Calendar of Events

Support your local pollinators in The Learning Garden and participate in the Great Southeast Pollinator Census. Join us and learn how to identify and count common pollinators and what plants they favor. After a brief presentation we will go out into the garden and count pollinators.

Two (15 minute) counting sessions will be held back to back. Come for the first one or stay for both. Extension Master Gardener volunteers will provide instruction and assist. Your count matters!

Please bring a hat, water bottle and a chair if needed.

The program is free, but participation is limited and registration is required. Details of the program, along with registration instructions are found on the Buncombe County Extension website.

If you encounter problems registering or if you have questions, call 828-255-5522.
Photo by Donna Sapp, Extension Master Gardener volunteer

Join us for our monthly market, where you’ll discover local vendors offering a variety of houseplants, garden plants, and planty-related items, including crafts and jewelry. Show your support by visiting our social table, where we will have branded merchandise for sale to help fund the event, as well as tags for social media pages to follow your favorite vendors. Enjoy live music and a welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere.
🅿️Free parking is available! Please park at the front of the building and enter through the hydroponics shop. Vendors will be set up inside the shop as well as outside the back of the shop.

Tours on the last Wednesday of the month, May through October: May 28, June 25, July 30, August 27, September 24, October 29
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

This is an in-person program, held at The Learning Garden. Visit and Learn!

Visit informally Monday through Friday
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (no docents or tours)

Docents and Presenters: Extension Master Gardener volunteers working in the garden.
Program Description: On the last Wednesday of the month from May to October you can join a more formal tour and be led through the gardens by a master gardener docent as you watch the other gardeners caring for the plants. See beautiful and interesting plants, delicious vegetables, native plants for beauty and pollinator interest.
The tours start at 10:00 a.m. and should last approximately an hour. The tours will begin outside the front door of the Buncombe County Extension Office.

Wear appropriate attire (hat, sunglasses and sturdy shoes and bring some water) as this event will be held outside. In the event of steady rain in West Asheville, the workday and the tour will be canceled.

The tour is free and registration is not necessary.
If you have questions, call 828-255-5522.

NOTE: The Learning Garden is open for informal visits Monday through Friday throughout the year, but if you visit on a Wednesday, during the growing season, you can meet the Master Gardeners working in the gardens and ask questions about the plants and their care. We invite you to visit often, observe the gardens, and ask questions as the Master Gardeners tend the gardens through the growing season. If you have questions, call 828-255-5522.

Sip and stroll through the Arboretum’s gardens in the glow of the golden hour, all while listening to live music from a variety of local and regional artists! ArborEvenings runs Wednesdays and Thursdays through September 18, 2025 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

**Please note: Outside alcohol is prohibited on the campus of The North Carolina Arboretum.**

There is no additional cost to attend ArborEvenings beyond our standard parking fee. As always, Arboretum Society members and their accompanying guests can enter for FREE (guests must be in member vehicles to receive free entry). Proceeds from ArborEvenings help support the The North Carolina Arboretum Society and further advance the Arboretum’s mission.

Sip and stroll through the Arboretum’s gardens in the glow of the golden hour, all while listening to live music from a variety of local and regional artists! ArborEvenings runs Wednesdays and Thursdays through September 18, 2025 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

**Please note: Outside alcohol is prohibited on the campus of The North Carolina Arboretum.**

There is no additional cost to attend ArborEvenings beyond our standard parking fee. As always, Arboretum Society members and their accompanying guests can enter for FREE (guests must be in member vehicles to receive free entry). Proceeds from ArborEvenings help support the The North Carolina Arboretum Society and further advance the Arboretum’s mission.

ART PARTY ON THE ROOF AT THE RADICAL HOTEL

Thursday, August 28, 2025

7-9pm

The Roof

The Radical Hotel

95 Roberts Street

Asheville, NC 28801

You are invited to an unforgettable evening of creativity and community with Miranda Wildman and friends on The Roof at The Radical Hotel!

This August evening we will play with a plethora of colors and shapes to create your very own tabletop lantern to set the mood for your summer soirees.

