Gardening advice is easy to find on the web, but much of the information is inaccurate, inappropriate for your area, and may do more harm than good! The links on this page are excellent sources for research-based gardening information. Click here for a few tips to finding useful gardening information for Western North Carolina: Web Research Tips for WNC
Calendar of Events
Upcoming events and things to do in Asheville, NC. Below is a list of events for festivals, concerts, art exhibitions, group meetups and more.
Interested in adding an event to our calendar? Please click the green “Post Your Event” button below.
Beginner’s workshop lesson at 7:30 P.M., then 8-11 P.M. Contra Dance with Country Waltzing at the break and the final dance. This is a partner dance but it’s not necessary to come with a partner. We have different live bands and callers.
Join John Bowen, Extension Master Gardener in Buncombe County NC as he demonstrates a few simple steps for taking stem cuttings to propagate some of your favorite annuals and shrubs. When and how to take cuttings and how to make a simple “greenhouse” for individual plants are covered. It’s easy and fun!
VIDEOS FOR ALL GARDENERS!Extension Master Gardener volunteers have created several gardening videos to help gardeners learn about vegetable gardening in raised bed and straw bales.
Many skills are required to start and expand a successful farm business: passion, clear goals, production experience, financial and marketing know-how, and more. Farm Beginnings® will help you build these skills through one year of farmer-led training, mentoring, and networking. Using a holistic management frame, farmer-led classroom sessions, on-farm tours, and an extensive farmer network, Farm Beginnings® will help you clarify your goals and strengths, establish a strong enterprise plan, and start building a profitable and sustainable operation. Although students do not need to own land, some farming or production experience is required to get the most out of the program. As we know, farming is more critical than ever. Apply to this program and be prepared when crisis hits!
Program Details: December 2020 – September 2021
2020-2021 Farm Beginnings® Farmer Training is 200+ Hours including:
— Winter Whole-Farm Business Planning Courses – 60 hours (October – March)**
— ASAP’s Business of Farming Conference (February) – 8 hours
— OGS Conferences – 40+ hours
— Mentorship with an experienced Farmer Mentor (March – September) – 15 hours
— Production Training – 45 hours (April – October): WNC CRAFT tours on sustainable farms around WNC & Field Days with regional partners Living Web Farms and the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy Incubator Farm
— One year WNC CRAFT Farmer Network membership – Membership and mentoring in a regional farmer network

The North Carolina Forest Service is accepting tree seedling orders as part of its annual sale.
Each year, the NCFS Nursery Program produces millions of quality seedlings for nearly 50 species of conifers, hardwoods and native understory plants, including eastern and Carolina hemlock seedlings, as well as an expanded selection of genetically improved third cycle loblolly pine seedlings.
How can you order tree seedlings from the NCFS Nursery Program?
- Tree seedlings can be ordered from the online seedling store at www.buynctrees.com.
- Tree seedlings can also be ordered by phone at 1-888-NCTREES (1-888-628-7337).
- Tree seedlings can be ordered using the order form found in our current catalog. Complete the form and mail to Seedling Coordinator, 762 Claridge Nursery Road, Goldsboro, NC 27530.
- A user-friendly catalog is available at the “Tree Seedlings & Nursery Program” link located at www.ncforestservice.gov. Catalogs are also available at local NCFS offices located in all 100 North Carolina counties. Inside the catalog, landowners can find information about the types of tree species, quantities and costs to order. Each tree description includes information about ideal planting locations and whether a species is typically used to benefit wildlife, restore habitats or as marketable timber.
Distribution of tree seedlings will occur December through mid-April, depending on weather conditions. Seedling orders can be shipped to one of 12 distribution centers statewide for a small fee or via UPS for a charge. Seedling orders are also available for pickup from the NCFS Claridge Nursery in Goldsboro or the Linville River Nursery, near Crossnore. For information on planting trees, people are encouraged to contact an NCFS county ranger. Contact information for your local NCFS county office and nursery locations is available at www.ncforestservice.gov/contacts.
Resources
Tap-Dancing Noses At
The Royal Opera House
Don’t miss this scene from Shostakovich’s surreal and vibrant first opera, featuring tap-dancing noses.

