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.
Late winter is the perfect time to start planning for summer gardens and what better way to start than with the Basics of Vegetable Gardening class! Come prepared to learn about what it takes to start growing your own vegetables in our area. Join experienced teacher and former director, John Murphy, as he guides you through vegetable gardening basics.
Liberation Tools is a cooperative subset of the 501c3 nonprofit Soul & Soil Project based in the unceded Tsalagi (Cherokee) territory of Western North Carolina.
Our mission is to build a collective that sustainably and skillfully crafts quality tools used for growing food, and freely distributes them to Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. To support these efforts, we sell these tools for twice the cost of producing one, thereby allowing people with accumulated wealth to access high quality tools by also paying for an identical tool to be sent to a BIPOC land steward.
Shamanic Roots in Celtic Folklore: Southern Scotland
Join us for an enchanting online event as we delve into the mystical world of Shamanic Roots in Celtic Folklore, focusing on the captivating traditions of Southern Scotland. Discover the ancient wisdom and practices that have survived through generations, offering a unique insight into the rich tapestry of Celtic culture that endures in these lands.
Immerse yourself in a virtual journey through time, exploring the hidden realms of Scottish folklore. Our storyteller will share their knowledge and experiences, shedding light on the ancient shamanic practices that have shaped the region’s folkways.
From tales of mythical humans to ancient deities, this event will transport you to a world where magic and reality intertwine. Gain a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness between humans, nature, and the spiritual realm.
Whether you’re a curious beginner or a seasoned enthusiast, this event offers a unique opportunity to connect with the ancient wisdom of Southern Scotland. Don’t miss out on this captivating journey into the Shamanic Roots of Celtic Folklore!
Liberation Tools is a cooperative subset of the 501c3 nonprofit Soul & Soil Project based in the unceded Tsalagi (Cherokee) territory of Western North Carolina.
Our mission is to build a collective that sustainably and skillfully crafts quality tools used for growing food, and freely distributes them to Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. To support these efforts, we sell these tools for twice the cost of producing one, thereby allowing people with accumulated wealth to access high quality tools by also paying for an identical tool to be sent to a BIPOC land steward.
Agroforestry and food forests are terms describing a diverse planting of edible plants that attempts to mimic the ecosystems and patterns found in nature for a variety of social and environmental benefits. If you don’t know much about agroforestry, we have great news — we are starting our second agroforestry project at the SAHC Community Farm.
Along with Contour Lines Corp we will be leading the planting of a 3-acre diversified food forest which will feature a number of fruit trees and native support trees planted on contour in a system of berms and swales. This is a unique demonstration project on conservation land, which will be managed in perpetuity so that we can all learn about the numerous benefits and beauty of perennial agroforestry and food forest systems.
Folks will receive a solid introduction on how to plan and plant a food forest agroforestry site that includes hundreds of fruit and support trees on a berm and swale contour system. Some species we will be planting include Black Locust, Willow, Cottonwood, Elderberry, Mulberry, Persimmon, Apple, Pear, Blueberry, Fig and Peaches.
Join us, rain or shine, for all or any part of the day to learn, observe, and take part in planting if you choose. Please bring a water bottle, gloves, raincoat/work clothes if you’re planting; tools will be provided.
Lunch will be provided midway between our morning classroom portion, and then the rest of the day will be hands-on work.
Pre-registration is requested. Suggested donation $20; no one turned away for inability to pay.
SAHC received a $6,000 Catalyzing Agroforestry Grant to support this project, and nonprofit organization Contour Lines Corp. (contourlines.org) is donating plant material, design and expertise for hands-on workshops to help execute the silvopasture project on the SAHC Community Farm. The Catalyzing Agroforestry Grants Program is an initiative funded by the Appalachian Beginning Forest Farming Coalition (ABFFC) and Edwards Mother Earth Foundation (EMEF) that is managed by Virginia Tech University in partnership with Rural Action, Appalachian Sustainable Development, The Yew Mountain Center, North Carolina State University.
Liberation Tools is a cooperative subset of the 501c3 nonprofit Soul & Soil Project based in the unceded Tsalagi (Cherokee) territory of Western North Carolina.
Our mission is to build a collective that sustainably and skillfully crafts quality tools used for growing food, and freely distributes them to Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. To support these efforts, we sell these tools for twice the cost of producing one, thereby allowing people with accumulated wealth to access high quality tools by also paying for an identical tool to be sent to a BIPOC land steward.
Liberation Tools is a cooperative subset of the 501c3 nonprofit Soul & Soil Project based in the unceded Tsalagi (Cherokee) territory of Western North Carolina.
Our mission is to build a collective that sustainably and skillfully crafts quality tools used for growing food, and freely distributes them to Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. To support these efforts, we sell these tools for twice the cost of producing one, thereby allowing people with accumulated wealth to access high quality tools by also paying for an identical tool to be sent to a BIPOC land steward.
