Courses
| The Joy of Gardening | Master Gardener Training | |||
| Purpose | Fundamental understanding of gardening to those interested in expanding their expertise, but not available for volunteering. |
Learn more about gardening. Educating adults & youth about gardening as community volunteers. |
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| Schedule | 10-week online “go-at-your-own-pace” course. Resources and learning activities include suggested field trips. | 16 week hybrid course, March-June, with 5 in-person Wed. sessions, asynchronous online learning and field trips. | ||
| Fee | $375, due with registration |
$550 ($425 course fee plus $125 refundable deposit if 125 volunteer hours are met), due after interview process | ||
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Application Deadline |
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2026 MG Training applications open Nov 1 Applications available online MG APPLICATION |
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| Course Content | Digital course material, including recorded
lectures, supplemental readings and activities.
LEVEL: little to some gardening experience; easy to moderately easy course material |
Digital course material, including recorded
lectures, supplemental readings, discussion forums; assignments, final
projects, live online class meetings, workshops, in person sessions
LEVEL: some to intermediate gardening experience; moderately easy to moderately demanding course material |
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| Course Requirements | Completion of topical subjects, consideration of garden projects |
Engagement with course content & participation in discussions, attending scheduled online and in person meetings, completed assignments including final project, path to volunteer obligation | ||
| Additional Requirements | None | Completion of 125 volunteer hours in first 2 years of course completion. A commitment of 30 hours annually thereafter. | ||
| Post-Course Engagement | Discussion of community gardening projects, option to consider Master Gardener Training |
Support in 125 volunteer hours in Master Gardener Program, community projects and continuing education opportunities. |
Contact
Roxanne Zimmer
Community Horticulture
rz378@cornell.edu
Last updated December 11, 2025
Master Gardener APPLICATION
Master Gardener Volunteer Training
16 weeks, hybrid: online & in person
Soil & Compost, Botany 101, Plant ID
Woody Plants & Disease Prevention
Propagation, Vegetable Gardening
Food Security, Entomology 101
Ecosystem Services: Lawns, Rain Gardens, Native & Pollinators
Landscape Design: Right Plant, Right Place
Wildlife Management
Action Projects, Volunteer Opportunities
Coastal Gardening
GARDENING IMPACT ON ECOSYSTEMS
The 2026 COASTAL GARDENING course offering is a mix of in-person sessions, online learning and field trips.
Speakers represent local, regional and federal organizations.
All course recordings may be viewed on your schedule.
In addition, we will meet in person three Saturdays (January 31, February 28 and March 21 from 9 until noon in the Town of Southold) to view and discuss course material and community stewardship activities.
Although not required, attending at least two of the three sessions is strongly suggested.
OPEN to all Suffolk County residents.
Living by the Sea
Water Wise
Right Plant, Right Place
Soil Solutions
Community Stewardship
Field Trips
To reserve a place in the course, please email Roxanne Zimmer, rz378@cornell.edu
Joy of Gardening
(online on your schedule)
Know Before You Grow
The Beauty of Flowers
Foliage Delivers: plants, trees and shrubs
Compost & Composting
Vegetable & Fruit Gardening
Native and Pollinator Plants
Lawn and Its Alternatives
Garden Design
Wildlife in the Garden
NEXT OFFERING: Fall 2026
A 50% discount for Veterans.
Please contact Roxanne Zimmer rz378@cornell.edu
