Calendar of Events

Natural History Interpretation (3 sessions) with Brad Daniel

Tuesdays, March 25, April 1 + 8  |  12 – 4 pm

Natural history interpreters provoke interest and curiosity in our natural and cultural heritage. This course will introduce the basic principles of environmental interpretation and is designed for Blue Ridge Naturalists who will be leading nature walks, teaching natural history to adults or children, and delivering talks to community groups. Participants will learn how to create nature education talks or walks that are purposeful, enjoyable, informative and organized. Students will be given an opportunity to develop their own programs and practice their presentation and communication skills. This class fulfills a Capstone Core requirement for the Blue Ridge Naturalist Certificate and should be completed near the end of a student’s studies in the program.

Bullington Gardens is known for our expansive collection of dahlias. Each year our volunteer dahlia crew work tirelessly to ensure we have the best crop possible. These amazing plants take quite a bit of work to be successful, and it starts with dividing your tuber. Join Kim Biggerstaff and Isaac Wyatt as we walk through the culture of dahlias. We will also have a tuber dividing demo after the class. Participants will get a chance to divide a clump of tubers and take one home!

April 1, 2025, 1:00-3:00 pm. Fee: $30.00

A playful night of storytelling, surprises, and art-inspired mischief!
When the gallery closes for the night, the stories come out to play! Join Gallery Tales founder, Kate Wargo, for a special April Fools edition of Pranks, Plots, & Playful Tales—where artwork takes on a life of its own and every story has a surprise twist.
Young writers (ages 8-13) and their family will explore the gallery, find inspiration in the artwork, and craft their own Trickster Tale—full of pranks, unexpected turns, and clever characters! Will your story pull off the ultimate trick, flip the script, or leave the audience guessing?
🎨 Art Speaks: Pick a piece of artwork—what if it’s hiding a secret, playing a joke, or telling a different story than it seems?
✍️ The Trickster’s Challenge: Start writing, but beware! A surprise storytelling twist might shake things up!
🎤 The Night Owl Mic: Share your tricky tale (if you want) in a cozy, welcoming space.
Join us for 90 minutes of creativity, fun, and storytelling shenanigans! Just remember… in a Trickster Tale, anything can happen!
✨ For young writers ages 8-13 who love a good story and a little bit of fun!
**Bring a notebook, pen/pencil, and your imagination!
www.gallerytales.com to learn more about Gallery Tales Kids Spring and Summer creative writing and visual arts series

Beginning Botany with Alexandra Holland

Friday, April 4  |  1 – 4pm

It’s a tough life for a plant: make dinner, create and nurture offspring, fight off predators, deal with the neighbors. In Beginning Botany we’ll explore how plants handle these daily challenges using and modifying only leaves, stems, and roots. We’ll cover the basics of plant structure and function.

Southern Appalachian Birds Through the Seasons with Carlton Burke

Saturday, April 5  |  12 – 4 pm

Since birds are capable of long distance flights and many engage in annual migration rituals, their presence in our area often changes in relation to the seasons of the year.  In this class we will discuss the seasonal patterns of southern Appalachian birds and focus on some of the major species and their annual life cycles. As part of this program, there will be a “lab” portion where students will be able to meet some live birds and participate in other hands-on components to deepen the learning.

Edible Wild Weeds with Abby Artemisia

Sunday, April 6  |  10 am – 1 pm

Appalachia is a hotbed of biodiversity and our weeds are no different! Except weeds are the most sustainable to harvest! Abby will give you some basic introductory botany tips for identification, along with sustainable harvest and processing tips. This will demystify the often but unnecessary complications of learning Botany and even make it fun! Bring your field guides!

This program takes place in the classroom and outdoors. Please come prepared to walk on gentle, yet uneven terrain, and dress appropriately for the weather.

EcoHopeful with Liza Wolff-Francis

Sunday, April 6  |  2 – 4 pm

In a climate disaster like a hurricane, there is chaos and moment to moment survival and often fear. Immediately afterwards, there is often a gathering of self, an assessing of the situation. Then comes grief, loss, and uncertainty. Much later, the outer world expects things will all get back to normal, though we may not feel we are quite “back” to what we were. In fact, we may feel deeply changed. In all of these stages of a disaster, we assess what is happening and how we are doing and what we need to do going forward.

