 27

Human Impact on the Environment: The Ecology of Change (4 Wednesdays, Feb. 8-29) – pg. 27

Basic Botany and Plant Growth (4 Thursdays, Feb. 9-March 1) – pg. 28

Water: The Ecology of Change (4 Tuesdays, Feb. 21-March 13) – pg. 28

Early Spring Jewels: Field Studies (March 31) – pg. 28

Local Flora: Spring (4 Saturdays, April 7, 14, 28, May 5) – pg. 29

Bird Walks (April 7 & 28) – pg. 29

Nature Photography

Durham Photography Club (2nd Monday monthly) – pg. 24 (info on their Facebook page)

Digital Photography: Understanding Digital Camera, Camera to Computer & Photo Editing (3 Wednesdays, Jan. 18-Feb. 1) – pg. 31

Nature Photography Winter Workshop (Jan 28-29) – pg. 30

Introduction to Nature Photography (Feb. 10-12) – pg. 31

Photoshop for the Nature Photographer (3 Saturdays, Feb. 11-25) – pg. 31

Learn from the Masters (3 Saturdays, March 31-April 14) – pg. 32

Photographing Plants (2 Wednesdays, May 16 & 23, and Saturday, May 19) – pg. 32

Composition and Light (2 Thursdays, June 14 & 21, and Saturday, June 16) – pg. 32

Image Improvement Before Post-Processing (Saturday, June 23) – pg. 33

Photographing North Carolina (July 12, 7-9 p.m.; newly added program)

Japanese Tea Gatherings

First Voice of Spring Tea (Friday, Feb. 24) – pg. 34

St. Patrick’s Day Tea (Saturday, March 17) – pg. 34

Cherry Blossom Festival (Sunday, March 25) – pg. 34

Spring Blossoms Tea (Friday, April 13) – pg. 34

Children’s Day Tea (Saturday, May 5) – pg. 34

Special Events

Swing at the Gardens - swing dance (Saturday, Feb. 11)

Spring Plant Sale (Saturday, March 31, 8 a.m.-noon; Gardens member pre-sale, March 30)

Duke Performances' Music in the Gardens summer series (more info)

Class preview: Herbs from the Garden

Learn about tansy and other herbs
in Duke Gardens' Herbs from the Garden class

By Crystal Cotton

A thriving herb garden that produces sugar, spice and everything nice needs some basic planning and care. Horticulturist Jan Watson has some sage advice for beginners, as well as those seeking to expand their herb palette.

The dirt

The best way to have prosperous herbs is by cultivating rich soil, says Jan Watson, a horticulturist at Duke Gardens.

“Work your soil up a little bit, get some nice soil in there, and the herbs will reward you a hundred-fold,” says Watson.

Tilling your soil or adding compost to it will help your herbs tremendously.

What to plant?

“The herbs that are the best are the ones that you find uses for,” says Watson. You may want herbs because of their scent, their taste or even for dyes. But you can also get creative with garden design by picking shapes, colors and textures that go together interestingly.

“You can use tansy, and a specific kind called Tanacetum ‘Isla Gold’ would be gorgeous,” says Watson. “Allium fistulosum, fennel and dill would be awesome. Fennel and dill have a really furry texture. If you mix that with the Allium fistulosum, which is very rigid and onion-like, it’d be a good combination because the textures are so different.”

When to plant & water?

Most people plant their herbs in early spring. But it’s not too late to plant them now, Watson says.

“June is a perfect time to plant,” she says. “You’ve just got to remember to water because they’re not established yet. So even though they’ll be drought-tolerant later, when you first put them in, you obviously have to water them.”

But avoid over-watering, she notes, particularly with rosemary and lavender, which are sensitive to too much water.

Sun or shade?

Most herbs want full sun, though some prefer a little bit of shade.
“Parsleys, basils, cilantro, dill—that’s all going to want some afternoon shade,” says Watson. “Otherwise, it’s going to ‘bolt’—it goes to seed too fast.”

When and how much to cut?

Try to avoid over-cutting, Watson says. And if they’re perennial herbs, don’t cut them back too late in the season. A good rule of thumb is to never cut off more than a third of an herb at a time, and only a little bit more as winter approaches. Cutting them too severely before winter will expose the stems to cold temperatures and may cause dieback.

Think outside of the pot

If you want to grow something different, try Stevia rebaudiana, which has become popular as a sugar substitute. You can add it most recipes that would otherwise call for sugar. But use less, because it’s more concentrated.

You can also try Cryptotaenia japonica, commonly known as Japanese parsley. This is a great substitute for regular flat-leaf parsley and it can be used in any dish that normally calls for parsley, such as soup and spaghetti. Since it’s a little stronger than flat-leaf parsley, you don’t have to use as much.