No experience? No problem! This is all about fun, self-expression, and connecting with others through art. Let the local DJ’s inspired beats set the mood as you create alongside new and old friends.

Come as you are—bring your curiosity. Art is for everyone, and this art party is too!

$25

all materials included

N.O.T.A.F.L.O.F.

(no one turned away for lack of funds)

Garden and Adventure Photography Basics

with Cami Calnan

Friday, August 29  |  10 am – 1 pm

Elevate your photography from the level you are currently working from. In this immersive workshop, we will explore the technical aspects of the camera you photograph with. Bring your phone, your slr or point and shoot digital or film camera, and we will explore the concepts behind taking the kinds of photos you are hoping to capture.

This program will take place outside and will follow easy trails and paved walkways. Dress for the weather and prepare to be outside for the entire program time.

Sip and stroll through the Arboretum’s gardens in the glow of the golden hour, all while listening to live music from a variety of local and regional artists! ArborEvenings runs Wednesdays and Thursdays through September 18, 2025 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

**Please note: Outside alcohol is prohibited on the campus of The North Carolina Arboretum.**

There is no additional cost to attend ArborEvenings beyond our standard parking fee. As always, Arboretum Society members and their accompanying guests can enter for FREE (guests must be in member vehicles to receive free entry). Proceeds from ArborEvenings help support the The North Carolina Arboretum Society and further advance the Arboretum’s mission.

Sip and stroll through the Arboretum’s gardens in the glow of the golden hour, all while listening to live music from a variety of local and regional artists! ArborEvenings runs Wednesdays and Thursdays through September 18, 2025 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

**Please note: Outside alcohol is prohibited on the campus of The North Carolina Arboretum.**

There is no additional cost to attend ArborEvenings beyond our standard parking fee. As always, Arboretum Society members and their accompanying guests can enter for FREE (guests must be in member vehicles to receive free entry). Proceeds from ArborEvenings help support the The North Carolina Arboretum Society and further advance the Arboretum’s mission.

Come make this textured and riveted sterling silver ring in a hands on workshop at Ignite Jewelry Studios. A qualified instructor will safely take you through the steps until your piece is complete. You’ll use a variety of common metalsmithing tools including a torch, rolling mill, and more!

Choose from 4 textures: Hammered/ Striped/Boho/Smooth

All materials included! Make it to your size.

Also makes a unique wedding band, fabulous bachelorette event, or team building!

Gardening in a Changing Climate

with Laura Lengnick

Wednesday, September 10  |  1 – 3pm

The changing weather patterns caused by climate change create new challenges for gardeners in Western NC and beyond. More variable and extreme temperatures and rainfall, a longer growing season and warmer winters disrupt the growth and development of plants and animals common to our region. This course provides an overview of the practices, both old and new, that gardeners can use to cultivate a climate-resilient garden. Learn how to evaluate climate risk, anticipate the arrival of new pests and diseases, and track local changes in weather patterns to improve your ability to adjust seasonal work plans, select well-adapted plant species/cultivars, and manage landscapes to promote climate resilience.

Sip and stroll through the Arboretum’s gardens in the glow of the golden hour, all while listening to live music from a variety of local and regional artists! ArborEvenings runs Wednesdays and Thursdays through September 18, 2025 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

**Please note: Outside alcohol is prohibited on the campus of The North Carolina Arboretum.**

There is no additional cost to attend ArborEvenings beyond our standard parking fee. As always, Arboretum Society members and their accompanying guests can enter for FREE (guests must be in member vehicles to receive free entry). Proceeds from ArborEvenings help support the The North Carolina Arboretum Society and further advance the Arboretum’s mission.

Sip and stroll through the Arboretum’s gardens in the glow of the golden hour, all while listening to live music from a variety of local and regional artists! ArborEvenings runs Wednesdays and Thursdays through September 18, 2025 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

**Please note: Outside alcohol is prohibited on the campus of The North Carolina Arboretum.**

There is no additional cost to attend ArborEvenings beyond our standard parking fee. As always, Arboretum Society members and their accompanying guests can enter for FREE (guests must be in member vehicles to receive free entry). Proceeds from ArborEvenings help support the The North Carolina Arboretum Society and further advance the Arboretum’s mission.