-Bareroot Trees and Shrubs: $3-5
-Grasses: $2-5
-Berries/apples: $6-10
Liberation Tools is a cooperative subset of the 501c3 nonprofit Soul & Soil Project based in the unceded Tsalagi (Cherokee) territory of Western North Carolina.
Our mission is to build a collective that sustainably and skillfully crafts quality tools used for growing food, and freely distributes them to Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. To support these efforts, we sell these tools for twice the cost of producing one, thereby allowing people with accumulated wealth to access high quality tools by also paying for an identical tool to be sent to a BIPOC land steward.
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Liberation Tools is a cooperative subset of the 501c3 nonprofit Soul & Soil Project based in the unceded Tsalagi (Cherokee) territory of Western North Carolina.
Our mission is to build a collective that sustainably and skillfully crafts quality tools used for growing food, and freely distributes them to Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. To support these efforts, we sell these tools for twice the cost of producing one, thereby allowing people with accumulated wealth to access high quality tools by also paying for an identical tool to be sent to a BIPOC land steward.
Liberation Tools is a cooperative subset of the 501c3 nonprofit Soul & Soil Project based in the unceded Tsalagi (Cherokee) territory of Western North Carolina.
Our mission is to build a collective that sustainably and skillfully crafts quality tools used for growing food, and freely distributes them to Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. To support these efforts, we sell these tools for twice the cost of producing one, thereby allowing people with accumulated wealth to access high quality tools by also paying for an identical tool to be sent to a BIPOC land steward.
This presentation is designed for adults of the general public and assumes no prior knowledge of pollinators. You’ll learn about pollination and pollinators overall, as well as the most common pollinators in Western North Carolina. These topics are followed by a discussion of conservation concerns and simple steps you can take to help pollinators. The session wraps up with the fascinating concept of pollination syndromes and how you can use them to participate in pollinator conservation.
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Liberation Tools is a cooperative subset of the 501c3 nonprofit Soul & Soil Project based in the unceded Tsalagi (Cherokee) territory of Western North Carolina.
Our mission is to build a collective that sustainably and skillfully crafts quality tools used for growing food, and freely distributes them to Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. To support these efforts, we sell these tools for twice the cost of producing one, thereby allowing people with accumulated wealth to access high quality tools by also paying for an identical tool to be sent to a BIPOC land steward.
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ONSITE | Three Sessions: Wednesdays, March 6, 20 & April 3, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Instructor: Nina Shippen
$145 Non-member Adult**
(**Arboretum Members receive a 10% discount on all classes.)
BREG – Core
Limit: 30
Ecological gardening is a way of thinking about the designed landscape in which gardens are no longer seen as a collection of plants, but as a community of complex interdependencies among plants, soils, environment and animals. Ecology-based methods used in design, site assessment, planning, planting and management are all covered in this comprehensive overview class. Gardeners of all levels of interest and ability will find this informative and interactive class valuable for learning ecologically-sustainable practices for adapting and applying in gardening in a variety of landscapes.
The class is a core requirement for the Arboretum’s Blue Ridge Eco Gardener Certificate of Merit program. An asynchronous version of this class is open from March 6 through May 31 in 2024.
Planting in a Post-Wild World: Designing Plant Communities for Resilient Landscapes by Thomas Rainer and Claudia West and Nature’s Best Hope: A New Approach to Conservation That Starts in Your Yard by Doug Tallamy are recommended texts. Available in the Arboretum’s Connections Gallery with student member discount.
Nina Shippen practices residential landscape and garden design through her company Hidden Road Landscape Design, which focuses on coupling the principles of healing gardens with sound ecologic practices to create satisfying gardens for her clients. A graduate of the landscape design program at the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Studies, she has lived and gardened in Transylvania County since 2005.
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Liberation Tools is a cooperative subset of the 501c3 nonprofit Soul & Soil Project based in the unceded Tsalagi (Cherokee) territory of Western North Carolina.
Our mission is to build a collective that sustainably and skillfully crafts quality tools used for growing food, and freely distributes them to Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. To support these efforts, we sell these tools for twice the cost of producing one, thereby allowing people with accumulated wealth to access high quality tools by also paying for an identical tool to be sent to a BIPOC land steward.
Presenters: John Bowen, Extension Master GardenerSM Volunteer
Are you ready to open those seed packets and start growing your spring transplants?
John Bowen, Extension Master GardenerSM Volunteer and long-time gardener, will share tips and tricks for starting your seeds indoors. He will talk about containers, planting media, lights, temperature, and other parts of the process to grow those healthy, robust transplants we all need. He’ll also discuss timing and help us learn when to plant for the best outcome.
Registration: The talk is free, but seating is limited and registration is required. Please click on the link below to register. If you encounter problems registering or if you have questions, call 828-255-5522.
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Liberation Tools is a cooperative subset of the 501c3 nonprofit Soul & Soil Project based in the unceded Tsalagi (Cherokee) territory of Western North Carolina.
