May is National Preservation Month: this year’s theme is “Discover America’s Hidden Gems.” Communities from coast to coast are filled with unexplored historic treasures—and May’s the month to celebrate them! Reach out to a growing audience of neighbors, tourists, students and preservationists by promoting historic places in your community, and encourage newcomers to learn more about your local preservation programs.

Click to Download printable Preservation Month List of Events [pdf/84kb2p].

Spring Home & Garden Series 

All programs are free and presented by agents of the Forsyth County Cooperative Extension Service and Master Gardeners from the community. Scheduled programs run through May. Each program lasts between an hour and an hour and a half with time for questions and answers at the conclusion. To register, email ude.uscnnull@relpeh_yhtak or call 336-703-2852.

Spring is on its way in Ardmore.  Here are some upcoming community events:

Friday, February 17, 2012 – 12:00am – Monday, February 20, 2012 – 12:00am             The Great Backyard Bird Count

The Great Backyard Bird Count is an annual four-day event that engages bird watchers of all ages in counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of where the birds are across the continent.  Anyone can participate, from beginning bird watchers to experts. It takes as little as 15 minutes on one day, or you can count for as long as you like each day of the event. It’s free, fun, and easy—and it helps the birds. For more information including printable regional bird tally sheets, click here.

Saturday, February 25, 2012 – 10:00am – 4:00pm – Nurturing A Sense of Wonder

How do we nurture a sense of wonder amidst the hustle and bustle of our everyday world? How can we bring the natural world inside our homes, centers and classrooms through storytelling, hands-on materials and games? This program is for Parents and Pre-K through 2nd Grade Educators, led by Sandy Bisdee, Naturalist/Educator at the Center for Education, Imagination and the Natural World. The program explores the growing separation between the child and the natural world and the consequences of this separation for the healthy development of the human child.

2012 Best Planting Dates for Seeds 

When determining the best planting dates for seeds, the date of the last spring frost is important to your success. Other factors can also influence planting dates, including soil temperature, altitude and slope of land, nearby waters, and day length. Keep records of your garden’s conditions each year to plan more accurately.

• Seeds for plants with a long growing season should be started indoors during the periods shown below.
• Seeds for plants sown in the ground should be planted during the periods shown.
• When no dates appear in the chart, that starting method is not recommended for the particular vegetable.
• To start transplants, check out almanac.com for their Best Dates to Transplant (by region).

Seven easy principles that help you create a healthy, beautiful landscape while protecting and caring for our environment

Landscape locally—select native or adapted plants suited to your climate, soil conditions, sun exposure, and available space

• Protect water and air quality
• Nurture the soil
• Conserve energy
• Conserve water
• Landscape for less to the landfill—minimize yard waste
• Create and protect wildlife habitat—plant to attract birds, bees, butterflies, beneficial insects

Courtesy of: Friendly Landscaping from Sacramento County UC Master Gardener projects

Join us on Thursday, October 13th at 7:00pm at Redeemer Presbyterian Church for the Ardmore Neighborhood Association Annual Meeting. Come and learn what is happening in your neighborhood!