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Winter gardening tips for Raleigh

A large greenhouse with plenty of plants and greenery.
Logan’s Garden Shop has a large greenhouse selection. | Photo by RALtoday
Be-leaf it or not, January is a good time to get gardening. Now is the time to shop seeds, do some routine maintenance, and even sow certain plants.

Spring for seeds

Peruse seed catalogs and grab those springtime favorites that are so popular they tend to sell out come the thaw. We’re talking seeds like snap peas, radishes, specialty lettuces, and heirloom tomatoes. You can also get your wishlist going for the spring planting of fall bulbs like hostas, gladiolas, and dahlias.

Check out these local spots to nab your favorites:

Get growing

While you’re at the nursery, grab some seeds that you can plant right now (or, at least, very soon). Use this tool to calculate when to sow some of these early-season crops:
  • Beans
  • Beets
  • Broccoli
  • Cabbage
  • Kale
  • Lettuce
Can’t wait for that final frost date? Now is a good time to prep your seed trays. Clean and organize your trays, then sow these plants indoors with a growing light to be moved outdoors when the time is right.

Routine maintenance

Every green thumb knows that a garden is more than just its plants. Here’s your winter checklist:
  • Trim and tidy | Toss out any plants that didn’t survive last year and start fresh.
  • Take care of your tools | Sharpen your pruners and clean your trowels or treat yourself to a new tool set.
  • Test your soil | Apply your compost, but don’t forget to test your soil to make sure you aren’t missing any nutrients. A soil test kit can help you out here.
  • Prepare for frost | Be prepared for any cold fronts by making sure your watering system is ready for any deep freezes and stocking up on row covers.
  • Plan your beds | Get out your graph paper and dream up your ideal garden.
  • Join a local gardening group | Check out the Raleigh Garden Club Facebook group for activities and events.
What was your most successful plant last year? Lettuce know and you might be featured in an upcoming newsletter.

Click here to have your event featured.

Friday, Jan. 13
  • Reading Country: Music and Prose | Friday, Jan. 13 | 7 p.m. | NC Museum of History, 5 E. Edenton St., Raleigh | Free | Listen to this talk featuring Dr. Francesca Royster, author of “Black Country Music: Listening for Revolutions.”
  • Adam Knight’s Buried Alive (Phish Tribute) | Friday, Jan. 13 | 8:30 p.m. | Lincoln Theatre, 126 E. Cabarrus St., Raleigh | $14-$120 | Enjoy two sets of tribute performances with a full light show.
  • Teen Coffee House | Friday, Jan. 13 | 6-8 p.m. | NCMA, 2110 Blue Ridge Rd., Raleigh | Free | Register to attend this night of open mic performances, live music, winter crafts, and a hot chocolate bar for teens ages 13-18.
Saturday, Jan. 14
  • Soul Yoga | Saturday, Jan. 14 | 9:30-10:30 a.m. | CAM Raleigh, 409 W. Martin St., Raleigh | $15 | Enjoy a relaxing flow surrounded by art.
  • Winter Farmers’ Market | Saturday, Jan. 14 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | The Commons, 4321 Lassiter at North Hills Ave., Raleigh | Free | Shop produce, seafood, meats, and baked goods at this mini market.
  • Geek and Grub Market | Saturday, Jan. 14 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | Fred Fletcher Park, 820 Clay St., Raleigh | Free | Dress up in your favorite viking or pirate attire and enjoy fun sea raider-themed competitions and activities.
  • 2023 MLK Dreamfest Celebration | Saturday, Jan. 14 | 6 p.m. | Cary Arts Center, 101 Dry Ave., Cary | Free | Watch performances from groups like the NCCU Repertory Dance Co. and learn from featured keynote speaker Dr. Harry L. White Jr.
Sunday, Jan. 15
We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
100+ MORE EVENTS

Now leasing: Urban escape in the city of Oaks 👀

7K5A3332.jpg
Find a studio, one-, two-, or three-bedroom apartment home to suit your lifestyle. | Photo provided by Solis Hills
Solis Hills, managed by Greystar, provides a soothing escape from the Triangle’s trademark hustle and bustle — in fact, the luxury apartments were thoughtfully designed with tranquility in mind and feature personal touches that help you channel zen mode when at home (think: natural color palettes, contemporary designs, and matte black fixtures yes, please).