The Fairy trail is open Monday thru Saturday, 9am-4pm. We encourage all visitors to be patient as there will be limits to the number of people allowed on the trail at the same time. While the trail is outdoors, there are some small spaces and we want to ensure our guests and fairies are safe. Please practice appropriate social distancing and bring a mask in case. Masks are not required, but are considerate in a close area. Our restrooms are not open to the public at this time. Please make arrangements prior to visiting.
Rules of the trail:
Do not move or rearrange fairy displays. The fairies are very fond of their own decorating.
Do not leave trash on the trail. Fairies do not like litter in their town.
Please ensure children and pets are supervised at all times. Dogs and loud noises can scare the fairies into hiding.
Do not disturb wildlife or vegetation. The fairies depend on the vegetation to build their homes.
The trail is one way only. Please stay on the trail at all times.
The Fairies can’t wait to see you all here!
P.S. the Fairies would like us to remind you that we are a non-profit and donations are greatly appreciated. Help us keep the fairies living in the style with which they’ve become accustomed.
Join John Bowen, Extension Master Gardener in Buncombe County NC as he demonstrates a few simple steps for taking stem cuttings to propagate some of your favorite annuals and shrubs. When and how to take cuttings and how to make a simple “greenhouse” for individual plants are covered. It’s easy and fun!
VIDEOS FOR ALL GARDENERS!Extension Master Gardener volunteers have created several gardening videos to help gardeners learn about vegetable gardening in raised bed and straw bales.
Many skills are required to start and expand a successful farm business: passion, clear goals, production experience, financial and marketing know-how, and more. Farm Beginnings® will help you build these skills through one year of farmer-led training, mentoring, and networking. Using a holistic management frame, farmer-led classroom sessions, on-farm tours, and an extensive farmer network, Farm Beginnings® will help you clarify your goals and strengths, establish a strong enterprise plan, and start building a profitable and sustainable operation. Although students do not need to own land, some farming or production experience is required to get the most out of the program. As we know, farming is more critical than ever. Apply to this program and be prepared when crisis hits!
Program Details: December 2020 – September 2021
2020-2021 Farm Beginnings® Farmer Training is 200+ Hours including:
— Winter Whole-Farm Business Planning Courses – 60 hours (October – March)**
— ASAP’s Business of Farming Conference (February) – 8 hours
— OGS Conferences – 40+ hours
— Mentorship with an experienced Farmer Mentor (March – September) – 15 hours
— Production Training – 45 hours (April – October): WNC CRAFT tours on sustainable farms around WNC & Field Days with regional partners Living Web Farms and the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy Incubator Farm
— One year WNC CRAFT Farmer Network membership – Membership and mentoring in a regional farmer network

The North Carolina Forest Service is accepting tree seedling orders as part of its annual sale.
Each year, the NCFS Nursery Program produces millions of quality seedlings for nearly 50 species of conifers, hardwoods and native understory plants, including eastern and Carolina hemlock seedlings, as well as an expanded selection of genetically improved third cycle loblolly pine seedlings.
How can you order tree seedlings from the NCFS Nursery Program?
- Tree seedlings can be ordered from the online seedling store at www.buynctrees.com.
- Tree seedlings can also be ordered by phone at 1-888-NCTREES (1-888-628-7337).
- Tree seedlings can be ordered using the order form found in our current catalog. Complete the form and mail to Seedling Coordinator, 762 Claridge Nursery Road, Goldsboro, NC 27530.
- A user-friendly catalog is available at the “Tree Seedlings & Nursery Program” link located at www.ncforestservice.gov. Catalogs are also available at local NCFS offices located in all 100 North Carolina counties. Inside the catalog, landowners can find information about the types of tree species, quantities and costs to order. Each tree description includes information about ideal planting locations and whether a species is typically used to benefit wildlife, restore habitats or as marketable timber.
Distribution of tree seedlings will occur December through mid-April, depending on weather conditions. Seedling orders can be shipped to one of 12 distribution centers statewide for a small fee or via UPS for a charge. Seedling orders are also available for pickup from the NCFS Claridge Nursery in Goldsboro or the Linville River Nursery, near Crossnore. For information on planting trees, people are encouraged to contact an NCFS county ranger. Contact information for your local NCFS county office and nursery locations is available at www.ncforestservice.gov/contacts.
Resources
Gardening advice is easy to find on the web, but much of the information is inaccurate, inappropriate for your area, and may do more harm than good! The links on this page are excellent sources for research-based gardening information. Click here for a few tips to finding useful gardening information for Western North Carolina: Web Research Tips for WNC
Tap-Dancing Noses At
The Royal Opera House
Don’t miss this scene from Shostakovich’s surreal and vibrant first opera, featuring tap-dancing noses.

