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.


September

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

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 09/17 We 10:00am-12:30pm Kutos
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...
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

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

October

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.
262HRT300AO 10/01 We 11:00am-1:00pm O'Brien
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.
262GAR431AO 10/05 Su 10:00am-12:00pm 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.
262HRT300B 10/05 Su 10:00am-12:00pm Halane
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...
262GAR315AO 10/09 Th 6:00pm-8:00pm Eierman, EcoBeneficial
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.
262HRT358A 10/16 Th 10:00am-12:40pm Tyson-Strait
NYBG

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...
262HRT321B 10/19 Su 11:00am-2:00pm Turner
NYBG

November

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.
262GAR342AO 11/03 Mo 10:00am-12:30pm Forster
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.
262HRT300CO 11/03 Mo 10:30am-12:30pm Barr
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...
262GAR302A 11/05 We 11:00am-1:00pm Himmelman
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.
262HRT411A 11/06 Th 10:00am-1:00pm Ruggiero
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.
262GAR301AO 11/07 Fr 10:00am-12:00pm Marsh
ONLINE
262GAR301BO 11/10 Mo 6:00pm-8:00pm Beyers
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...
262HRT321A 11/18 Tu 10:00am-2:00pm Logan
NYBG

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...
263GAR324O 01/06 Tu 6:00pm-8:00pm Kokinchak
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.
263HRT300DO 01/13 Tu 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...
263GAR315B 01/14 We 6:00pm-8:00pm Eierman, EcoBeneficial
NYBG

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...
263HRT321C 01/14 We 10:00am-1:00pm Cheng
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.
263GAR301FO 01/15 Th 6:00pm-8:00pm Bakis
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.
263HRT300EO 01/24 Sa 10:00am-12:00pm Alvarez
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...
263HRT321D 01/24 Sa 1:00pm-4:00pm Turner
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...
263GAR302BO 01/26 Mo 6:00pm-8:00pm Bulpitt
ONLINE

February

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.
263GAR301CO 02/01 Su 6:00pm-8:00pm 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.
263HRT300FO 02/03 Tu 10:00am-12:00pm Day
ONLINE
263HRT300GO 02/18 We 6:00pm-8:00pm O'Brien
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...
263HRT321E 02/21 Sa 1:00pm-4:00pm Bishop
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.
263GAR301D 02/22 Su 2:00pm-4:00pm 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.
263HRT411B 02/23 Mo 5:30pm-8:30pm Weinstein
NYBG

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.
263GAR431BO 02/24 Tu 6:00pm-8:00pm Storrs
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...
263GAR320O 02/26 Th 6:00pm-8:00pm Kokinchak
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.
263GAR342BO 02/26 Th 6:00pm-8:00pm Rosiello
ONLINE

March

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.
263HRT300H 03/01 Su 11:00am-1:00pm Halane
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...
263GAR440O 03/02 Mo 6:00pm-8:00pm Cappello-Ruggiero
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.
263HRT411C 03/10 Tu 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.
263GAR301EO 03/13 Fr 10:00am-12:00pm Marsh
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...
263GAR394 03/15 Su 10:00am-1:30pm Perkowski
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.
263HRT300JO 03/16 Mo 10:30am-12:30pm Day
ONLINE