Explore the neighborhood and take a virtual tour, or schedule an in-person visit and see for yourself — leases are now available for March 2023. (Read: No time ‘til you can call this space yours.)*
SEE MORE OF SOLIS HILLS

Weather
  • 54º | Partly cloudy | 20% chance of rain
Coming Soon
  • Yeehaw, Raleigh. Tecovas, an Austin, TX-based Western-style footwear and apparel brand, is opening a location in the Main District of North Hills. The retailer specializes in handmade cowboy boots and ranch wear. An opening date has not yet been announced. (Triangle Business Journal)
Travel
  • According to a report from GoTriangle, the proposed Greater Triangle Commuter Rail could cost as much as $3.2 billion. The new rail system would help with commuter congestion with its 15 stations along approx. 43 miles in NC between West Durham and Clayton. A public comment period is open now until Feb. 19. 🚊
Community
  • Have you noticed purple or blue-ish streetlights in your neighborhood? The colors aren’t on purpose. According to The News & Observer, older streetlights turn purple because of a manufacturing error. Help Duke Energy identify these purple hazed lights by filing a report. 💡
Cause
  • The V Foundation for Cancer Research announced that registration is now open for its sixth annual Victory Ride to Cure Cancer. The charity ride on Saturday, May 2 will begin and end at Knightdale Station Park and will offer 10-, 30-, and 60-mile distances. Register for your ride.
Try This
  • Oaks and Spokes is hosting its annual member party and board elections on Friday, Jan. 20. Learn about what the nonprofit has been up to, listen to guest speakers from the City of Raleigh’s Transportation Department, and snack on goodies from Transfer Co. Food Hall. Psst... the party is open to non-members, too. 🚲
Plan Ahead
  • Join the NC Museum of History for its annual African American Cultural Celebration on Saturday, Jan. 28. From 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., learn about the past and present contributions of African Americans to NC’s history and culture through presentations, demonstrations, and music.
Feel Good
  • Yesterday, A Place at the Table was gifted $10,000 on “The Kelly Clarkson Show.” Founder Maggie Kane was honored on the show’s “Good Neighbor of the Year” segment along with a few other members from the Table crew. Watch here. 🎉 (WRAL)
Number
  • $3.4 billion. That’s how much was invested into Triangle-based startups in 2022. This record-high number is a 16.5% jump from 2021. A large portion of the funds raised — we’re talking $2 billion — were allocated to Cary-based Epic Games. (Axios Raleigh)
Wellness
Home
  • Did you know poor air quality in your home can make you sick? Raleigh-based Air Experts shares 10 ways to improve your home’s air qualityand help you breathe easier in 2023.*
Family
  • Birthday party planning hack: Activity-based parties are always more fun. Don’t take it from us — just ask boutique bowling center Strike & Barrel. With tons of interactive games, big-screen TVs, and a tasty food + drink menu, they’ve mastered the art of a memorable party. (Adults love it too, thanks to the full bar + 1 a.m. close time.) Start planning.*
Content marked with an * is brought to you by our advertising partners and helps make this newsletter free.

Events

Local volunteer opportunities for MLK Day

Two ladies taping up boxes smiling
Volunteering can bring a smile to your face and to others. | Photo provided by God’s Pantry Food Bank
Each year, Martin Luther King Jr. Day is observed as a federal holiday on the third Monday of January — Jan. 16 this year. The theme for this year is “Cultivating a Beloved Community Mindset to Transform Unjust Systems,” according to The King Centera nonprofit founded by MLK’s wife, Coretta Scott King, to continue Dr. King’s legacy.

If you have time to dedicate to our community, here are three local volunteer opportunities:
  • Note in the Pocket | Volunteer as a group or individual to sort and fold clothes at this nonprofit providing quality clothing to children + families.
  • Habitat for Humanity | Help build homes for the community or volunteer at one of the ReStore locations.
  • Wake County Public Libraries | Become an ambassador for library programming or donate gently-used books to your nearest WCPL.
Looking for other ways to get involved? Check out more local volunteer opportunities at the link below.
30+ VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Cat.

Editor’s pick: Today is Friday the 13th, and while I’m not superstitious, I am a little stitious. Check out Triangle on the Cheap’s spooky list of ways to celebrate this unlucky day in the Triangle. 🐈‍⬛

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Meet the Triangle’s Good Food Awards finalists.
Connect with us.

Editorial: Cat George, Anne Tate, Erin McPherson, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

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