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.


July

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.
261AGA300CO 07/01 Tu 12:00am-11:59pm ONLINE-FLEX

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 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.
261GAR327 07/21 Mo 9:00am-4:00pm Gonzalez
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

Get a little messy making seasonal berry jam! Learn different methods of jamming that use less sugar and no additives or pectin. You'll come away with three delicious jams that will transport you back to summer whenever you reach for more...
261CKG200 07/26 Sa 11:00am-2:00pm Davis
NYBG

Discover plants native to our region that flower in summer, such as Hairy Penstemon, Spotted Beebalm, Shrubby St. John's Wort, and Northern Bush Honeysuckle. Learn how to choose the right plants for your landscape conditions and explore the benefits they more...
261GAR212 07/26 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.
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

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.
261AGA300DO 08/01 Fr 12:00am-11:59pm ONLINE-FLEX

Learn the essential pruning techniques for woody plants used by NYBG experts. In this course, our plant professionals will guide you through the key principles of pruning woody plants such as small trees and shrubs.
261PLT140B 08/01   ONLINE-FLEX

Learn time-honored canning techniques to extend the bounty of your favorite stone fruits, such as peaches, plums, apricots and more, long after summer has passed. Create a compote to top your summer desserts; prepare for fall with warming spices; or more...
261CKG231 08/02 Sa 11:00am-2:00pm Davis
NYBG

Whether you are just beginning your gardening journey or looking for expert advice on how to make your garden more robust, this class will provide a detailed overview of a variety of shrubs, perennials, and annuals that have been identified more...
261GAR161O 08/03 Su 10:00am-12:00pm Ballato
ONLINE

Study the entire cannabis growing cycle, including best practices for critical harvest and post-harvest procedures, and how artificial lighting and carbon dioxide enrichment can help maximize production. We'll discuss the pros and cons of different grow sites and media, with more...
261HRT156O 08/06 We 6:00pm-8:00pm DeBacco
Crosson
ONLINE

Wondering what to do with your bounty of tomatoes? Preserve them, of course! We will show you the best ways to process and hot pack your harvest, with a simple method borrowed from industrial canning. We'll make a chili tomato more...
261CKG226 08/09 Sa 11:00am-3:00pm Davis
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.
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

Return to great-grandma's tried-and-true process to make pickled cucumbers in three styles—spicy dill, sweet bread-and-butter, and zesty relish. Designedfor beginners, this class covers the basics—from recipes to food prep to sterilizing. You'll pick up tips and tricks for pickling all more...
261CKG221 08/14 Th 11:00am-3:00pm Davis
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.
261GAR301EO 08/15 Fr 10:00am-12:00pm Marsh
ONLINE

Discover how to get the best from a large array of hydrangeas that can bloom multiple times. Find out how to make these rebloomers sing with later season color. Hint: Pruning isn't always the way to improve plant performance.
261GAR145O 08/17 Su 10:00am-12:00pm Ballato
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

Don't let a lack of sun cast a shadow on your garden! Find out which plants thrive in shady conditions while bringing charm and color. You'll see how to expand your palette from reliable standards such as hosta and plant more...
261GAR142 08/24 Su 10:30am-1:30pm Ballato
NYBG
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