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.


May

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...
254GAR440A 05/28 We 4:30pm-7:30pm Weinstein
NYBG

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.
254GAR327B 05/29 Th 11:00am-1:00pm Gonzalez
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...
254GAR302BO 05/30 Fr 10:00am-12:00pm Bulpitt
ONLINE

Woody plants are the foundation of every garden plan. Learn how to use evergreens such as Rhododendron and Holly, and deciduous stalwarts such as Hydrangea, Lilac, and Viburnum, in formal or naturalistic schemes, to create year-round beauty and interest in more...
254GAR359BL 05/31 Sa 11:00am-1:00pm Beyers
BLENDED

June

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.
254AGA300BO 06/01 Su 12:00am-11:59pm ONLINE-FLEX

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.
254HRT411A 06/02 Mo 5:30pm-8:30pm Weinstein
NYBG

Small steps can have big effects. Learn how the plants you choose and the landscape practices you use can help reduce the impacts of climate change and improve the environment around you.
254GAR379O 06/03 Tu 6:00pm-8:00pm Eierman, EcoBeneficial
ONLINE

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...
254GAR317 06/04 We 6:00pm-8:40pm Rosiello
NYBG

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...
254GAR315A 06/07 Sa 10:00am-1:00pm Eierman, EcoBeneficial
NYBG

Celebrated artist, potter, and gardener Frances Palmer encourages the idea of planning and planting a flower garden in waves—ensuring that there is always an abundance of blooms and a continual flow of colors, heights, and shapes that provides endless inspiration more...
254GAR834 06/12 Th 10:30am-11:30am Palmer
MERTZLIBRARY

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.
254HRT358E 06/14 Sa 10:00am-12:40pm D'Antonio
NYBG

Learn the fundamentals for turning ordinary nursery stock into a living work of art. This workshop covers the major styles of bonsai along with plant and container selection, branch and root pruning, wiring, and potting. more...
254GAR912 06/15 Su 11:00am-3:00pm Dillon
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.
254GAR301CO 06/21 Sa 10:00am-12:00pm Beyers
ONLINE

Examine the use of plants in the garden, with an emphasis on choosing the right plant for the right place based on site-specific design and maintenance criteria. Learn aspects of special garden values such as size, texture, color, as well more...
254GAR374O 06/22 Su 4:00pm-6:40pm Beyers
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.
254HRT300DO 06/22 Su 10:00am-12:00pm Simeone
ONLINE

Mushrooms have been utilized for thousands of years for medicinal and edible purposes. John Michelotti, owner of Catskill Fungi, will show you how to cultivate gourmet mushrooms at home using safe and simple techniques. Using cardboard and coffee grounds, create more...
254CKG207O 06/25 We 6:00pm-7:30pm Michelotti
ONLINE

Survey the modern green and biophilic hospital design movement as well as the myriad benefits of green spaces within a clinical environment, for families and caregivers alike. You'll review the architectural history of the hospital—from the basilica through Frank Lloyd more...
254WEL212O 06/27 Fr 7:00pm-8:00pm Morrison
ONLINE
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