master gardeners

Press release:

If you are interested in becoming a Master Gardener Volunteer, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County will be offering Master Gardener training this fall. Classes will be held on Tuesday evenings from 6 to 9 p.m., starting Sept. 7 and running through Nov. 16.

There will also be a full day of classes on Saturday, Oct. 23. We are currently planning to hold classes in-person at the CCE Genesee office, 420 E. Main St., Batavia.

Each class will focus on a different horticulture topic throughout the training. Some of the topics to be covered include: botany, diagnosing plant diseases, entomology, soils & fertilizers, lawn care, herbs, vegetable gardening, woody plants, pruning, fruits, perennials, annuals, integrated pest management and organic gardening.

By attending the Master Gardener training, you will become a more knowledgeable gardener.

Anyone interested in learning more about gardening may attend the course. Preregistration by Aug. 24 is required. Class size will be limited. The fee for this training is $225 per person. The Cornell Master Gardener manual will be provided electronically.

If you have a passion for volunteering and gardening, this training is the first step to becoming a Genesee County Master Gardener volunteer.

Genesee County residents who graduate from the program are then eligible to apply to become a volunteer. (Other county residents should contact their local Master Gardener program.)

A Master Gardener volunteer should have a willingness to give back to the community and help put into practice what they learned at training. Enthusiasm for sharing their gardening skills and knowledge is a must.

For an application or to register contact Jan Beglinger at (585) 343-3040, ext. 132, or stop by the Extension office at 420 E. Main St. in Batavia.

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:

Join the Genesee County Master Gardeners as we “Catch the Gardening Bug” this fall. We will be offering a series of noontime, gardening-themed programs via Zoom. If you are looking for garden inspiration and know-how, check out these classes.

• On Oct. 1, join us for Garden Talk "Easy Preserving." Catherine, our CCE Master Food Preserver volunteer, will show us some quick and easy ways to preserve fall bounty from the garden. Catherine will demonstrate how to safely prepare infused-flavored oils and flavored vinegars. She will also demonstrate how to make sauerkraut at home!
• Got dahlias? Not sure what to do with them at the end of the season? Join Master Gardener Brandie on Oct. 15 as we explore “What to do with those dahlias.” Brandie will explain how she manages her dahlia collection. She will cover when to dig them up, how she overwinters her dahlias and how to divide them. Get your dahlia questions answered!
• Oct. 28 finds us exploring “A Witch's Garden” with Master Gardener Connie. 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.

This series is free and open to all. Preregistration is required. You can register at our website here. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing the link to join the program.

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. Contact (585) 343-3040, ext. 101, for more information about this or other CCE programs.

Press release:

This is a challenging time for everyone. In light of the rapidly changing COVID-19 situation and to ensure the health and safety of our volunteers, staff and participants, all Genesee County Master Gardener programs and speaking engagements have been cancelled through April.

If you have registered and paid for any of our programs you will get a refund. We will resume our regular programming as soon as we can.

Given the uncertainty surrounding COVID-19 and to do our part to help limit the spread, the Master Gardener Helpline will not be available to walk-ins through May 1. 

Master Gardener volunteers will not be in the office during this time. We hope to reopen to the public on Monday, May 4.

With gardening season at our doorstep, we want to be available to help you. If you have gardening questions you may continue to contact us through our email at geneseemg@hotmail.com. Photos may be sent for plant and insect identification.

If you are on Facebook you can also leave a question on the CCE Genesee Facebook page.

Stay up to date with our Master Gardener program by visiting our website.

Please take all precautions to stay safe and healthy.

Thank you for your continued support and we hope to see you in the near future.

Press release:

Rain or shine, the Genesee County Master Gardeners will be hosting their annual Spring Garden Gala on Saturday, May 18, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County, 420 E. Main St. in Batavia.

This annual plant sale features a variety of perennials, many of which are from the gardens of Master Gardeners. There will also be a selection of houseplants and locally grown geraniums. Plant sale starts promptly at 10 a.m. No early birds please.

Visit the Basket Auction for garden art, gift certificates and a variety of themed baskets. Gently used garden books will also be for sale. Basket Auction drawing starts at 12:30 p.m.

Bring in a soil sample from your garden or lawn for a free pH test (a half cup of dry soil in a clean container). Master Gardeners will be available to answer your gardening questions.

