Join us on Saturdays at 10:00 am!

Learn more about how to reduce your waste by composting at home!

Learn how to use cover crops to protect the soil, add organic matter, provide aeration, and improve overall soil health

Integrating Native Plants
Saturday, April 18th

Learn how to beautify your garden and support native wildlife at the same time!

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2026 Gardening Classes

Saturday, January 10, 2026, 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Saturday, January 31, 2026, 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Saturday, January 31, 2026, 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Saturday, February 28, 2026, 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Saturday, March 7, 2026, 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Saturday, March 14, 2026, 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Saturday, March 28, 2026, 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Saturday, April 18, 2026, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Saturday, May 16, 2026, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Saturday, September 5, 2026, 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Saturday, October 3, 2026, 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Saturday, October 10, 2026, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Saturday, November 7, 2026, 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM

Join us for our 2026 Gardening Classes!

Taught by our Master Gardener Volunteers classes will be held on Saturdays @ 10:00 am.

Sign-up for as many classes as you would like.

2026 Gardening Classes

Date & Time Topic Description

Saturday, April 11th @ 10:00 am Cover Crops for the Home Vegetable Garden Cover crops are usually planted after an edible crop is harvested and are used to protect the soil surface.They can also add organic matter, provide aeration, and improve overall soil health.There are many different plants to choose from depending on the size of your garden, what your goals are, and timing.Join us as we explore different types of cover crops that can be used to protect and enhance the soil in your vegetable garden!

Saturday, April 18th @ 10:00 am Integrating Native Plants into the Home 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 16th @ 10:00 am Friend or Foe: Identifying and Managing Insects in your Garden In a healthy garden ecosystem, insect abound.Which ones are friends and which ones are foes?Learn how to attract insects friends and manage insect foes.Then take a walk outside and apply what you have learned!

Saturday, September 5th @ 10:00 am Introduction to Landscape Design Good garden design teaches you to see and work with your property, soil, architecture, terrain, and existing flora.Learn how to turn ideas into sustainable designs.

Saturday, October 3rd @ 10:00 am Putting the Garden to Bed Discover best practices for preparing your garden for winter. Learn which plants to cut back, which to leave for wildlife and protection, and how to guard plants against wind and deer damage.

Saturday, October 10th @ 10:00 am Lawn Elimination & 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.

Saturday, November 7th @ 10:00 am Native Grasses These often-overlooked plants provide texture, low-maintenance, and adaptability. Learn which species thrive in moist soils or dry landscapes, and how to use them effectively.

Fee

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

Register

https://wl.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E190538&id=919

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 April 4, 2026

2026 Master Gardener Volunteer Soil Sale

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The Master Gardener Volunteers are selling 2.8 cu. ft. bags of a professional growing mix called Premiere Pro Mix w/Mycorrhizae for $40.00 each.

All soil must be ordered ahead of time and picked up on Tuesday, April 7, 2026 between the hours of 8:00 am and 6:00 pm. Pick up will be at the CCE Orange County Office Building located at 18 Seward Avenue, Middletown, NY 10940.

Click here to order today!

Date & Time	Topic	Description
Saturday, April 11th @ 10:00 am	Cover Crops for the Home Vegetable Garden	Cover crops are usually planted after an edible crop is harvested and are used to protect the soil surface.They can also add organic matter, provide aeration, and improve overall soil health.There are many different plants to choose from depending on the size of your garden, what your goals are, and timing.Join us as we explore different types of cover crops that can be used to protect and enhance the soil in your vegetable garden!
Saturday, April 18th @ 10:00 am	Integrating Native Plants into the Home 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 16th @ 10:00 am	Friend or Foe: Identifying and Managing Insects in your Garden	In a healthy garden ecosystem, insect abound.Which ones are friends and which ones are foes?Learn how to attract insects friends and manage insect foes.Then take a walk outside and apply what you have learned!
Saturday, September 5th @ 10:00 am	Introduction to Landscape Design	Good garden design teaches you to see and work with your property, soil, architecture, terrain, and existing flora.Learn how to turn ideas into sustainable designs.
Saturday, October 3rd @ 10:00 am	Putting the Garden to Bed	Discover best practices for preparing your garden for winter. Learn which plants to cut back, which to leave for wildlife and protection, and how to guard plants against wind and deer damage.
Saturday, October 10th @ 10:00 am	Lawn Elimination & 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.
Saturday, November 7th @ 10:00 am	Native Grasses	These often-overlooked plants provide texture, low-maintenance, and adaptability. Learn which species thrive in moist soils or dry landscapes, and how to use them effectively.

Cornell Cooperative Extension

Orange County

Cornell Cooperative Extension

Orange County

2026 Gardening Classes

Join us for our 2026 Gardening Classes!