Barbara Bravo

While it may be winter outside, dreams and thoughts about the coming gardening season abound.  Now is a good time to look over this year's crop of seed catalogs and to place your order early.  And, it's a good time to sign up for gardening classes and lectures, too. 

CCE UC Winter Lecture Series
Do It Yourself Vegetables, Berries & Herbs
Ulster County BOCES
175 Rt. 32 North
New Paltz, NY
February 9, 16, March 1, March 22
7 to 9 pm
$15 per evening

This year's lecture series focuses on your backyard edible garden.  Starting on February 9, Master Gardener John McCormick will present everything you want to know about composting. 
On February 16, I will be presenting "Vegetables From Seed: Spring Through Fall".  In this class you will learn to base your choices on proven varieties for our local area and basic information such as starting your own plants vs. buying, using coldframes, interplanting to maximize your garden space, the benefits of annual crop rotation and how to replace valuable nutrients to the soil through cover crops and green manures. 
On March 1, Teresa Rusinek, CCE Horticulture Educator, will speak on a very popular topic "Every Tomato Under The Sun".  And,
Master Gardener, Allyson Levy, will speak about the role of herbs in the garden, the culinary arts and their rich folkloric history. 
On March 22, Steve McKay, retired Extension  Educator, will present an intensive training class about cultivation practices, harvest and storage of berry crops.
For registration information go to the Extension website:  www.cce.ulster.edu

Once a year the Master Gardeners of Cornell Cooperative Extension present this one-day gardening intensive.  With 16 classes to choose from there is something for everyone no matter your gardening skills level.  We'll be starting the day with an inspirational keynote by Prof. Jane Mt. Pleasant on "Why We Garden".  The classes, taught by Master Gardeners and specially invited guest speakers will cover everything that blooms: trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals, vines and bulbs.  For complete details and registration information go to www.cce.ulter.edu or call 845-340-3990

I'll be presenting "Master Gardeners Favorites - A Collection Of Flowering Plants Grown & Loved By Our Master Gardeners". 
Based on interviews, Master Gardeners share some gardening insights about their favorite blooming plants and tips about how to grow them successfully in the Hudson Valley region.  Class participation is invited.