Don’t miss your chance to pick up some great plants at great prices, plus garden art and other interesting items. Arrive at 10 a.m. for the best plant selection. Proceeds from the sale benefit the educational outreach of the Genesee County Master Gardener Program.

For more information contact Brandie Waite at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County, (585) 343-3040, ext. 101, or stop by the Extension office at 420 E. Main St. in Batavia. Visit the website here.

Press release:

Join the Genesee County Master Gardeners this spring as we “Catch the Gardening Bug.”

We will be offering four gardening programs this spring with our first one, “Invaders amongst Our Trees,” from 6 to 8 p.m. on March 26.

Get a DEC Forester’s perspective on what invasive species are threatening our landscape trees and forests -- from Emerald Ash Borer to Oak Wilt.

We’ll also talk about some new threats on the horizon such as Mile-a-Minute Vine and Spotted Lanternfly. This program is free, but registration is required by March 22 as space is limited.

Shade gardens can offer cool relief on hot, sunny days. While flowers offer flash, plants with attractive foliage offer season-long color. If you are looking for shade loving plants other than hostas and pachysandra, join us on April 4 for “Awesome Plants for Shady Sites.”

We'll show you a variety of great plants that you can add to your shady retreat. Registration required by March 29. Cost is $10.

Learn the history of what came to be known as “Kitchen Gardens” on April 16. Find out what settlers to the New World, especially New York, planted in their kitchen gardens and why.

There will be hands on activities to help you start thinking about how you would plant your own kitchen garden. Registration required by April 12. Cost is $10.

Has your compost pile got you down? Maybe you would like to start one but you’re not sure how to. Join us on April 25, for “Fun with Compost!”

We’ll cover the basics of two composting techniques that will turn your vegetable scraps into plant food; either by the traditional method of creating a pile outdoors or by using a container of worms indoors. Registration required by April 19. Cost is $10.

All classes will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Genesee County Cornell Cooperative Extension at 420 E. Main St., Batavia.

Unless otherwise noted, the cost is $10 per person, per class. Preregistration is required as class size is limited.

Contact Brandie at 585-343-3040, ext. 101, or stop by our office to register. Visit our website at: http://genesee.cce.cornell.edu/events for more information.

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:

If you are interested in taking the Master Gardener training this fall, we still have a few spots open. Classes will be held on Wednesday evenings from 6 to 9, starting Sept. 5 and running through Nov. 14.

There will also be a full day of classes on Saturday, Nov. 3. Classes will be held at the Cornell Cooperative Extension office at 420 E. Main St., Batavia. Each class will focus on a different horticulture topic.

Anyone interested in learning more about gardening may attend the course. Preregistration is required and has been extended to Aug. 30 or until the class is full.

The fee for this horticulture training is $225 per person, which includes all class sessions and materials. The Cornell Master Gardener manual is available online.

If you have a passion for volunteering and gardening, this training is the first step to becoming a Genesee County Master Gardener volunteer. A Master Gardener volunteer should have a willingness to give back to the community and help put into practice what they learned at training. Enthusiasm for sharing their gardening skills and knowledge is a must. Graduates of the program (Genesee County residents) are then eligible to apply to become a volunteer.

For an application or to register contact Brandie Waite at 343-3040, ext. 101, or stop by the Extension office located at 420 E. Main St. in Batavia.

Rain or shine, the Genesee County Master Gardeners will be hosting their annual Spring Garden Gala on Saturday, May 19, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County, 420 E. Main St. in Batavia.

This annual plant sale features a variety of perennials, many of which are from the gardens of Master Gardeners. There will also be a selection of house plants and locally grown geraniums. Plant sale starts promptly at 10 a.m. No early birds please.

Step inside and visit the Basket Auction for garden art, gift certificates and a variety of themed baskets. Gently used garden books will also be for sale. Basket Auction drawing starts at 12:30 p.m. A limited selection of handcrafted garden art will be available for purchase.

Bring in a soil sample from your garden or lawn for a free pH test. Master Gardeners will be available to answer your gardening questions. There will also be a demonstration at 11:30 a.m. on how to divide some common perennials.

Don’t miss your chance to pick up some great plants, garden art and other interesting items. Arrive at 10 a.m. for the best plant selection. Proceeds from the sale benefit the educational outreach of the Genesee County Master Gardener Program.

