Come along as we learn from local teachers and experts all about how to help your garden grow. We’ll explore a variety of topics, including soil health, seed starting, garden design, native plants, and all things veggies, with a little something for everyone. Attend just one session or come for the whole series!

The Hattie Meadows Gardening School is a free community learning project to spread knowledge and love of gardening. Classes will take place at the Stanford L. Warren Library from January through June 2026. This program is presented in partnership with Stanford L. Warren Library, Sarah P. Duke Gardens and Durham County Cooperative Extension and made possible by the Durham Library Foundation.

Click on the class titles below for more details and registration for April – June classes. The previous schedule of January – March classes is included at the bottom for reference. 

REGISTRATION IS HIGHLY RECOMMEND FOR ALL SESSIONS. Space is limited. All classes are free to the public. 

Upcoming Classes

Containers With a Purpose, Saturday, April 25th, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Presented by Teresa Speight, Author of Black Flora: Inspiring Profiles of Floriculture’s New Vanguard and owner of Cottage in the Court

Languages of the Land: Getting to Know Native Fiber and Dye Plants, Saturday, May 9th, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Presented by Adé Oni, founder of dìèdìè textile micromill and studio

History of Gardening: How Cultures, Events, and People Made Gardening What it is Today, Saturday, May 23rd, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Presented by Bryce Lane, NC State Alumni Distinguished Undergraduate Professor Emeritus and former host and producer three-time, Emmy winning, UNC TV public television show “In the Garden With Bryce Lane.”  

Water Features from Bird Baths to Ponds, Saturday, June 13th, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Presented by Sheldon Galloway, Owner and Head of Operations at Garden Environments

Essential Pruning Techniques: Into to The Gibson Method, Saturday, June 27th, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Presented by Mike Gibson, Topiary Artist and founder of Gibson Works Property Art

Who is Hattie Meadows?

After 30 years managing the home office cafeteria at North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Co, Year-Round Garden Club member Hattie Meadows (1885-1966) spent time every day in her garden. Her 60’x40’ backyard garden spread joy throughout Durham’s Linwood Ave community with its “abundance of color and fragrance…accomplished by diligent care,” according to an April 4, 1953 article in The Durham Sun. It was described in the article as “one of the most natural, compact and well-planned gardens we’ve seen in some time.” The garden gate, decorated by pink and white climbing roses, led to a rock garden, a circular pond with several species of fish and a neatly cultivated mixed border around colorfully meandering beds of annuals and perennials including over 60 varieties of roses, lemon and red bud trees, azaleas and more. The Year-Round Garden Club was part of the N.C. Federation of Garden Clubs, a black-led consortium of garden clubs, many of which are still active today in building community through spreading knowledge and joy of gardening.

Previous Classes (January – March 2026)

The Dirt on Soil, Saturday, January 10th, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Presented by Ashley Troth, PhD, Horticulture Agent, Durham County Cooperative Extension

Seed Starting, Saturday, January 31st, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Presented by Marcia Kirinus, Extension Master Gardener volunteer, Durham County

Design Thinking, Saturday, February 14th, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Presented by Stefan Bloodworth, Owner and Principal Designer at S3 design and former curator of the Blomquist Garden of Native Plants at Sarah P. Duke Gardens

Garden Design With Native Plants, Saturday, February 28th, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Presented by Sheldon Galloway, Owner and Head of Operations at Garden Environments

Vegetable Gardening Symposium, Saturday, March 14th, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

For this special half-day symposium, we’ll feature three speakers with a little something for everyone, from beginner to experienced veggie grower. Click above to register for the fully symposium.

Veggies 101 – 9:30 – 10:15 a.m., Presented by Ashley Troth, PhD, Horticulture Agent, Durham County Cooperative Extension

From Tomatoes to Turnips: Practical Tips for Planning Your Year-Round Vegetable Garden – 10:30 – 11:15 a.m., Presented by Molly Zimmerman, Extension Master Gardener volunteer, Durham County

Hearty Landscapes: Foodscaping for Joy, Beauty & Abundance – 11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m., Presented by Brittany Robinson-Wittenhill, Founder of Our Backyard, LLC

Photo Credits: Laurel Babcock, Mary Knierim, North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Company Archives