In this quick 2-hour workshop, we will come together in our resiliency to normalize how we have responded to the disaster and to learn and practice tools to calm our nervous systems in order to feel stronger in our current assessment of what’s next for us. Join us for a gathering in community, strength building, and resiliency boosting, as we continue to weave Helene into one of the stories we carry with us, not one that carries us.

Natural History Interpretation (3 sessions) with Brad Daniel

Tuesdays, March 25, April 1 + 8  |  12 – 4 pm

Natural history interpreters provoke interest and curiosity in our natural and cultural heritage. This course will introduce the basic principles of environmental interpretation and is designed for Blue Ridge Naturalists who will be leading nature walks, teaching natural history to adults or children, and delivering talks to community groups. Participants will learn how to create nature education talks or walks that are purposeful, enjoyable, informative and organized. Students will be given an opportunity to develop their own programs and practice their presentation and communication skills. This class fulfills a Capstone Core requirement for the Blue Ridge Naturalist Certificate and should be completed near the end of a student’s studies in the program.

Discover the delicate and fleeting world of ephemeral flowers, mosses, and ferns that grace our landscapes with their beauty. Join Steve Pettis, Henderson County Commercial and Consumer Horticulture Agent and host of the Gardening in the Mountains Radio Show and Podcast and learn to identify these early spring wonders, understand their unique lifecycles, and explore their roles in the ecosystem.

Using a Key to ID Wildflowers with Scott Dean

Thursday, April 10  |  10 am – 1 pm

Identifying wildflowers can both be an art and a technical field of study. Most popular field guides include some kind of key to help users identify flowers that they see out in nature but learning how to use one can be a challenge. Join Scott Dean on this brand new class on how to use the non-technical keys found in two wildflower field guides: Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide and Wildflowers of the Atlantic Southeast. Also bring your hand lens/jeweler’s loupe to inspect plants up close and we recommend using a 7 – 10x power lens for this class.

We will have a few copies of each guide and some hand lenses to borrow but please bring your own if you have them.

This program takes place in the classroom and outdoors. Please come prepared to walk on gentle, yet uneven terrain, and dress appropriately for the weather.

April 12: Garden Design, Planning, and Prep

This class covers garden planning essentials, including layout design, budgeting, and succession planting. Participants will learn to choose crops, determine planting quantities, and start plants from seeds or transplants. Topics include essential tools, hands-on transplanting, and perennial edible care

Arboretum Excursions: Highlands Biological Station with Patrick Brannon

Saturday, April 12  |  1 – 4 pm

Since 1927, the mission of WCU’s Highlands Biological Station has been to foster education and research focused on the rich biodiversity of the southern Appalachian Mountains. Through its Nature Center exhibits, hands-on educational STEM programs, and immersive biological field experiences, HBS seeks to instill a greater awareness, understanding, and appreciation of our region and the natural world. Participants in this workshop will have opportunities to tour the Station’s facilities such as the Nature Center exhibits, research laboratories, and Botanical Garden Trails – which feature more than 500 species of native plants including old-growth hemlock trees.

Although scientists working at Highlands Biological Station have conducted research on a wide variety of species over the years, no group of animals has been studied more thoroughly than salamanders. After the tour, participants will learn about the region’s high biodiversity including salamanders, and then be given an opportunity to collect and identify species in an onsite stream. Please bring shoes that can potentially get wet (these need not be “water shoes”; old sneakers are fine).

Please visit www.highlandsbiological.org for additional information.

This program takes place in the classroom and outdoors. Please come prepared to walk on gentle, yet uneven terrain, and dress appropriately for the weather.

Forest Bathing Retreat: Celebrating Mother Earth with Asheville Wellness Tours

Saturday, April 12  |  2 – 5pm

April is Earth Month, a time to honor our precious planet and take action to protect her. Celebrate spring while cultivating your relationship with Mother Earth, yourself, and others, during this rejuvenating afternoon nature immersion retreat.

Your guide will lead you on a gentle journey through the spring forest, weaving mindfulness, breathwork, forest bathing (Shinrin Yoku) and nature therapy together for a restorative afternoon on some of the trails less traveled at the North Carolina Arboretum. We’ll celebrate the experience in community, enjoying a wild-foraged tea ceremony and snacks. Bring an open mind and an open heart. All are welcome. Presented through Adult & Continuing Education Programs in collaboration with Asheville Wellness Tours.

This program takes place outdoors. Please come prepared to walk on uneven terrain and dress appropriately for the weather.

