2025 Gardening Classes

Join u s for a wide selection of gardening classes!

Backyard Maple Syrup
Saturday, January 11th
Master Gardener Volunteer Program | Cornell Cooperative Extension | Orange County

Join us in January to learn how to make your own Maple Syrup!

Understanding Healthy Soil
Saturday, February 22nd
Master Gardener Volunteer Program | Cornell Cooperative Extension | Orange County

Join us in February to learn more about what it takes to develop and maintain healthy soil!

Shiitake Mushroom Cultivation
Saturday, March 1st
Master Gardener Volunteer Program | Cornell Cooperative Extension | Orange County

Join us this March to learn how you can grow your own shiitake mushrooms!

Pruning
Saturday, March 8th
Master Gardener Volunteer Program | Cornell Cooperative Extension | Orange County

Join us this March to learn how to properly prune your trees and shrubs!

Vegetable Gardening
Saturday, March 29th
Master Gardener Volunteer Program | Cornell Cooperative Extension | Orange County

Join us to learn all about vegetable gardening, from seed to harvest!

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2025 Gardening Classes

  • Saturday, January 11, 2025, 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
  • Saturday, February 22, 2025, 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
  • Saturday, March 1, 2025, 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
  • Saturday, March 8, 2025, 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
  • Saturday, March 29, 2025, 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
  • Saturday, April 26, 2025, 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
  • Saturday, May 24, 2025, 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
  • Saturday, June 14, 2025, 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
  • Saturday, September 13, 2025, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
  • Saturday, October 25, 2025, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Join us for our 2025 Gardening Classes!

Taught by our Master Gardener Volunteers classes will be held on Saturdays @ 10:00 am, unless otherwise noted. Sign-up for as many classes as you would like.


2025 Gardening Classes

Date & Time Topic Description
Saturday, January 11th @ 10:00 am Backyard Maple Syrup

During this class we will introduce you to the process of maple syrup creation and teach you how to make real maple syrup as we touch briefly on the history of syrup production, discuss tree identification, learn about tree tapping, and the collection and processing of sap into syrup. 

In the event of inclement weather, this class will be held virtually via Zoom

Saturday, February 22nd @ 10:00 am Understanding Healthy Soil This class delves into the hidden world beneath our feet, exploring the fundamental principles of understanding and cultivating healthy soil. Participants will embark on a journey through soil science, learning about its composition, structure, and the dynamic interactions between microorganisms, plants, and the environment.

The course emphasizes sustainable practices, teaching students how to enhance soil fertility, prevent erosion, and mitigate pollution. Students will gain the knowledge needed to make informed decisions about soil health in various contexts, from agriculture to landscaping.

In the event of inclement weather, this class will be held virtually via Zoom.
Saturday, March 1st @ 10:00 am Shiitake Mushroom Cultivation

Learn about the history, benefits, and proven best practices for growing Shiitake mushrooms on logs at home or for small scale commercial use. 

In the event of inclement weather, this class will be held virtually via Zoom.

Saturday, March 8th @ 10:00 am Pruning

Pruning is easy when you can identify how a plant grows, understand the purpose of pruning, and know proven pruning techniques. This class is designed to provide a solid base in the science and practice of selective pruning so you can enhance the beauty and vigor of your shrubs and trees. 

In the event of inclement weather, this class will be held virtually via Zoom.

Saturday, March 29th @ 10:00 am Vegetable Gardening

During this class you will learn all about vegetable gardening from deciding where to put your garden to when to harvest your bounty.You will also learn about numerous crops that grow well in our area, how and when to plant them, and how to care for your garden throughout the year. 

In the event of inclement weather, this class will be held virtually via Zoom.

Saturday, April 26th @ 10:00 am
Integrating Native Plants in Your Garden

Native plants can enhance your garden by adding structure, color, and texture, as well as food for native fauna such as pollinators and birds.During this class we will explore plants native to our region and how you can successfully integrate them into your current gardens transforming them into beautiful native sanctuaries.

Please bring photos, site plans, and plant lists from your current gardens. After a short presentation we will work together to develop a multi-year plan to integrate natives throughout the landscape.

Saturday, May 24th @ 10:00 am
Home Composting

Not sure what to do with your kitchen, garden, and yard scraps? Would you like to start composting at home? Come learn the basics of home composting including what, where, and how to compost. We also will provide proven suggestions for your home compost bin design and discuss vermicomposting (composting with worms).

Saturday, June 14th @ 10:00 am
Creating a Wildflower Meadow

Turning a lawn into a wildflower meadow, a beautiful, interactive plant community made up of native flowers, grasses and sedges, can be a rewarding, creative process. Not only do wildflower meadows attract pollinators and help the environment, they also provide important ecosystem services like infiltration and filtration of stormwater, and nutrient recycling. While most of the work is done during the first year, when planning and planting, it can take a few years to ensure its success. Come learn how to establish a wildflower meadow in your yard — choosing a site, selecting plant species, planting, maintenance, long term expectations.

Saturday, September 13th @ 10:00 am

All about Trees!

Come learn all about trees — planting, fertilizing, watering, mulching, pruning etc. After an hour long lecture learning the basics, we’ll take an hour long walk around our campus learning how to identify trees and seeing how proper and improper care affects their growth. This class will take place rain or shine, so please dress appropriately.

Saturday, October 25th @ 10:00 am Lawn Elimination and Reduction

Picturesque lawns require vast inputs of time, energy, lawn care products, and water, but offer little wildlife habitat or food for people. This program will cover the basics of lawn reduction or elimination for the homeowner. We will discuss your goals, budgeting time and money, site assessment and site preparation, as well as the selection of appropriate plant material, including tips for establishing a wildflower meadow.

Fee

$10 per class / $0 per class (solidarity pricing for those who cannot pay at this time)

Register

http://weblink.donorperfect.com/CCEGARDENINGWORKSHOPS25

Contact

Katy Boula
Master Gardener Program Coordinator
keb332@cornell.edu
(845) 344-1234, Ext. 240

Location

Cornell Cooperative Extension Orange County
18 Seward Avenue
Suite 300 (third floor)
Middletown, New York 10940

Last updated December 18, 2024