If you’re more interested in benefiting wildlife, fennel –which comes in black or the traditional green—would be a perfect herb to plant.

“It attracts swallowtail caterpillars. They eat the foliage and they actually lay their eggs on it. So there’s a benefit right there,” says Watson. “Right now in my fennel at home, there are baby praying mantises hiding amongst the foliage of the fennel. So for the wildlife aspect, it’s just so beneficial to the insects.”

Don’t like bugs? Why not plant one fennel for the caterpillars and one for yourself? The same with parsley. And remember, caterpillars become butterflies. So if you like butterflies, this is a way to bring more of them into your garden.

Herbal inspiration

For more ideas about what to plant, you can always visit Duke Gardens. There are several herbs growing at the bottom of the Terraces on the café side, and even in the Perennial Border that leads from the Rose Garden to the pergola. These include flat-leaf parsley, curly leaf parsley, Japanese parsley, chives, fennel, dill, marjoram, oregano, thyme and many others.

If you’d like to learn more, consider taking Watson’s class “Herbs from the Garden” on June 17 from 2 to 4 p.m. For information, call Duke Gardens’ registrar at 919-668-1707, email slsmith@duke.edu or go to gardens.duke.edu to read more.

Sarah P. Duke Gardens creates and nurtures an environment in the heart of Duke University for learning, inspiration and enjoyment through excellence in horticulture. The Gardens is at 420 Anderson St.

Crystal Cotton is a junior at N.C. Central University and a communications intern at Duke Gardens.

Duke Gardens: 2011 events schedule

(Update 6/1/11: Please see our fall/winter 2011 schedule on this blog post)

Sarah P. Duke Gardens’ new education guide is now online. The PDF includes class descriptions, instructor information, meeting times/locations and fees for all classes between January 1 and June 30, 2011, plus summer camp.

Below is a quick rundown of the season’s offerings, including page numbers where you can find more information in our full guide.

(*4/14/11 update: for those seeking information about our outdoor movie series Movies in the Gardens at Twilight, we'll have 2011 information soon. But the theme is animation and the films will be on the four Thursdays in August. We'll also have a special showing of "Play Again," a documentary about the consequences of a childhood removed from nature, on Sept. 15, in partnership with Duke's Nicholas School of the Environment. All films are free and for all ages.)

Remember, if you join Friends of Duke Gardens, you'll get a discount on all classes, among other perks. Duke faculty, staff & students also get the Friends rate.

To register, please e-mail Jan Little or call 668-5309. You can also mail our registration form to Jan Little, Sarah P. Duke Gardens, Box 90341, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708-0341.

Gardening and Horticulture

· Maintaining the Land: Landscape Maintenance and Management (Jan. 9; part of the Master Gardeners’ Extension Gardener Series)—pg. 7
· Durham Garden Forum: container vegetable gardens (Jan. 18)—pg. 9
· Planting the Landscape: Design II (3-class course, Jan. 20-Feb. 3)—pg. 2
· Beyond the Surface: Soil Demystified, with author William Cullina (Feb. 12)—pg. 2
· The Botany of Design, with William Cullina (Feb. 12)—pg. 3
· Durham Garden Forum: deer-resistant plants (Feb. 15)—pg. 9 (special free admission)
· Permaculture (Feb. 20; part of the Master Gardeners’ Extension Gardener Series)—pg. 7
· Rose Care and Pruning (Feb. 24)—pg. 6
· Spring Pruning (March 10)—pg. 3
· Durham Garden Forum: summer and fall bulbs (March 15)—pg. 9
· Cool Perennials for Cool Places (March 20; part of the Master Gardeners’ Extension Gardener Series)—pg. 7
· Season-Long Bloom (April 5)—pg. 3
· The Founding Gardeners: The Revolutionary Generation, Nature and the Shaping of the American Nation, with author Andrea Wulf (April 14)—pg. 4 (Read more here)
· Landscape Plants for N.C. Gardens: Spring (4-class course, April 14-May 5)—pg. 5
· J.C. Raulston Arboretum Tour (April 17)—pg. 8
· Durham Garden Forum: tropical trends (April 19)—pg. 9
· Spring Plant Sale (April 30). More info.
· Durham Garden Forum: making the grade (May 17)—pg. 9
· Montrose Gardens Tour (May 20)—pg. 9
· Landscape Plants for N.C. Gardens: Summer (4-class course, June 2-23)—pg. 5
· Basic Botany and Plant Growth (4-class course, June 4-25)—pg. 5
· Herbs from the Garden (June 17)—pg. 8
· Durham Garden Forum: container gardening (June 21)—pg. 9