Get ready to move, get inspired, and get your game on!

Discover your inner athlete and ignite your path to wellness at the Asheville Sports + Fitness Fair presented by Asheville Parks & Recreation! Step into the recently renovated Memorial Stadium as it transforms into a vibrant hub of energy showcasing the world of local sports leagues, fitness opportunities, and healthy living.

Explore youth and adult sports leagues, learn about organizations focused on wellness and active living, and discover a wealth of resources dedicated to improving well-being. Uncover hidden gems in the local fitness scene and learn about exciting new ways to stay active and engaged.

At 6pm, join the City of Asheville for a special ribbon cutting and dedication ceremony celebrating the renovation of Memorial Stadium and revitalization of Mountainside Park. It’s a chance to be part of Asheville’s commitment to health and recreation.
If your organization is interested in participating in the fair, please email [email protected]. Space is limited.

Join us in-person at Malaprop’s or live online when NC-based author Kayla E. presents her debut graphic memoir, Precious Rubbish, in conversation with local author Tessa Fontaine.

A landmark graphic novel debut and groundbreaking work of trauma recollection told in the style of post-war children’s comics. “If an exorcism can ever be slow and quiet, then every panel I’ve finished has felt something like an exorcism. The gutters give me space to make sense of things: to connect dots and close gaps. To remember.” Kayla E.’s Precious Rubbish is an experimental graphic memoir drawn in a style that references the aesthetics of mid-century children’s comics and tells the story of a childhood shaped by maternal emotional dysregulation, rural poverty, and incest. The author’s childhood is portrayed as a collection of short-form comics and gag panels punctuated by interactive elements like paper dolls, satirical advertisements, games, and puzzles.

Unleash your creativity at Bullington Gardens by learning to craft your very own hypertufa open roof planter! This hands-on class will guide you through the process of mixing and molding hypertufa—a lightweight, durable material perfect for garden containers. All materials are provided, so just bring your enthusiasm and get ready to create a unique piece for your garden. Whether you’re looking to add a rustic touch to your outdoor space or simply enjoy a fun afternoon of crafting, this class is perfect for all skill levels. Join us for a memorable experience and take home a beautiful, handcrafted container! April 18th, 2025, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM. $ 45.00. Class limit 10.

April 19: Soil and Water Management and Plant Care

This class covers soil management, including natural amendments, composting, vermicomposting, and raised bed techniques. Participants will learn to create, clear, and revive garden beds—hands-on experience included!

Come on out and support our local people! Local artisans, crafts, produce, specialty foods, skin care, ets.

Geology of the Blue Ridge II with Anton DuMars

Wednesday, April 23 |  12 – 4 pm

The second class of this two-part Geology course builds on fundamentals from the first class, Geology I. We progress to a model of Southern Appalachian Mountain building and include an overview of geologic processes such as earthquakes, mass movements, and floods. We wrap up with a summary of the Spruce Pine Mining District and the Sparta, NC Earthquake of 2020

Mark your calendars for Bullington Gardens’ Annual Spring Plant Sale, a must-visit event for gardening enthusiasts! Discover a unique selection of perennials, annuals, trees, shrubs, veggies, and tomatoes, all carefully curated to inspire your garden. This year, we’re also highlighting a variety of pollinator-friendly plants to support local ecosystems and bring life to your outdoor spaces. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, our sale offers something for everyone, with expert advice on hand to help you make the most of your selections. Don’t miss this opportunity to cultivate beauty and sustainability in your garden!

This is an in-person program, held at The Learning Garden

Program: Growing Vegetables in Containers

Presenter: Barb Harrison, Extension Master GardenerSM volunteers

Program Description: So, you don’t have a lot of space to grow fresh vegetables. Growing vegetables in containers is an easy way to have fresh vegetables all through the summer. If you only have a small space to work with such as a patio, balcony, alleyway, sidewalk or even a rooftop, you can still grow a bountiful garden choosing the right variety of vegetable plants.

We will cover types of containers that work best for vegetables, sun requirements which impacts what vegetables you can grow, growing media, watering, the best vegetables to grow in containers, and the benefits of mulch and a fertilization plan.

After a brief presentation we will then visit the Vegetable Garden and plant some vegetables in containers while reviewing the basic principles.

Portions of this program may be held outside; please dress appropriately for the weather. The classroom size is limited so register to reserve your seat!

