master gardeners

 Beginning September 10, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County will begin training a new class of Master Gardeners through our “Principles of Gardening” program.  Classes will be held at the CCE office at 420 East Main Street, Batavia on Wednesday evenings from 6 to 9 pm through November 19.  (There will also be a full day session on Saturday, November 8.)  Pre-registration by August 25 is required as the class size is limited.

Participants will enjoy learning about a variety of horticulture topics including: botany, plant pathology, entomology, soils & fertilizers, lawn care, vegetable gardening, weed identification, woody ornamentals, fruit, perennials and annuals.  Each class will focus on a different topic throughout the training.

Anyone interested in learning more about gardening may attend the course.  The fee for training is $225 per person.

This training is the first requirement to becoming a Genesee County Master Gardener.  Genesee county residents who complete the course are then eligible to apply to the Genesee County Master Gardener program.  (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 application or to register contact Brandie Schultz at 585-343-3040, ext. 101 or stop by the Extension office at 420 East Main Street in Batavia.

Genesee County Master Gardeners will be offering their popular Coffee and Dessert Series this spring.  Participants enjoy a variety of gardening topics taught by Master Gardeners along with coffee, tea and dessert.

April 9 – “Herbs & Edibles”.  Growing a kitchen garden with herbs and other plant edibles is a great way of combining two of our favorite pastimes, gardening and eating!  After a long winter and checking the food prices on the grocery shelves, there is so much reward in starting your own garden of herbs and plant edibles.  With little space and $$, you can start this spring project with the kids, family and friends!  Call to register.  Space still available.

April 16 – “Square Foot & Container Gardening”.  Would you like to grow nutritious, great tasting vegetables but always come up with the same excuses?  Too much work – too many weeds – takes too much space – bad soil…  Square Foot Gardening solves all these problems in a simple, easy and logical manner.  Let us show you how it is done.  Still not sure?  Try growing your veggies in a container.  We will share with you the basics of container gardening.  Registration deadline is April 11.

April 23 – “Groundcovers - the Rodney Dangerfield of the Plant World”. -  Ground covers are more than the plants of last resort for difficult to grow areas.  Find out when and where to use these versatile plants to both benefit and enhance your gardens and landscapes.  Registration deadline is April 18.

April 30 – “Nobody Eats Nightshade, Everyone Eats Potatoes”.   Even within the same plant family, parts of one plant can be eaten while another plant should be avoided.  Learn to know the difference to keep your pets and family safe.  Registration deadline is April 25.

All programs are from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Genesee County Cornell Cooperative Extension at 420 East Main Street, Batavia.  Cost is $10 per person per class.  Pre-registration is required as class size is limited.  Contact Brandie at 585-343-3040, ext. 101 or stop by our office at 420 East Main Street in Batavia to register.  For more information visit our website at: www.genesee.shutterfly.com.

BATAVIA – Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County will be offering the popular Master Gardener Training series from 5:45 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday evenings, Sept. 8 through Nov. 17.

Participants will also be required to attend an additional session from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 30.

Pre-registration by Aug. 27 is required. No walk-ins are allowed. The fee for the series is $200 per person and includes a NYS Master Gardener Manual on a CD.

Sessions will be held at the Kennedy Building located on the Genesee County Fairgrounds on Route 5 in Batavia.

Master Gardener Training teaches participants about: garden botany; growing fruit at home; herbs; insects; perennials and annuals; organic gardening; pruning; soils and fertilizers; turf grass; vegetable gardening; weed identification; woody plant materials; and how to diagnose plant diseases/problems.

Graduates of the program are eligible to become “Certified” Master Gardeners by completing volunteer work at their local Extension Office.

More information can be found on the extension website at <http://genesee.shutterfly.com/gardening>.

To register, contact Amy Berry at (585) 343-3040, ext. 106, or stop by the extension office located at 420 E. Main St. in Batavia.

Have you wondered why your vegetables just don’t seem to grow? Do you want to start a vegetable garden but have no idea where to start? Then this class is for you!

The “Successful Vegetable Gardening” workshop will be offered from 6 to 8pm on April 7th as part of Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Coffee and Dessert Series. The workshop will be taught by Bill Stedman, Master Gardener, and will cover the in’s and out’s of successful vegetable gardening.  Whether you are a beginner or have been growing your own vegetables for years, Bill has great tips for creating a bountiful garden. Attendees will also enjoy coffee, tea and desserts as part of the program.

Workshop will be held at the Extension building at 420 E. Main Street in Batavia and cost is $10 per person. Pre-registration is required by April 5, so reserve your seat now by contacting Amy at 585-343-3040 ext. 106 or stopping by the Extension office in Batavia.

Other upcoming sessions in the Coffee and Dessert Series include: “Planning Your Landscape” on April 15th, “Hostas” on May 5, “The Edible Landscape” on May 12, and the always popular “Container Gardening Workshop” on May 25. Hans Hunz will offer a free session on Bluebird Beauty on April 21. Visit the website www.genesee.shutterfly.com for more details or call Amy at 585-343-3040 ext. 106 to register.