2019 Summer Gardening Programs at Rensselaer County's CCE Demonstration Garden

This year's schedule of gardening programs presented by the Horticulture Program of the county's Cornell Cooperative Extension   appear below.  All programs are free and open to the public. Presenters   are either Master Gardeners or Extension staff.

The Demonstration Garden is located on the campus of  the Robert C. Parker School  at 4254 Rte. 43 in Wynantskill (North Greenbush, NY 12198).

Directions From Interstate I-90 Exit 8: East onto Rte. 43; pass through the Rte. 4 intersection towards West Sand Lake for approximately 2.1 miles;  turn left into the Robert C. Parker School. Parking is adjacent to the demonstration garden.  

For more information, call Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Horticulture Program at (518) 272-4210 or e-mail dhc3@cornell.edu.

Program Schedule

• “Introduction To Straw Bale Gardening” - Wednesday, May 15 from 7 to 8 PM. 
Planting vegetables and flowers directly into straw bales may sound odd, but it provides many advanatges and amazing results! Master and Straw Bale Gardener Becky Raymond will show us this novel technique. Bring your garden soil for a free pH test, too!

• “Starting Right With Tomatoes” - Tuesday, May 21 from 7 to 8 PM.
Tiny tomato plants are like puppies: they grow best with guidance. We’ll discuss how to prepare the soil, plant, fertilize, water, stake and keep diseases at bay so your young tomato plants will produce a healthy harvest. Bring your garden soil for a free pH test, too!

• “Perennial Plant Propagation: New Plants From Old” - Wednesday, June 5 from 7 to 8 PM. 
Come watch Master Gardeners demonstrate various techniques to get new plants from your favorite perennial plants. We’ll show simple division, softwood cuttings and other techniques you can employ at home, and giveaway some samples, too!

• “Using Herbs Throughout The Seasons” - Tuesday, July 9 from 7 to 8 PM. 
Explore the varied uses of herbs you can grow yourself, including for teas, medicine and cooking. The basics of growing herbs and of drying and storing them for future enjoyment will also be discussed by Master Gardeners led by Kathy Hartley and Janet Poole.

• “Cooking In The Garden” - Tuesday, July 30 from 7 to 8 PM.
Back by popular demand! What can you do with summer’s gorgeous produce? Using vegetables grown on-site Master Gardeners will prepare a variety of fresh and healthy dishes to share with the audience. Join us to learn new recipes and enjoy sampling some delicious sum- mer foods! Master Gardener leaders will be Nancy Scott and Barbara Nuffer.

• “Late Summer Is For Lawns” - Tuesday, August 13 from 7 to 8 PM. 
Mid-August to mid- September is the best time for lawn weed management, overseeding, fertilizing, and renovation. Bring samples of problems (weeds, bugs, etc.) and we’ll discuss options to improve your lawn for the future. Hosted by CCE Educator David Chinery.

• “Great Tomato Tasting” - Tuesday, August 20, from 6:30 to 7:30 PM. 
NOTE EARLIER START TIME! What’s your favorite tomato? Come find out by tasting a wide variety of delicious tomatoes grown by Master Gardeners. We’ll have some old favorites as well as some new top picks. We’ll also talk about tomato growing challenges, so bring us your tired, your diseased, your dead specimens, yearning to be compost.

“Cornell Cooperative Extension is an employer and educator recognized for valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities and provides equal program and employment opportunities.”  Individuals with questions or special needs requiring accommodation should contact Cornell Cooperative Extension at (518) 272- 4210. CCE provides equal program and employment opportunities.