A lifelong gardener, Jane Corrarino describes her Master Gardener journey as ‘transformative.’

“I always thought I knew a lot about gardening …. until I enrolled in the Master Gardener Training course. The skills learned are numerous and have helped me contribute to my community in a meaningful way.”

Jane has been a driving force in restoring three gardens at the Ketcham Inn in Center Moriches, built in 1693, and served guests Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. The gardens include a historically accurate colonial kitchen garden of vegetables, flowers, and herbs. With other Master Gardeners, Jane restored a boxwood garden with white flowers from the period. Additionally, Jane has worked with others to restore a large community garden for local food pantries.

Residing in Setauket, Jane has served as a teaching assistant for the Cornell Extension Suffolk courses, Joy of Gardening and the Master Gardening Training. She’s also been a speaker for the Community Horticulture speaker’s bureau. Jane has been growing roses for 20 years, and is a member of the American Rose Society and the American Horticultural Society. She maintains a large cottage garden at her 1895 home on the National Register of Historic Places.

Since retiring as Director of Public Health Nursing for Suffolk County Department of Health Services, Jane’s efforts provide a good example of how Master Gardeners contribute to their Suffolk communities.