Botanical Art and Craft

· Ikebana Demonstration (Feb. 23)—pg. 10
· Spring Flower Basket (April 21)—pg. 10
· Floral Design for Fun (6-class course, April 22-May 27)—pg. 10
· Drawing from Nature (5-class course, April 28-May 26)—pg. 11
· Herb Planter (May 5)—pg. 11
· Create a Living Carpet: Sedums and Succulents (May 19)—pg. 11
· Buy, Draw, Eat (June 2)—pg 11
· Floral Design II (4-class course, June 3-24)—pg. 10

Natural History

· Walk on the Wild Side (Blomquist tour; 1st Thursdays, Jan. 6, Feb. 3, March 3, April 7, May 5, or June 2)—pg. 17
· Winter Botany (2-class course, Jan. 23 and 30)—pg 12
· Geology: The Ecology of Change (3-class course, Feb. 9-March 9)—pg. 13
· UNC Herbarium Tour (Feb. 26)—pg. 13
· Duke Herbarium Tour (March 4)—pg. 13
· Early Spring Jewels: Field Studies Trip (March 27)—pg. 16
· Herp Hunt: Field Studies Trip (April 2)—pg. 16
· Local Flora: Spring (4-class course, April 2-May 14)—pg. 16
· Bird Walks (April 9 or April 30)—pg. 17
· Drawing from Nature (5-class course, April 28-May 26)—pg. 17

Nature Photography

· Digital Photography: Understanding Digital Camera, Camera to Computer & Photo Editing (beginner level; 3-class course, Jan. 20-Feb. 3)—pg. 18
· Photoshop for the Nature Photographer - *canceled* - (3-class course, Feb. 11-25)—pg. 19
· The Impact of Nature Photography (3-class course, Feb. 22-March 8)—pg. 19
· Spring Awakening: Close-up Strategies (March 26)—pg. 19
· Intro to Nature Photography (2-class course, April 26 & May 3)—pg. 20
· Photographing Plants (2-class course, May 11 & 18)—pg. 20
· Improving Photo Quality (May 21 & 22)—pg. 20

Japanese Tea Gatherings

· First Voice of Spring Tea (Feb. 18)—pg. 21
· Dolls Festival Tea (March 5)—pg. 21
· Cherry Blossom Festival (April 3)—pg. 21
· Spring Blossoms Tea (April 22)—pg. 21
· Boys’ Day Tea (May 6)—pg. 21
· Mother’s Day / Children’s Day Tea (May 7)—pg. 21

Tours and Field Trips

· Walk on the Wild Side (Blomquist tour; 1st Thursdays, Jan. 6, Feb. 3, March 3, April 7, May 5, June 2)—pg. 17
· UNC Herbarium Tour (Feb. 26)—pg. 13
· Duke Herbarium Tour (March 4)—pg. 13
· Spring Flower Walk in the Arboretum (March 11 or April 8)—pg. 6
· Early Spring Jewels: Field Studies Trip (March 27)—pg. 16
· Herp Hunt: Field Studies Trip (April 2)—pg. 16
· Historic Gardens Color Walk (April 7 or May 12)—pg. 6
· Bird Walks (April 9 or April 30)—pg. 17
· J.C. Raulston Arboretum Tour (April 17)—pg. 8
· Montrose Gardens Tour (May 20)—pg. 9
· Gardens of the Doris Duke Center (May 27 or June 24)—pg. 8

Children and Family Programs

· Nature for Sprouts (Feb. 4, 11, 18, or 25)—pg. 24
· Nature Story Time (March 12)—pg. 24
· Arts in the Garden: Duke’s Hoof ‘n’ Horn troupe (March 26)—pg. 24
· Nature Ranger Cart (free drop-in activities; Friday mornings in April and May)—pg. 26
· Nature for Sprouts (April 8, 15, 22, or 29)—pg. 24
· Nature Story Time (April 9)—pg. 24
· Sunday Science (free drop-in activities; April 17, 24, May 1, 8, May 15 canceled, May 22)—pg. 26
· Nature Story Time (May 14)—pg. 24 - CANCELED.
· Arts in the Garden: Paperhand Puppet Intervention (May 28)—pg. 24
· Spring Family Fun Day (free festival; May 28)—pg. 26. Info here.
· Nature Adventures Camp: Animals in the Garden (for ages 8-11; June 20-24)—pg. 25 ( (June 13-17 is canceled)
· Nature Adventures Camp: Animal Homes (for ages 6 & 7; June 27-July 1)—pg. 25
· Nature Adventures Camp: Drawing on Nature (for ages 12 & 13; July 11-15. Sorry, this session is also canceled, due to low enrollment)—pg. 25