Gardening Certificate Requirements

The NYBG Gardening Certificate Program provides in depth courses on sustainable gardening techniques, soil science, plant propagation, and garden maintenance design for the home gardener. Regional experts guide you through the art and science of plant selection and care for home or small-scale residential/urban/community gardens and greening projects.

Students who are pursuing a Certificate must complete 187 total course hours (164 required + 23 elective). Browse this page to discover what required courses are currently scheduled.


August

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.
271HRT300DO 08/11 Tu 6:00pm-8:00pm Thomson
ONLINE

Examine pre-planting procedures, from soil preparation to crop rotation planning. Study the timing and techniques of planting, pest management, and harvest and post-harvest handling. Survey heirloom varieties, new cultivars, and classic selections.
271GAR431O 08/12 We 6:00pm-8:00pm Storrs
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.
271HRT358D 08/12 We 10:00am-12:40pm Tyson-Strait
NYBG
271HRT358FBL 08/22 Sa 1:00pm-3:40pm Simeone
BLENDED

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.
271GAR301CO 08/26 We 6:00pm-8:00pm Bakis
ONLINE

September

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...
271GAR320O 09/15 Tu 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...
271GAR440BO 09/16 We 6:00pm-8:00pm Cappello-Ruggiero
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.
271HRT358E 09/16 We 2:00pm-4:40pm Tyson-Strait
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...
271GAR324O 09/17 Th 6:00pm-8:00pm Kokinchak
ONLINE

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.
271HRT411B 09/17 Th 5:30pm-8:30pm Ivanoski
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.
271GAR301F 09/20 Su 10:00am-12:00pm Ruggiero
NYBG

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.
271HRT300EO 09/23 We 10:30am-12:30pm Barr
ONLINE

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.
271HRT411C 09/30 We 5:30pm-8:30pm Weinstein
NYBG

October

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...
272GAR315AO 10/07 We 6:00pm-8:00pm Eierman, EcoBeneficial
ONLINE

Examine pre-planting procedures, from soil preparation to crop rotation planning. Study the timing and techniques of planting, pest management, and harvest and post-harvest handling. Survey heirloom varieties, new cultivars, and classic selections.
272GAR431AO 10/07 We 6:00pm-8:00pm Beyers
ONLINE

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...
272GAR302A 10/27 Tu 10:30am-12:30pm Himmelman
NYBG

November

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.
272GAR301AO 11/06 Fr 10:00am-12:00pm Marsh
ONLINE

This class introduces basic garden design principles using the interplay of structural features, plant characteristics, and site assessment. Learn to creatively combine trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals, and bulbs based on color, shape, texture, and size.
272GAR342AO 11/06 Fr 10:00am-12:30pm Forster
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 Therapeutic Horticulture Certificate.
272GAR301BO 11/16 Mo 6:00pm-9:00pm Beyers
ONLINE

January

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...
273GAR324O 01/05 Tu 6:00pm-8:00pm Kokinchak
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 Therapeutic Horticulture Certificate.
273GAR301CO 01/13 We 6:00pm-8:00pm Bakis
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...
273GAR315BO 01/13 We 6:00pm-8:00pm Eierman, EcoBeneficial
ONLINE

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...
273GAR302BO 01/25 Mo 6:00pm-8:00pm Bulpitt
ONLINE

Tending to roses is an art, especially given how many types there are-from shrubs to hybrid teas to ramblers. Proper pruning can encourage bloom production and control plant disease. This informative session combines classroom demonstrations, student pruning of potted plants, more...
273GAR394O 01/30 Sa 10:00am-1:30pm Perkowski
ONLINE

February

Examine pre-planting procedures, from soil preparation to crop rotation planning. Study the timing and techniques of planting, pest management, and harvest and post-harvest handling. Survey heirloom varieties, new cultivars, and classic selections.
273GAR431BO 02/02 Tu 6:00pm-8:00pm Storrs
ONLINE

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.
273HRT411A 02/22 Mo 5:30pm-8:30pm Weinstein
NYBG

This class introduces basic garden design principles using the interplay of structural features, plant characteristics, and site assessment. Learn to creatively combine trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals, and bulbs based on color, shape, texture, and size.
273GAR342BO 02/24 We 6:00pm-8:30pm Beyers
ONLINE

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...
273GAR320O 02/25 Th 6:00pm-8:00pm Kokinchak
ONLINE

March

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...
273GAR440O 03/01 Mo 6:00pm-8:00pm Cappello-Ruggiero
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 Therapeutic Horticulture Certificate.
273GAR301D 03/02 Tu 4:30pm-6:30pm Leibovitch
NYBG
273GAR301E 03/07 Su 2:00pm-4:25pm Ruggiero
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...
273GAR315CO 03/18 Th 6:00pm-8:00pm Eierman, EcoBeneficial
ONLINE

April

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.
274GAR301AO 04/02 Fr 10:00am-12:00pm Marsh
ONLINE