NC State Extension Master Gardener Volunteers Lenoir County

09/03/2026

Interested in starting a garden but have a small space, read this below to see what fits for your space!

Lack of yard space is no excuse for not growing a vegetable garden. Regardless of whether you live in an apartment, condominium or mobile home, some space us available for growing a few of your favorite vegetables. However, the area you choose to grow your garden must receive five hours or more of s...

09/02/2026

It's Wednesday again, which means another "throwback" to a Wednesday Children's Garden summer camp! On July 8th "𝙊𝙪𝙧 𝙁𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙙 𝙁𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙨" was the theme of camp! 🦅🐦🦉

Youth participants saw, touched, and explored different nests our EMGV's had gathered. The youth participants discussed their "wingspans" and collected data to compare who had the largest and smallest! They listened to the story "An Egg is Quiet" by D. Aston. Birdseed cups were made and placed around the garden consisting of orange peel "cups," skewers, mixed seeds, and yarn! Binoculars were constructed and decorated by the youth participants and then used to "go birding" around the garden!

The youth also picked produce ready in the garden for harvest to take home. The vegetables were discussed as they were harvested. The excitement heard whenever a cucumber, tomato, squash, etc. is found to be harvested is something so fun to experience! A snack was created using pumpkin & sunflower seeds, granola, apples, and dried worms. The nectar (juice boxes) were also a favorite of the youth! 🍽️🧃

Sad your youth missed the excitement?! Follow along on our page to see more events (for those of all ages!) AND go check out the garden, 2621 W Vernon Ave Kinston, NC 28504. 🌱📍🗺

09/02/2026

Do you grow tomatoes at home in a garden space? Check out this new publication by NCSU Extension focused on tomatoes for tips & information on pesky problems you might have! 🍅🍅🍅

Much success in growing tomatoes can be attributed to use of a few proven techniques. Choosing a variety that has proven to be a true performer should be at the top of every gardener's list. Better Boy, Whopper, Celebrity, and Mountain Pride are among some of the best selections. Better Boy, Celebri...

09/02/2026

Sept. 1 in zone 8b and our heat indexes are over 100 this week 😀 here are some things you can concentrate on this month…
☀️ You can divide perennials such as hostas, daylilies, and Shasta daisies 
🪴 You can start making a plan to bring your house plants inside
🥦 You can transplant fall brasicas into the ground, such as broccoli, cabbage, kale, collards, cauliflower, brussels sprouts so they can go ahead and get established, but be sure to mulch around them and keep them watered because of the heat 
🥬 You can direct sow greens such as spinach, lettuce, arugula, mustard greens, and Swiss chard, but be sure to shade them to avoid the severe heat 
🥕 You can direct sow carrots, beets, turnips, and radishes
🍇 It’s time to harvest muscadine grapes, sweet potatoes, okra, and peas
🌱 If you have raised beds or in the ground (and you’re not planting vegetables) you can do a cover crop such as clover, winter rye, or vetch to build the soil during the winter
🧑‍🌾 Happy Gardening! We have such a great growing season here in Eastern NC! ❤️

08/29/2026

📅📆MARK YOUR CALENDARS! TELL YOUR FRIENDS! 📅📆

The EMGV of Lenoir County's Pumpkin Day is set for Friday, October 23rd from 9am - 12noon at the Lenoir County Livestock Arena! (1791 HWY 11 Kinston, NC 28504)

*this event is geared towards elementary school aged youth
*please SCAN the code on the flyer OR call the office (252-527-2191) to register your participants!

08/26/2026

We are making "throwback Wednesday" a thing, and will continue to do so for the next few Wednesdays!

Over the summer, 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐧'𝐬 𝐆𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐧, that is managed and maintained by the Extension Master Gardener Volunteers of Lenoir County, hosted over 75 participants in our horticulture camps! Each Wednesday a new theme brought to life a different set of crafts, story read, vegetables & herbs to harvest, and new tasty garden treats!

To kick start the garden camps, 𝙂𝙖𝙧𝙙𝙚𝙣 𝙀𝙭𝙥𝙡𝙤𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 was the first summer camp theme on Wednesday, July 1st! We only had one youth participant, and we continued with camp as she was so excited to be at the garden! She heard "Hero's of the Vegetable Patch" by Stark/Ramel and discussed garden manners. She and EMGVs explored the garden, created a nature bracelet, and also were able to harvest produce. New seeds were planted in a raised bed with her help, as well as tasty cucumber sandwiches and strawberry shortcakes were made during snack time! Although it was one youth participant, it was a great morning full of laughter and all things horticulture!

If you haven't visited the Children's Garden, what are you waiting for?! 2612 W Vernon Ave Kinston, NC 28504

08/19/2026

National Honeybee Day was celebrated at the Farmers Market by our Neuse Regional Beekeepers and the Extension Master Gardener Volunteers of Lenoir County this past Saturday! 🐝🍯

The Beekeepers thrilled both children and adults with a live honeybee hive and a honey extraction demonstration. They also offered tastes of different honeys with chocolate being a favorite. Children were treated to a honey bear bottle of honey and interesting handouts on bees and honey.

The Extension Master Gardeners offered information on pollinator plants with several on display as well as hand outs and coloring sheets for the children and adults who stopped by. The opportunity to make a bee watering cup using a seashell and drift wood was enjoyed by all ages. 💧🪵

There was good discussions about the importance of bees and planting pollinators for the bees. 🌼

Both organizations expressed thanks for the people who stopped by and decided this year’s celebration was one of the best! A big thank you also to the Lenoir County Cooperative Extension Service for their support of the Beekeepers , Extension Master Gardeners and the Farmers Market!

08/19/2026

MARK YOUR CALENDARS! 📆📌

Join us on September 19th at the Lenoir County's Farmers Market for our Fall Plant Sale! We will have houseplants, bulbs, and more! 📍📆

*cash & check only*

08/18/2026

Check out Mike Parkers column feature the Children's Garden and then come see it for yourself! 🌱🐦

2612 W Vernon Ave Kinston, NC! 📍

Three years ago, the N.C. State Master Gardeners started the Lenoir County Children’s Garden near the museum at the Richard Caswell Memorial at 2612 West Vernon Avenue in Kinston.