Forest Bathing: A Harvest Season Retreat

with Asheville Wellness Tours

Saturday, September 13  |  10 – 1pm

Celebrate abundance, balance and equilibrium during this immersive morning nature connection retreat. During this seasonal transition, we’ll mark the threshold between summer and fall, honoring the Earth’s bountiful harvest while slowing our pace, awakening our senses, and practicing embodied acts of gratitude. Honoring this liminal fifth season, connecting with ourselves, each other, and the more-than-human-world, nourishing the relationships that sustain and connect us.

Your guide, Christa Hebal, will lead you on a gentle journey through the forest, weaving mindfulness, breathwork, forest bathing and nature therapy together for a restorative morning on some of the trails less traveled at the North Carolina Arboretum. We’ll celebrate the experience with a community Earth offering, followed by 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.

The 16th West Asheville Garden Stroll is Saturday, September 13 from 11 AM to 4 PM. It features 13 diverse gardens in the Falconhurst neighborhood, north of Haywood Road between Mitchell Avenue and Louisiana. Stroll Guides with a map and garden descriptions will be available from 11:00 until 3:30 at the parking lot across from West Asheville Baptist Church, 926 Haywood Road. (Note to regular attendees: there’s no kickoff program this year.)

The Garden Stroll is free, and all are welcome to join in this community event, rain or shine. However, leave your four-footed friends at home — dogs are not allowed in the gardens.
In keeping with our “stroll” concept, we encourage you to park at one of the WAGS-designated lots on Haywood Road and walk or bike the 2.5 mile route.
This year’s gardens include a permaculture “grass to food” yard with all kinds of edibles; formal designs and eclectic ones that have evolved over time; a “photographer’s paradise;” a large Bountiful Cities community garden hidden among residential streets; whimsical yard art; and of course, chickens. You’ll see new and mature gardens as well as works-in-progress, all offering the chance to chat with friendly and enthusiastic gardeners.
Our theme, Entwined, was inspired by the amazing interconnectedness of nature. In a healthy garden the plants, insects, birds, fungi and soil bacteria form an interdependent community that allows them all to thrive. The same is true in a healthy neighborhood. After Helene, the Falconhurst community — like many neighborhoods in WNC — grew even more entwined, as neighbors gathered around the well at the small farm to collect water and share necessities, information, and good vibes. Let’s all work to make our communities and our gardens more “entwined!”

Want to learn to make jewelry? This beginner friendly introductory metalsmithing course teaches the basics skills involved in making your own jewelry. Learn to use a variety of tools and equipment common in a jewelry studio.

This Intensive 16 hour 2 day workshop will teach many techniques including sawing, filing, polishing, soldering, bezel setting, textures, and more! $499 plus a $55 materials fee (paid separate at class)

Class Times: Saturday Sept 13th 9-5 and Sunday Sept 14th 9-5

Students will also have access to 4 Open Studio sessions through the following 4 weeks to practice their skills. A knowledgeable instructor is present during these sessions for questions and safety. Wednesdays 10-4pm (These are only valid the 4 weeks following the class and do not carry over)

Please know this will be a substantial amount of information over the two days and the intensity may not be ideal for everyone. Some jewelry making knowledge may be beneficial, but is not required. The course is designed to teach the skills through a series of jewelry pieces.

The course is designed to teach techniques and skills rather than completing actual aesthetically pleasing pieces, but the goal is that everyone can complete 2-3 pieces of finished jewelry or more. Attending some or all Open Studios will absolutely ensure this and likely many more pieces.

Planning for the future can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Join us for a FREE WORKSHOP designed to help seniors and their families navigate the often-complex process of downsizing, relocating, and preparing for what’s next.

This event, held at the East Asheville Public Library, will provide guidance from professionals on a variety of topics to help make your next transition smooth and stress-free.