The talk is free, but seating is limited and registration using Eventbrite is required.

If you have questions, contact the Buncombe County Extension office at 828-255-5522.

iNaturalist: An Amazing Tool for Identification in Your Pocket with Lauren Lampley.

Thursday, April 24  |  2:30 – 4 pm

BRN + BREG – Elective

Learn how a smartphone app, iNaturalist, can both be a very useful identification tool and a way to participate in Community Science! Submitting observations to iNaturalist helps scientists learn more about species by crowd-sourcing information from users all over the world. During this class we will look at the different versions of the app and website as well as take some time outside to practice submitting your own using your own smartphone. The City Nature Challenge will take place from April 25-28 and is a great way to submit iNaturalist observations in a global effort as well as earn a Bioblitz patch from Science Across North Carolina! https://scienceacrossnc.org/

This program takes place in the classroom and outdoors. Please come prepared to walk on gentle, yet uneven terrain, and dress appropriately for the weather.

The Enka-Candler Farmers Market located at A-B Tech Enka Campus, in the parking lot of the Small Business Center will host Extension Master Gardener plant clinics on the fourth Thursday of the month for the 2025 season!

At each Plant Clinic, Master Gardener volunteers will be available to answer all of your gardening questions and address your related concerns. Feel free to bring plant or insect samples for identification and/or problem resolution.

You can pick-up soil test kits and receive information about in-person programs and activities at The Learning Garden and the schedule for the Gardening in the Mountains, online seminars.

Stop by and learn more!

Mark your calendars for Bullington Gardens’ Annual Spring Plant Sale, a must-visit event for gardening enthusiasts! Discover a unique selection of perennials, annuals, trees, shrubs, veggies, and tomatoes, all carefully curated to inspire your garden. This year, we’re also highlighting a variety of pollinator-friendly plants to support local ecosystems and bring life to your outdoor spaces. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, our sale offers something for everyone, with expert advice on hand to help you make the most of your selections. Don’t miss this opportunity to cultivate beauty and sustainability in your garden!

Mark your calendars for Bullington Gardens’ Annual Spring Plant Sale, a must-visit event for gardening enthusiasts! Discover a unique selection of perennials, annuals, trees, shrubs, veggies, and tomatoes, all carefully curated to inspire your garden. This year, we’re also highlighting a variety of pollinator-friendly plants to support local ecosystems and bring life to your outdoor spaces. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, our sale offers something for everyone, with expert advice on hand to help you make the most of your selections. Don’t miss this opportunity to cultivate beauty and sustainability in your garden!

This class covers a variety of topics like DIY garden structures like trellises and rainwater collection, bed-building techniques, and edible spring weeds with management tips. Discussions will also include pest control, soil testing, cover cropping, NPK basics, common garden challenges, and strategies to maximize growing space.

Native Azalea Day

April 26, 2025

Visit the gardens this spring for Native Azalea Day, an invitation to celebrate and experience azaleas through the eyes of plant enthusiasts, botanists, and artists. In partnership with the Mountain Science Exposition, Native Azalea Day plans to bring even more excitement in its third year! For one day only, visitors can observe as plein air artists capture the scene in paint and pen, learn about the garden and its collection on a walking tour, and participate in hands-on activities for children and adults.

A shuttle to the Collection will be available between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., departing to and from the Baker Visitor Center throughout the event. Visitors are also welcome to walk to the Native Azalea Collection from the Gatehouse Parking Lot using Old Mill Road to Bent Creek Road, or can park at the Baker Visitor Center and walk down Running Cedar Road to Bent Creek Road. Walkers should be prepared to travel one mile over unpaved roads and paths.

Schedule

10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.: Shuttles running continuously between Baker and Azalea Collection for public

8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.: Pre-registered bird netting activity with Wild Bird Research Group meets

10:00 a.m.: Event begins with ongoing walk-up features: tabling, activity booklet, scavenger hunt, and cyanotype activity

10:30 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.: Pre-registered walking tour with curator (45 minute)

11:30 p.m. – 12:00 p.m.: Pre-registered walking tour with volunteer docent (30 minute)

12:30 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.: Cyanotype demonstration with Calissa Lawn

1:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.: Pre-registered walking tour with volunteer docent (30 minute)

2:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.: Pre-registered walking tour with volunteer docent (30 minute)

3:00 p.m.: Event ends, last shuttle