garden talk

Press Release:

Join the Genesee County Master Gardeners for their monthly Garden Talk programs.  After a break in July, we start back up on August 8 with “What are Weeds Good For?” Gardeners try to remove or eliminate weeds, to allow their own choices in the garden to thrive. Surprisingly, weeds serve many useful functions, including being used for food, herbal remedies, removing toxins, preventing erosion, and even indicating soil types. Join Master Gardener Kate to learn some of the fascinating aspects of the weeds we find in our landscapes.

September 5 brings “Flower Arranging 101: The Basics of Bouquet Making.” Floral design is a rewarding and fun way to be creative with flowers from your garden. Join Master Gardener Brandie as she goes over the basics of creating a fresh garden bouquet. She will cover some design basics as well as several tips and tricks that will have you making flower arrangements like a pro! (Demonstration only.)

October 3 “Pick your Poison (Part 2).” Poisonous plants have been utilized throughout history with murderous intent. They are also a favorite tool of murder mystery writers. Join Master Gardener Connie as she explores three plant derived poisons - Strychnine, Ricin and Digitalis, and their impact in history and literature. (This is a follow up from the October 2023 Garden Talk.)

We end the year with Master Gardener Brenda on November 7 as she takes a look back at some fantastic gardens spotted on the annual Buffalo Garden Walk. Take an armchair tour of some of the spectacular, colorful gardens that make the Buffalo Garden Walk so popular. If you’ve never been, here’s a chance to get a glimpse of the show. Garden tours are a great way to get ideas for your own garden. It’s never too early to start planning for spring!

Garden Talk programs start at Noon and can be 30 to 60 minutes long, depending on the topic. This free series is open to all, but registration is required. You can attend in person at the CCE office (420 East Main Street, Batavia) or via Zoom.

To register for a Zoom link, visit our Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County website at http://genesee.cce.cornell.edu/events. A Zoom link will be sent to your email with your personal link to the event. To attend in person please contact Laura at 585-343-3040 x101 or leg224@cornell.edu. Garden Talk programs are usually recorded and posted to our CCE Genesee YouTube page.

Press Release:

Join the Genesee County Master Gardeners for their monthly Garden Talk programs starting Feb. 1, at Noon. Master Gardener Denise K. will be our presenter for “Gardening in a Warming World.” Denise will discuss the whole landscape approach to gardening. You will learn techniques on how to better prepare and help your garden flourish.  We'll also cover some Integrated Pest Management (IPM) information.

March 7 - Let’s “Travel to the Canary Islands” with Master Gardener Kathie W.  Ever wonder what it would be like to garden in a place where there is no level ground? Or on a volcano? Take an armchair trip with us as we travel to Funchal, a volcanic island off Portugal, and Tenerife, part of the Canary Islands. Learn about gardening on volcanic islands. Explore someplace new!

April 4 - “Bluebirds!” with Master Gardener Chee L. Everybody loves bluebirds, that’s why they’re the official bird of New York State. If you are new to bluebirding, this program will cover everything you need to know to attract them to your property. If you’re an old pro this will help refresh your memory of why you love them!

May 2 - “Hardscape in the Garden” with Master Gardener Roberta T. Not every part of a garden has to have plants. Hardscape is any of the non-living elements in your landscape design. We’ll give you some ideas on how you can easily add stone elements to your landscape.

June 6 - Master Gardener Maud C. will do a demonstration on “How to Create a Terrarium.” Always popular, they are sometimes referred to as “gardens under glass.”  Whether you would like to create a theme-based garden or just a plant jungle, the principles are the same. Maud will walk you through the steps so you can build your own and also give you tips to keep your terrarium looking spectacular.

Garden Talk programs start at Noon and can be 30 to 60 minutes long, depending on the topic. This free series is open to all, but registration is required. You can attend in person at the CCE office (420 East Main Street, Batavia) or via Zoom.

To register for a Zoom link, visit our Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County website at http://genesee.cce.cornell.edu/events. A Zoom link will be sent to your email with your personal link to the event. 

To attend in person please contact Laura at 585-343-3040 x101 or leg224@cornell.edu. Upcoming Master Gardener events will also be posted on the CCE Genesee County website. Garden Talk programs are recorded and posted to our CCE Genesee YouTube page at www.youtube.com/channel/UCaXK_W80PkoUBj-HBm8OFMA/videos. 

Press releases:

Join the Genesee County Master Gardeners for their monthly Garden Talk programs starting February 2, at noon.  Master Gardener Connie B. will be our host for “Hidcote and Hever, two English Gardens of Renown.”  Escape from winter with an armchair adventure touring these two wonderful English Gardens.

March 2 – “Kitchen Gardens” with Master Gardener Kathie W.  Kitchen gardens have been around for as long as humans have lived in communities.  And no, they are not gardens in your kitchen!  Join us to find out a little history, a little design, and what exactly is a kitchen garden, and what can be planted in yours.

April 6 – “Starting a Compost Pile.”  Making your own compost can be a fun and rewarding activity.  There are many advantages to making compost, including a healthier garden and less yard waste going to a landfill.  Come learn with Master Gardener Lori G. how you can easily make your own compost using items from your kitchen, yard, and gardens.