Georgia Peach Truck rolls into B.B. Barns with fresh Georgia peaches from the authentic Peach State!
Organic peaches and Front Porch Pecans® are available, too.
Pre-order now from the link below, and select B.B. Barns at checkout for a contactless pickup!
www.georgiapeachtruck.com/preorder
Pre-order sales may close three days before scheduled pickup dates, and walkup sales might sell out, so please pre-order in advance to guarantee availability.
Any walkup sales will be first-come, first-serve in a safely distanced line, with wireless card readers to process contactless card payments, and cash may not be accepted when lines are present.
Freestone Georgia Peaches
Dickey Farms – Musella, Georgia
One Box, Approximately 25 Pounds – $46
Freestone Organic Peaches
Watsonia Farms – Monetta, South Carolina
One Box, Approximately 15 Pounds – $64
Front Porch Pecans®
Lamar Pecan Company – Hawkinsville, Georgia
One Bag, Approximately 1 Pound – $16
Join John Bowen, Extension Master Gardener in Buncombe County NC as he demonstrates a few simple steps for taking stem cuttings to propagate some of your favorite annuals and shrubs. When and how to take cuttings and how to make a simple “greenhouse” for individual plants are covered. It’s easy and fun!
VIDEOS FOR ALL GARDENERS!Extension Master Gardener volunteers have created several gardening videos to help gardeners learn about vegetable gardening in raised bed and straw bales.
Many skills are required to start and expand a successful farm business: passion, clear goals, production experience, financial and marketing know-how, and more. Farm Beginnings® will help you build these skills through one year of farmer-led training, mentoring, and networking. Using a holistic management frame, farmer-led classroom sessions, on-farm tours, and an extensive farmer network, Farm Beginnings® will help you clarify your goals and strengths, establish a strong enterprise plan, and start building a profitable and sustainable operation. Although students do not need to own land, some farming or production experience is required to get the most out of the program. As we know, farming is more critical than ever. Apply to this program and be prepared when crisis hits!
Program Details: December 2020 – September 2021
2020-2021 Farm Beginnings® Farmer Training is 200+ Hours including:
— Winter Whole-Farm Business Planning Courses – 60 hours (October – March)**
— ASAP’s Business of Farming Conference (February) – 8 hours
— OGS Conferences – 40+ hours
— Mentorship with an experienced Farmer Mentor (March – September) – 15 hours
— Production Training – 45 hours (April – October): WNC CRAFT tours on sustainable farms around WNC & Field Days with regional partners Living Web Farms and the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy Incubator Farm
— One year WNC CRAFT Farmer Network membership – Membership and mentoring in a regional farmer network