Our mission is to build a collective that sustainably and skillfully crafts quality tools used for growing food, and freely distributes them to Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. To support these efforts, we sell these tools for twice the cost of producing one, thereby allowing people with accumulated wealth to access high quality tools by also paying for an identical tool to be sent to a BIPOC land steward.
Learn about the basics of perennial and dahlia culture. What is a perennial and what makes them special in the garden? How can you get free plants from your current perennials? These questions and so much more will be covered. We will also have a demo on how to divide perennials. Presented by Isaac Wyatt, Agricultural Program Assistant with Henderson County Extension, will teach the basics of perennial and dahlia culture.
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ASAP’s CSA Fair is a chance to meet local farmers and learn about CSAs (Community Supported Agriculture) in our area. By joining a CSA, you get a weekly box of fresh, locally grown produce, meats, flowers, or other local products—and provide a farmer with valuable financial support before the season starts. Talk to farmers about how their CSA works, what products they offer, their farm’s growing practices, payment options, and more. Attendees can sign up for a CSA during the fair or follow up with farmers later. This fair will also have local food tastings and activities for kids, as well as produce and food products available for purchase.
Visit asapconnections.org/find-local-food/csa for more details.
Liberation Tools is a cooperative subset of the 501c3 nonprofit Soul & Soil Project based in the unceded Tsalagi (Cherokee) territory of Western North Carolina.
Our mission is to build a collective that sustainably and skillfully crafts quality tools used for growing food, and freely distributes them to Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. To support these efforts, we sell these tools for twice the cost of producing one, thereby allowing people with accumulated wealth to access high quality tools by also paying for an identical tool to be sent to a BIPOC land steward.
Please bring a reusable plate and utensils.Bountiful Cities Community Garden Network Co-Coordinator
Potluck will immediately follow workshop
Please Register in advance for our Spring Seed Starting Workshop March 9th, from 2-3:30 at Grove Street Community Center.
In this workshop, we will focus on where to source seeds, how to preserve them through the seasons, and simple steps to determine the viability of a seed. We will explore simple solutions to the cold and ensure your plants survive the early season.
Come ready to get dirty and plant some seedlings!
Please bring seeds, gloves, pots, and hand trowels. If you’re not able to attend the workshop, Click this LINK for some reminders to help you have the most success with your seeds this year!
For the potluck please bring a dish to share and your own eating utensils. We will provide some too, just in case!
Have your garden and plant questions answered. There are three ways to contact the Master Gardener Helpline:
Call 828-255-5522
Email questions and photos to [email protected] or stop by the extension office hours:
Mondays – 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Tuesdays – 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Thursdays – 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Joining a CSA (or Community Supported Agriculture) program connects you directly with local farms in your community. Members buy a “share” of a farm’s harvest upfront and receive a weekly box of fresh produce or other farm goods. The best time to sign up for a CSA is in February and early March—prompting ASAP to declare Feb. 15 to March 15 to be CSA Month. CSA Month will include a social media campaign with CSA education and farmer features; digital tools for finding CSA programs; and an in-person CSA Fair at the YWCA of Asheville on March 8 from 3 to 5:30 p.m.
The CSA Fair on March 8 highlights farms with a CSA pickup location in Buncombe County. In addition to traditional produce CSAs, the fair includes farms with specialty CSA products, such as meat or flowers. The fair is a relaxed, family-friendly setting where attendees chat with farmers about their products, growing practices, payment structure, and more. Attendees can sign up for a CSA during the fair or follow up with farmers later. The fair also features local food tastings and activities for kids, as well as produce and food products available for purchase. The event is free and open to the public. The YWCA is located at 185 S. French Broad Ave. in Asheville.
“CSA creates a resilient, family-based network that my farm can rely on year after year,” said Vannah Roddy of Encompass Farm, who has participated in the fair for several years. “Of all the marketing I do for my program, ASAP’s CSA fair is by far the one which provides the most direct results.”
Farms participating in the fair as of press time include A Way of Life Farm, Blazing Star Flowers, Crow Fly Farms, Encompass Farm, Hickory Nut Gap Farm, Oak Holler Farm, Olivette Farm, Seven Seeds Farm, ShipShape Farmer & Chef, and Stump Farms. Farms are subject to change before the event date.
For those unable to attend the fair or who are looking for a CSA outside of Buncombe County, online tools at asapconnections.org/csa help customers compare CSAs throughout the Appalachian Grown region, making it easier to choose a program that fits individual needs. The Appalachian Grown region includes Western North Carolina as well as bordering counties in South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, and Virginia.
Things customers could consider when choosing a CSA include convenient pickup times and locations; the farm’s growing practices; and appropriate share size (i.e., how much food). Some farms offer variations on the traditional CSA model, such as online selection, shorter commitment, or a market share (members pay upfront, but select their own produce at the farmers market each week).
ABOUT ASAP (APPALACHIAN SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE PROJECT)
ASAP’s mission is to help local farms thrive, link farmers to markets and supporters, and build healthy communities through connections to local food. To learn more, visit asapconnections.org.
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