2025 Haywood Gardener: Learn to Grow Series

Are you interested in learning more about gardening? Come take a class with N.C. Cooperative Extension of Haywood County. The Learn to Grow series and Lifelong Gardening classes provide our community with information presented by Horticulture Agent, Rachel Douglas and NC State Extension Master Gardener℠ (EMG) volunteers on a full variety of home gardening topics. Classes provide research-based, unbiased information on current garden, fruits, and landscape practices.

All Learn to Grow classes will be held at the N.C. Cooperative Extension, Haywood County Center located at 589 Raccoon Road in Waynesville. Pre-registration is required and classes cost $10. You may register below via an online form or by calling 828-456-3575. Register soon, as class sizes are limited. Registration for each individual class opens approximately one month before the class date.

Beginning 2025, attendance at 3 or more Learn to Grow classes will be a prerequisite to the Extension Master Gardener program in Haywood County. If you would like to know more, please read our page on becoming an EMG volunteer in Haywood County.

Fall Vegetable Gardening

Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at 10 am - 12 pm. Register Here for Fall Vegetable Gardening!Take your vegetablegardening skills to the next level by learning how to growvegetables into the cooler temperatures of fall. Bonnie Refinski-Knight, an EMG volunteer, will discuss how to select vegetables for fallgardening, how to plan a fallgarden for maximum harvest, and how to keep your vegetables and garden soil healthy. Participants will have an opportunity to start fallvegetable seeds to transplant later in their own garden.

Composting

Wednesday, August 13, 2025 at 10 am - 12 pm. Composting Class Registration.Composting is the process by which microbes convert organic materials, leaves, kitchen scraps, and garden waste into a valuable product which, when used on gardens, lawns, and houseplants, results in healthier plant growth. Composting also reduces waste, improves soil structure, adds nutrients to the soil, and suppresses plant diseases, weeds and pests. Presented by EMG volunteer, Bonnie Refinski-Knight.

Gardening Techniques

Tuesday, September 9, 2025 at 10 am - 12 pm. Gardening Techniques Registration. EMG volunteer Jim Janke will discuss planting and pruning trees and shrubs, his favorite labor-saving garden tools, the importance of recording rainfall, and other garden-related topics.

Fall & Winter Propagation

Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at 1:30 - 3:30 pm. Fall & Winter Propagation Registration

Plants are expensive these days. Save money and get a jump start in your garden next spring by learning how to propagate plants in the fall and winter. For some plants, it's best to propagate them in the fall after they’ve finished blooming and ready to store energy for the winter. Using three easy and popular propagation techniques such as seeds, cuttings, and division you can successfully start new plants from existing ones to expand your garden or share with friends.In this class, EMG Volunteer, Becky Zelinski, will discuss some popular plants that are suitable for fall and winter propagation, the tools and supplies needed for propagation and how to do it. The presentation will include a hands-on propagation demonstration.

Growing Ornamentals

Thursday, October 2, 2025 at 10 am - 12 pm. Registration will be posted in September.

EMG volunteer Jim Janke will discuss microclimates, buying plants at the nursery, and growing tips for some of his favorite plants. Other topics will include gardening in a drought, the advantages of sterile plants, and outdoor containers.

How to Overwinter Dahlias

Tuesday, October 7, 2025 at 10 am - 12 pm. Registration will be posted in September.

EMG Volunteer, Linda Crawford, will discuss how to store dahlia tubers over the winter months in Western North Carolina and the pros and cons of leaving tubers in the ground in zone 7a and higher. The importance of a soil test in the fall and preparing the garden bed for spring is explained. The American Dahlia Society’s types of Dahlias based on flower size and shape will be explained with photos of the various types presented. Sources of Dahlias will also be presented.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, N.C. Cooperative Extension will honor requests for reasonable accommodations made by individuals with disabilities. Please direct accommodation requests to: Rachel Douglas, rachel_douglas@ncsu.edu or 828-456-3575. Requests can be served more effectively if notice is provided at least 10 days before the event.