The North Carolina Forest Service is accepting tree seedling orders as part of its annual sale.
Each year, the NCFS Nursery Program produces millions of quality seedlings for nearly 50 species of conifers, hardwoods and native understory plants, including eastern and Carolina hemlock seedlings, as well as an expanded selection of genetically improved third cycle loblolly pine seedlings.
How can you order tree seedlings from the NCFS Nursery Program?
- Tree seedlings can be ordered from the online seedling store at www.buynctrees.com.
- Tree seedlings can also be ordered by phone at 1-888-NCTREES (1-888-628-7337).
- Tree seedlings can be ordered using the order form found in our current catalog. Complete the form and mail to Seedling Coordinator, 762 Claridge Nursery Road, Goldsboro, NC 27530.
- A user-friendly catalog is available at the “Tree Seedlings & Nursery Program” link located at www.ncforestservice.gov. Catalogs are also available at local NCFS offices located in all 100 North Carolina counties. Inside the catalog, landowners can find information about the types of tree species, quantities and costs to order. Each tree description includes information about ideal planting locations and whether a species is typically used to benefit wildlife, restore habitats or as marketable timber.
Distribution of tree seedlings will occur December through mid-April, depending on weather conditions. Seedling orders can be shipped to one of 12 distribution centers statewide for a small fee or via UPS for a charge. Seedling orders are also available for pickup from the NCFS Claridge Nursery in Goldsboro or the Linville River Nursery, near Crossnore. For information on planting trees, people are encouraged to contact an NCFS county ranger. Contact information for your local NCFS county office and nursery locations is available at www.ncforestservice.gov/contacts.
Resources
Gardening advice is easy to find on the web, but much of the information is inaccurate, inappropriate for your area, and may do more harm than good! The links on this page are excellent sources for research-based gardening information. Click here for a few tips to finding useful gardening information for Western North Carolina: Web Research Tips for WNC
Tap-Dancing Noses At
The Royal Opera House
Don’t miss this scene from Shostakovich’s surreal and vibrant first opera, featuring tap-dancing noses.
Tap-Dancing Noses At
The Royal Opera House
Don’t miss this scene from Shostakovich’s surreal and vibrant first opera, featuring tap-dancing noses.

The Fairy trail is open Monday thru Saturday, 9am-4pm. We encourage all visitors to be patient as there will be limits to the number of people allowed on the trail at the same time. While the trail is outdoors, there are some small spaces and we want to ensure our guests and fairies are safe. Please practice appropriate social distancing and bring a mask in case. Masks are not required, but are considerate in a close area. Our restrooms are not open to the public at this time. Please make arrangements prior to visiting.
Rules of the trail:
Do not move or rearrange fairy displays. The fairies are very fond of their own decorating.
Do not leave trash on the trail. Fairies do not like litter in their town.
Please ensure children and pets are supervised at all times. Dogs and loud noises can scare the fairies into hiding.
Do not disturb wildlife or vegetation. The fairies depend on the vegetation to build their homes.
The trail is one way only. Please stay on the trail at all times.
The Fairies can’t wait to see you all here!
P.S. the Fairies would like us to remind you that we are a non-profit and donations are greatly appreciated. Help us keep the fairies living in the style with which they’ve become accustomed.

Western North Carolina and east Tennessee have rich social and performative dance traditions. From small square dances held at local homes to the modern incarnation of Warren Wilson’s Old Farmers Ball, from groups of flat-foot dancers cutting a rug at a front porch string band jam to cloggers performing on stage at the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival, WNC residents have long enjoyed dancing together. Local dancer and dance caller Jesse Edgerton will present a program of southern Appalachian solo percussive dancing along with musings on the history of social and performative dance in Western North Carolina.
This event will take place as a Zoom webinar in order to make this event accessible to all. Registrants will receive a Zoom link before the event begins.
Jesse Edgerton was born in Spruce Pine, North Carolina, and raised in Asheville. He began dancing and calling square and contra dances while a student at Warren Wilson College. He has studied with, and stolen licks from, such masterful dancers as Rodney Sutton, Phil Jamison, and Thomas Maupin, among others.
About History Cafe
Ever wonder how Asheville came to get its drinking water from Black Mountain? What slavery looked like in western North Carolina (Yes, there were enslaved people here.)? How wagons, stagecoaches, and trains made it up the steep grade from Old Fort into Ridgecrest? Come to the Swannanoa Valley Museum & History Center one monday a month at 10:30am for a discussion about local history. Come start off your morning getting to know our region a little better!
Designed for adults and modeled after the popular Science Cafes taking place across the nation, Swannanoa Valley Museum & History Center’s monthly History Cafe offers lectures and workshops led by local experts and researchers on regional history topics. These hour-long meet-ups engage the many stories that have shaped our southern Appalachian community as a place — from geological changes to native histories, musical innovations, pioneer experiences, and labor struggles — and will end with informal discussion bringing our shared history into context with contemporary issues.
-
Fall Organic Gardening Series: Prepare Your Garden for Winter
Western NC plant hardiness zones range from 6 to 8 which means that no matter where you live in our region, a wide range of vegetables can overwinter without much fuss. Discover when to seed and transplant, which vegetables to plant, site location based on the hours of sunlight, and simple techniques for winter protection. And don’t forget that winter months are perfect for planning your spring garden. Possible additional topics as time allows: - Raised beds
- Fertilization and water
- Mulching systems
- Three-season cover cropping
- Harvesting tips and timelines
- Fall and winter pest pressure
- Increasing plant hardiness