Refreshments will be provided!

Workshop Highlights
Financial Guidance from a Lender: Learn how lenders utilize a combination of your retirement income and assets to qualify you for a mortgage.

Legal Planning with an Estate Attorney: Get expert advice on key legal issues, including how to organize assets, taxes, and your beneficiary structure, as well as ensure the instructions for your death or medical circumstance are followed.

Practical Moving Tips from a Realtor: You are not alone! See how a Realtor can act as your personal “project manager” to make the transition stress-free.

Don’t miss this opportunity to get your questions answered by experts in the field. There will be a time for Q & A at the end! If you have questions that you would like addressed, include them in the appropriate area as your register.

This event is free and open to the public, but seating is limited. Register to secure your spot.

Sip and stroll through the Arboretum’s gardens in the glow of the golden hour, all while listening to live music from a variety of local and regional artists! ArborEvenings runs Wednesdays and Thursdays through September 18, 2025 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

**Please note: Outside alcohol is prohibited on the campus of The North Carolina Arboretum.**

There is no additional cost to attend ArborEvenings beyond our standard parking fee. As always, Arboretum Society members and their accompanying guests can enter for FREE (guests must be in member vehicles to receive free entry). Proceeds from ArborEvenings help support the The North Carolina Arboretum Society and further advance the Arboretum’s mission.

Retreat leader, educator and Jungian psychotherapist Diana McKendree leads a discussion exploring the world of dreamwork and how we might better understand our dreams. Part of Kanuga’s Lunch & Learn series, the Thursday, September 18 event begins with a forest bathing nature walk (weather permitting) at 10 a.m. McKendree’s “What Did You Dream Last Night?” discussion begins at 11 a.m., followed by a buffet lunch in Kanuga’s dining hall. Bring a recent dream, notebook and pen. Registration and more info at kanuga.org/events.

Retreat leader, educator and Jungian psychotherapist Diana McKendree leads a discussion exploring the world of dreamwork and how we might better understand our dreams. Part of Kanuga’s Lunch & Learn series. The Thursday, September 18 event begins with a forest bathing nature walk (weather permitting) at 10 a.m. McKendree’s “What Did You Dream Last Night?” discussion begins at 11 a.m., followed by a buffet lunch in Kanuga’s dining hall. Bring a recent dream, notebook and pen. Registration and more info at kanuga.org/events.

Sip and stroll through the Arboretum’s gardens in the glow of the golden hour, all while listening to live music from a variety of local and regional artists! ArborEvenings runs Wednesdays and Thursdays through September 18, 2025 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

**Please note: Outside alcohol is prohibited on the campus of The North Carolina Arboretum.**

There is no additional cost to attend ArborEvenings beyond our standard parking fee. As always, Arboretum Society members and their accompanying guests can enter for FREE (guests must be in member vehicles to receive free entry). Proceeds from ArborEvenings help support the The North Carolina Arboretum Society and further advance the Arboretum’s mission.

Wilderness Muse is a creative community hub just south-east of Asheville in Fletcher. This consignment store is a repurposed car wash that boasts the work and products of over 50 local artisans
Asheville Community Plant Market’s pop up event will be part of a larger celebration of Wilderness Muse’s first anniversary of opening
We have many local vendors, selling houseplants and garden plants, plus crafts and more

ASAP’s 2025 Farm Tour will take place Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 20-21, noon to 5 p.m. Participating farms will be announced in late June or early July. One pass is good for all passengers in a single vehicle at all farms, both days. Passes are $35 before Sept. 20 and $45 on Sept 20-21.

ASAP’s annual Farm Tour is a chance to experience how food is grown and raised through guided tours, demonstrations, and tastings. The Farm Tour showcases the diversity of working farms in Western North Carolina, including vegetables, livestock, vineyards, orchards, flowers, fiber, and more! This is a family-friendly event and a great outing for visitors of all ages, abilities, and interests. All are welcome.

