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.


January

Gain the skills and knowledge needed to include bulbs in your landscape. In this class, you'll explore the diversity of bulbs; their culture, growing requirements, and placement. Learn how to plan and place bulbs in new and existing beds using more...
243GAR179O 01/08 Mo 6:00pm-8:00pm Forster
ONLINE

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...
243GAR324O 01/09 Tu 6:15pm-8:15pm Kokinchak
ONLINE

Whether in a shady corner or a sunny border, selecting the right plant combinations makes the difference between a ho-hum garden and one that gets rave reviews. Concentrating on perennials, learn to use color, texture, height, and bloom when combining more...
243GAR173CO 01/11 Th 10:30am-12:30pm Forster
ONLINE

Learn how native plants enhance gardens and augment biodiversity. Study native herbaceous and woody plants: their identification, habitat, and culture. Hear about the significance of woodland soils, and how to promote a healthy environment to support spring ephemerals, summer perennials, more...
243GAR315BO 01/12 Fr 10:00am-12:00pm Eierman, EcoBeneficial
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.
243HRT300BO 01/16 Tu 6:00pm-8:00pm O'Brien
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.
243GAR222BO 01/17 We 6:00pm-8:00pm Beyers
ONLINE

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 Horticultural Therapy Certificate.
243GAR301BO 01/18 Th 10:00am-12:00pm Marsh
ONLINE

Through classwork and hands-on practice, develop pruning tools and techniques to help shrubs, conifers, broadleaves, evergreens, and deciduous plants thrive. Explore how woody plant structure and physiology influence pruning. Learn how to create and maintain hedges and explore authentic pollarding more...
243HRT321B 01/19 Fr 10:00am-1:00pm Logan
NYBG

Understand how the qualities of soil affect the overall productivity of plants and make sustainable gardening practices possible. Practical application of theory is stressed. Topics include soil formation, physical properties of soil, soil-water relationships, and management techniques such as irrigation, more...
243GAR302BO 01/20 Sa 11:00am-1:00pm Simeone
ONLINE

Take your knowledge of botanical nomenclature to the next level. In this course, you'll look closely at plants to better understand and identify their diversity and similarities. Examining plant structures can seem tricky, as some resemble each other but belong more...
243GAR366O 01/22 Mo 10:30am-12:30pm Bakshi
ONLINE

From Skyline to Shoreline: Imaginative Waterfronts of NYC
This year's Winter Lecture Series celebrates three distinguished individuals—Tom Balsley, Warrie Price, and Signe Nielsen—who have meaningfully contributed to New York City's green spaces over the past several decades, using innovative designs for more...
243LAN807A 01/25 Th 11:00am-12:00pm Balsley
Price
Nielsen
NYBG

Hunters Point South Park, once a barren post-industrial site, has emerged as an international model for resilient waterfronts that is both urban and other-worldly. Designed by world-renowned landscape architect Tom Balsley, FASLA, this park embraces the shoreline of NYC's east more...
243LAN807B 01/25 Th 11:00am-12:00pm Balsley
NYBG

Good garden design isn't easy, but for anyone with a passion for plants, a little imagination, and proper guidance, it is possible to succeed. Learn the basics of garden design, review examples that work for different architectural styles and site more...
243GAR317 01/31 We 6:00pm-8:40pm Rosiello
NYBG
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