Gardening Classes

Today more and more people are realizing the physical, social, and psychological benefits of working with nature, and home and community gardening is a great way to make that connection. Whether you are new to gardening or already working in the field, NYBG's gardening classes are a great place to increase your knowledge and improve your skills. Taught by top professionals, each course provides cutting-edge information on ecologically responsible garden care and design, including plant use, soil husbandry, composting, and pest control. Lectures are supported by hands-on study on the Garden's historic grounds. Enroll in a course for fun or pursue a Certificate.

Click here for an overview of the Certificate Program.


August

Discover how to get the best from a large array of hydrangeas that can bloom multiple times. Find out how to make these rebloomers sing with later season color. Hint: Pruning isn't always the way to improve plant performance.
261GAR145O 08/17 Su 10:00am-12:00pm Ballato
ONLINE

Choose the right plant for the right place, based on site-specific design and maintenance criteria. Learn landscape values such as size, texture, color, and flowering and fruiting seasons. Review trees, shrubs, groundcovers, annuals, and perennials suitable for this region.
261HRT358B 08/20 We 1:00pm-3:40pm Tyson-Strait
NYBG

Don't let a lack of sun cast a shadow on your garden! Find out which plants thrive in shady conditions while bringing charm and color. You'll see how to expand your palette from reliable standards such as hosta and plant more...
261GAR142 08/24 Su 10:30am-1:30pm Ballato
NYBG

September

Whether you live in a house with a backyard or an apartment with no access to green space, you can compost! Led by NYBG experts, this course will guide you through the fundamental principles of composting.
261AGA300EO 09/01 Mo 12:00am-11:59pm ONLINE-FLEX

Learn the essential pruning techniques for woody plants used by NYBG experts. In this course, our plant professionals will guide you through the key principles of pruning woody plants such as small trees and shrubs.
261PLT140C 09/01   ONLINE-FLEX

Myths abound about how hard it is to care for this ever-popular flowering plant. Dispel them with plenty of sensible advice on how to treat a variety of orchids including Phalaenopsis, Cattleya, Oncidium, Dendrobium, and more. Light, water, nutrients, repotting, more...
261GAR213O 09/08 Mo 6:00pm-8:00pm Satch
ONLINE

Design, plant, and harvest a cutting garden that's productive throughout the seasons. You'll get hands-on practice starting seeds to ensure you always have something fresh to cut. We'll cover traditional and unexpected annual and perennial cut flower species and varieties more...
261HRT142O 09/10 We 6:00pm-8:00pm Breyer
ONLINE

This user-friendly intro course surveys the major plant groups-flowering plants, conifers, ferns, and bryophytes-focusing on their form and structure. Become botanically literate and gain practical experience in dissecting and analyzing plant structures.
261HRT300GO 09/10 We 10:30am-12:30pm Day
ONLINE

Learn how to use native plants and native gardening practices to enhance garden ecosystems and increase biodiversity. Study native herbaceous and woody plants: their identification, habitat, and culture. Discover how to promote a healthy environment using native spring ephemerals, herbaceous more...
261GAR315B 09/13 Sa 10:00am-2:30pm Eierman, EcoBeneficial
NYBG

Pest identification is key to maintaining a healthy, beautiful garden. Learn to identify which insects are pests and which are beneficial to your home garden. Learn the most common orders of insects and the damage they can cause, as well more...
261GAR320O 09/13 Sa 10:00am-12:00pm Kokinchak
ONLINE

Choose the right plant for the right place, based on site-specific design and maintenance criteria. Learn landscape values such as size, texture, color, and flowering and fruiting seasons. Review trees, shrubs, groundcovers, annuals, and perennials suitable for this region.
261HRT358C 09/13 Sa 10:00am-12:40pm D'Antonio
NYBG

Explore the basics of successful, environmentally friendly gardening. Topics include soils and their improvement, seed sowing, vegetative propagation, planting, pruning, watering, weeding, mulching, and disease and pest control. This course is also required for the Therapeutic Horticulture Certificate.
261GAR301F 09/14 Su 10:00am-12:00pm Ruggiero
NYBG

Learn principles and techniques of plant propagation by seed and cuttings. Explore basic sexual and asexual propagation, focusing on fruit development, seedling production, root initiation, stem and leaf cuttings, and layering.
261HRT411B 09/16 Tu 5:30pm-8:30pm Weinstein
NYBG

It's essential to identify plant diseases before they become widespread in your garden. Explore the basics of disease management, and learn how the principles of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) can help you maintain a strong and healthy garden.

Note: This class more...
261GAR324BO 09/18 Th 6:00pm-8:00pm Kokinchak
ONLINE

Learn sustainable garden and landscape maintenance techniques, including planting methods, plant care, and maintenance regimens for trees, shrubs, lawn, and perennial gardens. Discuss site analysis and plant selection, organic gardening practices, and how to create a calendar of landscape and more...
261GAR440BO 09/18 Th 6:00pm-8:00pm Cappello-Ruggiero
ONLINE

Explore the many classifications of heirloom roses as you delve into their history, lore, and beauty. You'll gain a better understanding of the importance of this beloved flower type and why we must continue to grow and maintain them in more...
261GAR290 09/20 Sa 11:00am-1:00pm Moore
NYBG

Since autumn is the optimum season to plant bulbs, now is the time to decide what will work best in your garden. In this class, you'll receive an overview of bulbs-what they are and how to properly plant them. Common more...
261GAR287O 09/22 Mo 6:00pm-7:30pm Hagen
ONLINE

Put all your garden ideas into practice with this practical overview of the best layout plans and circulation patterns. Learn how to analyze space and proportions to create a coherent landscape design that complements both home and garden.
261GAR222O 09/25 Th 6:30pm-8:30pm Rosiello
ONLINE

Learn how to create a container garden for your patio, terrace, or entryway that's both functional and gorgeous-and helps your plants thrive in all four seasons.
261GAR327CO 09/26 Fr 10:00am-12:00pm Gonzalez
ONLINE

This user-friendly intro course surveys the major plant groups-flowering plants, conifers, ferns, and bryophytes-focusing on their form and structure. Become botanically literate and gain practical experience in dissecting and analyzing plant structures.
261HRT300HO 09/27 Sa 10:30am-12:45pm Simeone
ONLINE
261HRT300JO 09/29 Mo 6:00pm-8:00pm Bakis
ONLINE
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