ASAP’s 2025 Farm Tour is a critical prices of hurricane recovery as it helps the local food economy rebound, strengthens the relationships between farmers and consumers, and encourages tourism from outside of Asheville. Join ASAP in sustaining our farming community.

ASAP’s 2025 Farm Tour will take place Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 20-21, noon to 5 p.m. Participating farms will be announced in late June or early July. One pass is good for all passengers in a single vehicle at all farms, both days. Passes are $35 before Sept. 20 and $45 on Sept 20-21.

ASAP’s annual Farm Tour is a chance to experience how food is grown and raised through guided tours, demonstrations, and tastings. The Farm Tour showcases the diversity of working farms in Western North Carolina, including vegetables, livestock, vineyards, orchards, flowers, fiber, and more! This is a family-friendly event and a great outing for visitors of all ages, abilities, and interests. All are welcome.

ASAP’s 2025 Farm Tour is a critical prices of hurricane recovery as it helps the local food economy rebound, strengthens the relationships between farmers and consumers, and encourages tourism from outside of Asheville. Join ASAP in sustaining our farming community.

Tours on the last Wednesday of the month, May through October: May 28, June 25, July 30, August 27, September 24, October 29
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

This is an in-person program, held at The Learning Garden. Visit and Learn!

Visit informally Monday through Friday
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (no docents or tours)

Docents and Presenters: Extension Master Gardener volunteers working in the garden.
Program Description: On the last Wednesday of the month from May to October you can join a more formal tour and be led through the gardens by a master gardener docent as you watch the other gardeners caring for the plants. See beautiful and interesting plants, delicious vegetables, native plants for beauty and pollinator interest.
The tours start at 10:00 a.m. and should last approximately an hour. The tours will begin outside the front door of the Buncombe County Extension Office.

Wear appropriate attire (hat, sunglasses and sturdy shoes and bring some water) as this event will be held outside. In the event of steady rain in West Asheville, the workday and the tour will be canceled.

The tour is free and registration is not necessary.
If you have questions, call 828-255-5522.

NOTE: The Learning Garden is open for informal visits Monday through Friday throughout the year, but if you visit on a Wednesday, during the growing season, you can meet the Master Gardeners working in the gardens and ask questions about the plants and their care. We invite you to visit often, observe the gardens, and ask questions as the Master Gardeners tend the gardens through the growing season. If you have questions, call 828-255-5522.

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

Program: Worm Composting in Buckets
Presenter: John Bowen, Extension Master Gardener Volunteer
Program Description: Want worms to eat your garbage without the mess?
Interested in getting rich compost for your garden but don’t want to deal with the hassle of traditional worm bins? Master Gardener John Bowen will show you an easy, low-maintenance way to compost with worms using 5-gallon buckets buried outside—no mess, no fuss, and it works all year long. Simple, clean, and surprisingly effective!
Wear appropriate attire as some of this presentation may be held outside.

The talk is free, but seating is limited and registration is required. Please click on the link to register on Eventbrite.

If you encounter problems registering or if you have questions, call 828-255-5522.

Friday, September 26 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Saturday, Sept 27 10:00 am – 3:00 pm

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 Gardening in the Mountains online seminars. Please stop by and learn more!

For more information on the plant sale, please refer to the WNC Arboretum website at ncarboretum.org

NOTE: The Arboretum’s standard $20 parking fee applies to all non-members.

Join us at Ignite Jewelry Studio’s on select Friday night’s from 5-8 for our new Ignite Maker Nights. October 3rd is Hammer a Circle Pendant. You’ll choose from a variety of hammer textures and complete your silver pendant.

Each Ignite Maker Night will feature a different drop in workshop to make something fun for yourself or a friend and costs $25 for 25 minutes of less. Before or after this fun experience you can also wander downtown’s galleries for Asheville’s First Fridays. This makes for a great date night or girls night out experience as well!

Age appropriate for ages 10+.

Cost is $25/person and includes materials.

*You don’t need to sign up, as this is a “drop-in”. Our gallery will be open to shop locally handmade jewelry as well.