Each month, our Master Gardener group hosts a free talk about plants and gardening.

The next talk, on Sunday, May 17, 2-3:30 p.m., will be about “Embracing the imperfect garden.” The talk will be at the Orange County Southern Branch Library (Drakeford Library Complex), 203 S. Greensboro St., Carrboro). Parking is available in the adjacent garage.

Want to let go of the idea that your garden must be perfect? Janet Staats, Master Gardener volunteer, will talk about gardens that are a little messy - they are often the healthiest, most resilient and most alive.

Please bring your questions, and join us for an informative and fun presentation!

See you on May 17!

(Photo of Brie Arthur’s garden by Margaret Cloud.)

The Master Gardener volunteers of Orange County host booths at the Carrboro Farmers’ Market and at the Eno River Farmers’ Market in Hillsborough.

We are at the Carrboro Farmers’ Market (301 West Main St., Carrboro) from 8 a.m. to noon each Saturday through June 15; we’ll be back on Sept. 12 after a summer break.

We have a booth at the Eno River Farmers’ Market (144 East Margaret Ln., Hillsborough) on the third Saturday of each month, March to October. Our upcoming dates are May 16, June 20, July 18, Aug. 15, Sept. 19 and Oct. 17.

At both markets, we love to answer gardening questions and talk about plants. We offer soil testing boxes and forms as well as other useful information. Please stop by and say hi!

(Photo by Eric Kurtz.)

Mark your calendar for PlantFest 2026, the annual plant sale and garden festival hosted by the Master Gardener volunteers of Orange County, NC.

This year, PlantFest will be held on Saturday, Oct. 10, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Blackwood Farm Park, 4215 NC-86, Chapel Hill. Parking will be available at the park entrance on New Hope Church Road.

We’ll have a big plant sale, kids’ activities, helpful gardening exhibits, music, food, free seed packets and more! We’ll share details in the coming months.

(Photo by Darlene Wells.)