The Street Dances celebrates its 102nd anniversary! The Dance features Appalachian Fire playing mountain heritage bluegrass music, square dancing and clogging on Monday July 27, August 10, 24 & September 14. The evening starts at 6:30pm, when the caller, teaches audience members some basic square dancing moves so that everyone can join in on the fun led by the evening’s clogging group.
In addition to you dancing shoes, bring a chair to enjoy an evening filled with live music, dancing and entertainment from 7 – 9pm. The audience seating area opens after 5:30pm, and early admission is prohibited. Please leave your pets comfortably at home. Admission is free. No alcoholic beverages, backpacks or coolers allowed.
In case of inclement weather, the concert will be postponed until 8pm. If the weather does not improve by 8pm the performance will be cancelled.

What: Local musicians, singers, callers, and technicians have given us joy as they shared their love of music and dance with us. We now ask our community to return that joy as they struggle financially during this difficult time by donating to our “Spread the Joy” fundraiser.
Who: All donations will be paid directly and equally to local talent. Your contributions will support local callers, musicians, and technicians who participated, a minimum of 4 times, either in the past year (March 2019 – March 2020) or were scheduled in the near future (March – June 2020) for OFB events and who indicated a financial need to the OFB Board.
When: The OFB will distribute donations on a regular basis while dances continue to be cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so please give early and often. Consider donating the price you would have paid for admission to the dances for you, maybe several friends, and remembering that the dances were cancelled back in early March.
How: Click the link below to donate via Paypal and please add the note: “Spread the Joy fundraiser”. Donate conveniently via your credit card, debit card or your Paypal account.
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=PYS3WHNV76CWA&source=url
Tap-Dancing Noses At
The Royal Opera House
Don’t miss this scene from Shostakovich’s surreal and vibrant first opera, featuring tap-dancing noses.

The Fairy trail is open Monday thru Saturday, 9am-4pm. We encourage all visitors to be patient as there will be limits to the number of people allowed on the trail at the same time. While the trail is outdoors, there are some small spaces and we want to ensure our guests and fairies are safe. Please practice appropriate social distancing and bring a mask in case. Masks are not required, but are considerate in a close area. Our restrooms are not open to the public at this time. Please make arrangements prior to visiting.
Rules of the trail:
Do not move or rearrange fairy displays. The fairies are very fond of their own decorating.
Do not leave trash on the trail. Fairies do not like litter in their town.
Please ensure children and pets are supervised at all times. Dogs and loud noises can scare the fairies into hiding.
Do not disturb wildlife or vegetation. The fairies depend on the vegetation to build their homes.
The trail is one way only. Please stay on the trail at all times.
The Fairies can’t wait to see you all here!
P.S. the Fairies would like us to remind you that we are a non-profit and donations are greatly appreciated. Help us keep the fairies living in the style with which they’ve become accustomed.
What if you truly had to sustain yourself without a lot of purchased food? In this workshop, Patryk Battle will share tips and tricks for eating rather well year-round from food you grow yourself, weeds you might find in your yard, and foraged items from wild spaces near you. Recipes and tastings included.
https://livingwebfarms.org/workshops/deep-dining-how-to-really-eat-from-your-yard-garden-and-nearby-wild-spaces/

