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.


May

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.
254HRT300C 05/07 We 5:00pm-7:00pm Finley
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.
254GAR301BO 05/14 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.
254HRT358D 05/16 Fr 10:00am-12:40pm Simeone
NYBG

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

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

June

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

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

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

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

July

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.
261HRT358A 07/01 Tu 10:00am-12:40pm Nolan
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.
261GAR301 07/07 Mo 2:00pm-4:00pm Ruggiero
NYBG

In just three weeks, complete more than 40% of the coursework required for the Gardening Certificate and gain a solid base in the principles of environmentally sound gardening from expert professionals.
261GAR950 07/07 Mo 9:00am-4:00pm Ruggiero
Cheng
Gabel
Gonzalez
Eierman, EcoBeneficial
Rosiello
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...
261GAR302 07/08 Tu 1:00pm-4:00pm Cheng
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.
261HRT300E 07/10 Th 6:00pm-8:00pm Halane
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.
261GAR301DO 07/13 Su 10:00am-12:00pm 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...
261GAR320 07/14 Mo 9:00am-12:00pm Gabel
NYBG

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.
261HRT358 07/14 Mo 1:00pm-4:00pm 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...
261GAR315 07/22 Tu 9:00am-12:00pm Eierman, EcoBeneficial
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.
261GAR342B 07/22 Tu 1:00pm-4:00pm Rosiello
NYBG

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.
261HRT358D 07/28 Mo 9:00am-12:00pm Ruggiero
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.
261GAR342 07/29 Tu 1:00pm-3:30pm Rosiello
NYBG

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.
261HRT300FO 08/11 Mo 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.
261GAR431O 08/13 We 6:00pm-8:00pm Storrs
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.
261GAR301EO 08/15 Fr 10:00am-12:00pm Marsh
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

September

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