For more information contact Brandie Waite at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County, (585) 343-3040, ext. 101, or stop by the Extension office in Batavia.

Back row: Teagan Mathes, Clare Mathes, Maggie Winspear. Front row: Evan Winspear, Mae Grimes.

Submitted photos and press release:

The Genesee County Master Gardeners hosted a youth 4-H flower fair on Aug. 8^th at the Kennedy Building on the Genesee County Fairgrounds.

This event gave youth a chance to exhibit flowers that may not have been available during our county fair. Youth participated in classes such as “Best Gladiolus,” “Largest Sunflower by Diameter,” “Best Table Arrangement” and more.

Thank you to all of the 4-H’ers who participated and our volunteer judges.

Judge measuring diameter of a sunflower.

Press release:

Join the Genesee County Master Gardeners for our monthly garden series, “Garden Talk.” Taught by Master Gardeners, programs will be held during the “lunch hour” from 12:15 to 12:45 p.m. on the first Tuesday of the month. (Please note: the July program will be held on July 11.)

Bring your lunch to the CCE office (420 E. Main St., Batavia) and join us. This series is free and open to the public. Registration is not required.

On July 11 learn about the different types of bulb lilies that can be grown in the garden such as Oriental and Trumpet. We will also discuss a relatively new invasive insect, the red lily leaf beetle, which can decimate your lilies. Learn some methods to combat this lily-munching pest.

Terrariums are easy-to-make, low-maintenance gardens that can last for years. On Aug. 1 we will demonstrate how to create a miniature world full of beautiful plants and interesting objects. Go home with a list of materials and directions so you can create your own sensational terrarium.

Have you ever thought about bringing some of your annuals inside for the winter but weren’t sure how to? Join us on Sept. 5 to learn some tips and tricks that you can use so you can continue to enjoy a bit of summer inside this winter. We will also show you how to get your houseplants ready to come back inside.

There are hundreds of tea plantations in the world, but only one in the United States. Join us Oct. 3 for a photo tour of the Charleston Tea Plantation located in South Carolina. The Charleston Tea Plantation is a true working tea farm and a living piece of American history.

“All about Amaryllis” will be our final program of the year on Nov. 7. Amaryllis are known for their stunning blooms. Many of us buy or receive an amaryllis bulb around the holidays. But what do you do with the bulb after it blooms? Learn how to take care of your bulb year round so that you can enjoy its blooms for many years.

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

It was on a Saturday in September 10 years ago that I first drove into Batavia.

I returned to that event today to sort of mark the anniversary.

It was through a calendar item in the Gardener's Journal 10 years ago that I saw something about a Master Gardeners' Gala at the Cornell Cooperative Extension in a placed called Batavia.

"Batavia can't be too far of a drive," I thought, while sitting in my hotel room in Fairport.  

I made the drive, and it was a bit more of a drive than I expected, but eventually, I found Batavia, and I found it charming.

I came out here looking for information on growing roses in Western New York (we were getting ready to move from Bakersfield, Calif.) and left charmed by this little city.

Little did I know then, that within two years, I would be starting an online news site for Genesee County and eventually moving here myself. But Billie and I are quite happy with that turn of events.

Thank you all for supporting our experiment in online-only news and embracing and accepting us as you have.

And yes, I've found it possible to quite successfully grow roses in Western New York.

Press release:

As summer winds down and we head into fall, there are still three more “Garden Talk” programs this year!

Taught by Master Gardeners, programs will be held once a month, during the “lunch hour” 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 series is free and open to the public. Registration is not required.

Sept. 6 will be a follow up to our May herb program. After growing your herbs all summer, what can you do with them now? We’ll give you some ideas of things you can use your herbs for.

On Oct. 4, get ready to feed your backyard birds as we’ll offer tips and answer questions about Winter Bird Feeding.

Nov. 1 will be a demonstration on how to make a beautiful holiday swag to decorate your home.

Need a Garden Talk schedule? Contact Brandie at 585-343-3040, ext. 101.

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/ and also on our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/CCEofGenesee.

Press release:

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County will be offering Master Gardener Training on from 6 to 9 on Wednesday evenings, starting Sept. 7 and running through Nov. 16. There will also be a full day on Saturday, Nov. 5. Classes will be held at the CCE office at 420 E. Main St., Batavia.

