NC State Extension Master Gardener Volunteers, Mecklenburg County

10/09/2026

Local treasures that need our help

When someone mentions bees to you, do you think of honeybees? If you do, you are not alone. These natives of Europe, Africa, and parts of Asia were introduced to the US in the 1620s and are widely used in agriculture. Honeybees and their colony loss have made the big headlines over the last several years, however honeybees are not at risk of extinction.
Unfortunately, the same is not true for our native bees. There are over 3,600 bee species native to North America, more than 560 here in North Carolina. The deadly trio of habitat loss, pesticides and climate change combine to place some of these species at risk.

Read the rest of the article here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YDQwMXMd_qKU6d6GMKX6RFLwd1Aq6sW5/view?usp=sharing

09/30/2026

What is Leave Your Leaves?
Every fall, trees naturally shed their leaves as they prepare for winter. Instead of blowing, raking, bagging, and removing them, Leave Your Leaves encourages residents to let leaves work naturally in the landscape.

Leaving fallen leaves where they are can benefit your yard, or you can move them into garden beds, around trees, or into other planted areas.

https://www.charlottenc.gov/City-Government/Departments/General-Services/Landscape-Management/Pollinator-Gardening/Leave-Your-Leaves

09/24/2026

Autumn to Winter Containers

With the shorter days and cooler temperatures of September, it’s time to start thinking about fall/winter season containers!
There are so many plants to choose from. Instead of using just mums and pansies, shake it up by choosing plants that give height, color and texture to your containers.

Read the whole article here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bFSeGk4a9P-Q5gW6DjuURXTD7Vt9wt-V/view?usp=sharing

09/15/2026

Pet Friendly Urban Xeriscaping

Your dog doesn't care about your water bill, but a smart xeriscape can help both, while keeping paws happy and runoff out of the storm drain. The formula: one durable pet path, one easy cleanup zone, and planted filter areas that soak up whatever rain (or hose water) comes their way. Research found well-planned xeriscapes can cut water use by up to 50%.

Read the full article and more here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bFSeGk4a9P-Q5gW6DjuURXTD7Vt9wt-V/view?usp=sharing

09/14/2026

Yay!!!

YOU ASKED, WE LISTENED! You can finally recycle ​plastic fruit and takeout containers, plastic drink and yogurt cups, and paper cups.

You read that right — you can now recycle these items in your curbside bin! Make sure they’re:
- CLEAN: No food or sticky residue left in the containers or cups.
- LOOSE: Don’t bag the items, just drop them directly in your bin.
- DRY: Make sure there’s no liquid left behind, including water from rinsing the recyclables.

The only other items you can recycle in your curbside bin are plastic bottles and jugs, cardboard, paper cups and cartons, paper and magazines, metal cans, & glass bottles and jars.

Help us spread the word and learn more about what you can recycle at home at WipeOutWaste.com.

09/07/2026

For more information, check out the September edition of the Garden Zone: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bFSeGk4a9P-Q5gW6DjuURXTD7Vt9wt-V/view?usp=drive_link

09/04/2026

🌿 Pollinator in the Park: Queenie Visits Mountain Mint! 🐝
This month, Queenie is spending time on our beautiful Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum). These herbaceous perennials are part of the mint family and are true pollinator magnets!
North Carolina is home to 19 native species of Mountain Mint, found from the coast all the way into the Piedmont and mountain regions. The genus name comes from Greek roots meaning “dense flowers,” which you can see in full display in our garden.
Want to learn more? Explore this month’s feature in The Garden Zone:
https://mecklenburg.ces.ncsu.edu/nc-state-extension-master-gardener-program/

08/28/2026

Who ya gonna call?
Seriously though, if you need help diagnosing garden issues, let us know. We are here to help.

08/17/2026

Check our website for more details: https://mecklenburg.ces.ncsu.edu/news/the-great-southeast-pollinator-census-in-mecklenburg-county/

08/14/2026

Join us in some citizen science! Let’s count the bugs!!

Help Keep Charlotte Beautiful and Charlotte's Bee City Committee spot more pollinators than any other city in the south! Come out to our three public gardens, receive a token at each site, and turn in two or more of them to Birdsong Brewing after the event for a free beverage or Bee City Charlotte sticker! 🐝🦋🌻

- Time and date: Saturday, August 22, 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
- Locations: Veterans Park, Reid Park, and Tuckaseegee Arboretum & Gardens.
- Learn more and register here or the link in our bio: https://bit.ly/4hdVWKQ