master gardeners

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.