Each class will focus on a different horticulture topic throughout the training. By attending the Master Gardener training, you will become a more knowledgeable gardener.  Participants will learn about the following horticulture topics: botany, diagnosing plant diseases, entomology, soils & fertilizers, lawn care, herbs, vegetable gardening, weed identification, woody ornamentals, pruning, tree and small fruits, perennials and annuals, nuisance wildlife and organic gardening.

Anyone interested in learning more about gardening may attend the course. Pre-registration by Aug. 26 is required. Class size will be limited. No walk-ins will be accepted. The fee for this horticulture training is $225 per person, which includes all class sessions and materials, as well as the Cornell University Master Gardener Manual on CD.

If you have a passion for volunteering and gardening, this training is the first requirement to becoming a Genesee County Master Gardener. Graduates of the program (Genesee county residents) are then eligible to apply to become a Genesee County Master Gardener volunteer. (Other county residents should contact their local Master Gardener program.) A Master Gardener volunteer should have a willingness to give back to the community and help put into practice what they learned at training. Enthusiasm for sharing their skills and knowledge is a must.

For an informational brochure or to register contact Brandie Schultz at 585-343-3040, ext. 101, or stop by the Extension office located at 420 E. Main St. in Batavia.

Press release:

This summer join the Genesee County Master Gardeners for our monthly series, “Garden Talk."

Taught by Master Gardeners, the programs will be held once month, during the “lunch hour” from 12:15 to 12:45 p.m. Bring your lunch to the CCE office (420 E. Main St, Batavia) and join us to learn more about gardening! This series is free and open to the public. Registration is not required.

The next program will be held June 7 with the topic, “Introduction to Beneficial Insects." Most of the insects that live in your garden or landscape are beneficial. They do little or no harm to you or your plants. Some of these good guys even provide free pest control for you. So who are these allies? Come find out at our June session.

On July 12 learn about propagating perennials from cuttings. If you are looking for an easy way to create more plants for your garden, we’ll offer you some tips during this program.

Join us on Aug. 2 for a demonstration on using flowers from your garden to make beautiful arrangements.

Need a Garden Talk schedule? Contact Brandie at 585-343-3040, ext. 101. Future topics and other Master Gardener events will be posted on the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County Web site at http://genesee.cce.cornell.edu/

Jane Grehlinger gives a talk on container gardening this afternoon at Cornell Cooperative Extension during the Genesee County Master Gardeners' Spring Gala.

The event included a plant sale and chance auction.

Genesee County Master Gardeners will be hosting their annual Spring Garden Gala from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 14, at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County, 420 E. Main St. in Batavia.

There will be a plant sale featuring many kinds of perennials, house plants, geraniums and also a Basket Auction. Bring in a soil sample from your garden for free soil pH testing. Master Gardeners will be available to answer your gardening questions.

There will be a Container Garden Demonstration at 11 a.m. Find out how to create and take care of an herb container garden. Interested in helping out native bees? At 11:30 a.m., learn how to create a simple, easy to make bee house.

Don’t miss your chance to pick up some great plants (most grown by Master Gardeners), garden art and other interesting items for your garden. Plant sale starts promptly at 10 a.m. No early birds please. Basket Auction drawing starts at 12:30 p.m.

For more information contact Brandie Schultz at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County, (585) 343-3040, ext. 101, stop by the Extension office at 420 E. Main St. in Batavia.

Press release:

Genesee County Master Gardeners will be hosting their annual Fall Garden Gala on Saturday, Sept. 19, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County, 420 E. Main St. in Batavia.

There will be a plant sale featuring hardy perennials, houseplants and locally grown mums. Fall is a good time to plant many perennials as the plant will have the fall months to grow a strong root system. There will also be a chance basket auction, free soil pH testing and plenty of gardening advice from local master gardeners.

Stop by for “Flower Arrangements from the Garden” demonstration at 11 a.m. Learn how to artfully arrange fresh flowers from your garden. A variety of fresh flower arrangements created by master gardeners will also be available for sale.

Don’t miss your chance to pick up some great plants for your garden! Plant sale starts promptly at 10 a.m. No early birds please. The chance auction drawing will begin at 12:30 p.m.

For more information contact Brandie Schultz at CCE of Genesee County, (585) 343-3040, ext. 101, stop by the Extension office at 420 E. Main St. in Batavia, or visit our Web site http://genesee.cce.cornell.edu/gardening or Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/CCEofGenesee.