May 4 – Houseplants 101” with Master Gardener Brandie W.  Houseplants aren't a new concept, but lately, they have enjoyed a massive surge in popularity.  Houseplants are a great way to decorate and connect with nature indoors.  Becoming a proud plant parent isn't as hard as you think.  We will go over basic houseplant care, including choosing the right plant, light, watering, fertilizer, when to repot, and more.

June 1 – “A Summer Palette of Native Plants for Monarch Butterflies” is the third Garden Talk with Master Gardener Pam M. that discusses ways you can help the Monarch Butterfly.  Adult monarchs feed on flower nectar and need a tasty buffet as they travel north from their wintering grounds in Mexico.  What flowers, especially native plants, can you grow in your garden from early summer to early fall?  Learn what plants will help provide much-needed nectar corridors for monarchs to travel safely and produce their next generation.

Garden Talk programs start at Noon and can be 30 to 60 minutes long, depending on the topic.  This free series is open to all, but registration is required.  You can attend in person at the CCE office (420 East Main Street, Batavia) or via Zoom.

To attend in person, please contact Mandy at 585-343-3040 x101 or amm532@cornell.edu.

To register for a Zoom link, visit our Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County website at http://genesee.cce.cornell.edu/events.  A Zoom link will be sent to your email with your personal link to the event.

Garden Talk programs are recorded and posted to our CCE Genesee YouTube page at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaXK_W80PkoUBj-HBm8OFMA/videos.  Upcoming Master Gardener events will be posted on the CCE Genesee County website.

“CCE of Genesee County is an employer and educator recognized for valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities and provides equal program and employment opportunities.”

Press release:

Join the Genesee County Master Gardeners as we jump back into Garden Talk! On Aug. 5 at noon, we will get the lowdown on “Beneficial Insects.” Most of the insects that live in your garden or landscape do little or no harm to you or your plants.

Many of these good guys provide free pest control for you. Who are these six-legged allies? Join Master Gardener David R. to learn about the beneficial insects that could be in your garden!

Sept. 2 – “A Year in the Life of a Garden.” Gardens aren't static, they change as we progress through the seasons, and evolve over the years. Sometimes change comes from losing a major tree in the garden or a change in your lifestyle. Join Master Gardener Lynette S. as we explore the changes that have taken place in her small city garden.

Oct. 7 – “Winter Bird Feeding 101.” Do you enjoy watching the birds in your yard? Winter bird feeding can be entertaining for you and beneficial for the birds. Join us for tips on "setting the table" for your neighborhood feathered friends.

Nov. 4 – “Harvest of Squash.” Do you know what to do with that winter squash that found its way into your home? Master Food Preserver Catherine J. will explain the different types of squash, how to prepare them for use, store them for later, and share a few recipes for that bountiful harvest.

Dec. 2 – “Gifts from the Kitchen.” Join Master Food Preserver Catherine J. as she demonstrates some wonderful ideas that you can use this holiday season.

Currently all Garden Talk programs are being held online via Zoom, from noon to 12:45 p.m. This free series is open to all. Registration is required. A Zoom link will be sent to your email with your personal link to the event.

To register, please visit the events page at the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County website.

Press release:

Garden Talk returns via Zoom on May 7 at noon (note the time change).

Join the Genesee County Master Gardeners for “Common Gardening Mistakes.”

Let’s face it, we’ve all been there. Even Master Gardeners make mistakes and kill plants! If you have questions about proper watering techniques, fertilizing or soil preparation this talk is for you. We’ll cover the basics.

Please register in advance for this free program online here.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Then join us from the comfort of your own home at noon on May 7.

This free series is open to the public.

Future topics and other Master Gardener events will be posted on the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County website and also on our Facebook page.

Press release:

Garden Talk returns to the Cornell Cooperative Extension in Batavia on Thursday, Feb. 6 at 12:15 p.m. with a “trip” to the lovely Butchart Gardens. Take a break from winter to enjoy Vancouver Island’s “Vision of Beauty.”

The Butchart Gardens is a flowering oasis, a 100-plus years in the making. Come see how one woman’s vision came to be. A National Historic Site of Canada, the Butchart Gardens are world renowned.

All Garden Talk programs run on the first Thursday of the month from 12:15 to 12:45 p.m. Bring your lunch to the Cornell Cooperative Extension office (420 E. Main St.) and join us. This free series is open to the public. Registration is not required.

Other upcoming Garden Talk topics are:

March 5 – “Soil Blocking for Seed Starting.” Come and learn about an indoor seed-starting technique called soil-blocking. This unique method allows gardeners to produce twice as many vigorous seedlings in about half the space of traditional seed starting methods. The seedlings grow in a free-standing block of growing medium. That’s right no containers! The space between these blocks “air prunes” the roots, so plants do not become root bound and are also easier to transplant.

April 2 – “Get your Garden Ready for Spring.” Need some help getting your garden ready for a spring and summer of beauty and color? Let us help you start your gardens right this season. Whether bulbs, annuals or existing perennials, one can minimize weeds, change locations of plants, or prep a spot for a brand new garden.

May 7 – “Common Garden Mistakes.” Let’s face it, we’ve all been there. Even Master Gardeners make mistakes and kill plants! If you have questions about proper watering techniques, fertilizing or soil preparation this talk is for you.

June 4 – “Spotted Lantern Fly.” This pretty bug has been in the news, but not for its good looks. Spotted Lantern Fly is the latest invasive pest from Asia that is causing concern to farmers and homeowners alike. Learn how to identify the eggs, nymphs and adults.

Future topics and other Master Gardener events will be posted on the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County website at http://genesee.cce.cornell.edu/.

Press release:

Garden Talk is back from its July break! Join us on the first Thursday of the month starting this Thursday, Aug. 1.

All Garden Talk programs run from 12:15 to 12:45 p.m. Bring your lunch to the Cornell Cooperative Extension office (420 E. Main St., Batavia) and join us. This free series is open to the public. Registration is not required.

Our lineup for the remainder of the year is as follows:

Aug. 1 -- “Sensory Gardens” – Come learn about the benefits and how to create a garden for the five senses. The talk will include how they can be used as a healing therapy for people as well as encourage natural learning experiences for children. The sensory garden invites everyone to enjoy the garden and stimulate their senses.

Sept. 5 – “Growing Garlic” -- “There are many miracles in the world to be celebrated and, for me, garlic is the most deserving” -- Leo Buscaglia. Let’s celebrate Buscaglia’s appreciation of this most essential plant! Join us for a talk on all things garlic -- its history, uses, horticultural varieties and cultivation.

Oct. 3 – “Autumn Décor Demonstration” -- Join us as Master Gardener Jane Grehlinger shows us how to create a fall masterpiece from the garden.

Nov. 7 – “Gardens of England” -- Master Gardener Pam Ketchum will present brief reflections from a 13-day tour of English gardens. Highlights will include the Chelsea Flower Show, Great Dixter, Sissinghurst and Hidcote. Ketchum will share some history of the original owners, and talk about structure, garden rooms, patterning, pathways, and of course – color.

Future topics and other Master Gardener events will be posted on the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County website at http://genesee.cce.cornell.edu/.

Press release:

2019 marks the fifth year of Garden Talk programs with the Genesee County Master Gardeners. This year we will make a slight change and hold the programs on the first Thursday of the month starting on Feb. 7.

All Garden Talk programs run from 12:15 to 12:45 p.m. Bring your lunch to the Cornell Cooperative Extension office (420 E. Main St., Batavia) and join us. This free series is open to the public. Registration is not required.

Feb. 7 -- “Seed Starting Basics.” Starting your own seeds is a great way to get a jump on the growing season. It also gives you access to hundreds of specialty varieties that you won’t find at your local nursery. We will demystify seed starting at home with easy to follow instructions and insightful tips for both novice and experienced gardeners.

March 7 – “Gardens of New Zealand.” Gardening is rated as one of New Zealanders’ favorite pastimes. Explore the beauty of New Zealand via a photo tour of some stunning gardens.  If you have the winter blahs this will help dispel them!

April 4 – “Composting 101.” Keep your new year’s resolution and start composting this year! There are many different ways to make a compost pile and we’ll explore some of the ways you can make your own black gold for your garden.

May 2 – “Hell Strip Plantings.” The hell strip, the area between the street and the sidewalk, is a challenge to many gardeners. Most are sparse and weed-ridden zones plagued by road salt in the winter and dry, baked soil in the summer. Learn how to avoid the typical pitfalls with hell strips so you can transform yours into a lush and welcoming garden.

Future topics and other Master Gardener events will be posted on the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County website at http://genesee.cce.cornell.edu/

Press release:

Join the Genesee County Master Gardeners for our monthly garden series, “Garden Talk.”

Taught by Master Gardeners, programs will be held from 12:15 to 12:45 p.m. on the first Tuesday of the month. Bring your lunch to the CCE office at 420 E. Main St, Batavia and join us.

This free series is open to the public. Registration is not required.

On Aug. 7 check out “Autumn Awesomeness.” Fall is a great time to garden after so many of summer's challenges are past.

If you'd like a garden filled with Autumn Awesomeness, we have a few ideas to get you started right away. Late interest plants are important, but there's more, and that "more" will make your garden sing year round.

Sept. 4 drop in for “Tips on Ticks.” Learn about which ticks you may find in your backyard or farther afield. With tick encounters on the rise learn how to identify a tick, what diseases they may carry and how to protect yourself and your family from being bitten by a tick.

Oct. 2 finds us exploring “A Witch's Garden.” Witches were once considered wise women and healers.

They used plants they grew or found in their environment to cure ills as well as cast spells. You, too, may have your very own witch's garden...come explore the folklore and plants of the witch.

On Nov. 6 we will wrap up the Garden Talk year with a demonstration on how to make an outdoor greens display for the winter. Get ideas for a creating a container that can take you past the holidays and look good all winter.

Future topics and other Master Gardener events will be posted on the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County website here. Contact 343-3040, ext. 101, for more information about this or other CCE programs.