Congratulations to the Master Gardener Class of 2026!

We toured the gardens at Landcraft Foundation in the morning and then enjoyed graduation lunch at Lenz Winery. My hope is that the new Master Gardeners will meet current Master Gardeners as they begin their journey as "interim" Master Gardeners. Once the first 125 volunteer hours are reached within the next 2 years, Class of 2026 members become "official" Master Gardeners. Let's encourage and join them on their journey.

The month of June is full of photos.

The Rewild Sustainable Garden tour co-hosted with the Master Gardeners on the North Fork was a terrific opportunity to answer gardening questions from visitors. Thanks MG Nancy DePas Reinertsen for a beautiful day to see the native elderberry, coreopsis, butterfly weed and prickly pear cactus in bloom.

The Master Gardener Field trip to the North Fork Flower Farm in Southold was enjoyed by all. After MG Al Martinez Fonts (and NFFF partner) led us on a tour of rows and rows of flowers in the field, we settled in to arrange our own bouquets from the bounty of the field. A number of us visited the New Suffolk Meadow in the morning. What a fun day!

MG Monica Zenyuh, a civic leader in Northport, organized an initial town effort to support rain gardens and rain gardeners in their community. A number of Master Gardeners who pursued the Rain Garden certificate from UCONN met with the task force to identity community outreach opportunities with MG Joe Hinton.

The Bay Avenue garden in East Quogue invited the public to learn about best gardening practices by example. The Greenlawn LIRR MG site got needed attention.

The Suffolk Alliance for Pollinators (Western region) Plant Swaps sponsored by Commack and Huntington Libraries were a successful for the second year. Thanks to MGs Hope Kranidis, Carolyn Gee, Alexandra Carnicom and Nancy Dickey. Thanks also to the Team Monarch's Diane Santangelo and Lynn Walsh for engaging children at the Southold Library.

Photos from Landcraft and Lenz round out the mix.

Congratulations to Master Gardeners Barbara Butterworth, Laura Dellova and Caitlynn Schare for the completion of their first 125 hours of volunteering as a Master Gardener. Thanks so much for your donations to the Master Gardener program.

Remember you’re responsible for keeping track of your hours: 1) the number of hours since January of this calendar year and 2) the LEGACY number of hours prior to this calendar year since you became a Master Gardener.

Those working on their first 125 volunteer hours need to contact me directly via email when 125 hours are satisfied.

The Master Gardener reporting volunteers hours survey is linked here. https://cornell.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_aiagRHzCO3z8smO

Please report your hours at least twice a year. July is a good month to report. December is essential as I need to report your individual and collective activity to local, state and federal bodies.

That said, reporting every week creates more files than I can easily make sense of. Instead, keep notes on your volunteer efforts and report every couple of weeks if so inclined.

Where to volunteer?

When you report your volunteer hours, there are 5 categories of participation: Adult Education, Youth Education, Gardening, CCE Support and Continuing Education.

You can earn hours ANYWHERE in Suffolk County for YOUTH EDUCATION and ADULT EDUCATION.

You may be engaged in ANY STRIPE of activity for CCE SUPPORT and CONTINUING EDUCATION.

It's ONLY the GARDENING category that brings the MG Approved Site list into focus.

Why? There are a finite number of MGs who move on or move out of Suffolk County. Yet the gardens remain, with or without the 'founding' Master Gardeners and the next generation of MGs who follow their lead.

Here's the MG Approved Site List link.

Members of the Class of 2026. A number of you are following through on your Action Projects. Please drop me or your teaching assistant a note about new ideas or directions. We're happy to assist.

Hallockville Farm Museum

Historic Hallockville Farm is an MG site, 6038 Sound Ave, Jamesport, looking for volunteers.

The variety of gardens where you can participate or lead include a heritage herb and kitchen garden, meadow, vegetable garden and perennial flower beds. 

Volunteers come on Tuesday afternoons from 12:30 – 3:30 pm and Thursday mornings from 9:30 – 11:30 am or come when it suits you! Contact MG Bev Vlcek (631) 680-4084 or MG Christine Killoran (201) 306-2218.  

Here's a link to learn more about the historic Hallockvile community gardens.

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Footnote.

If I could give you all one gift this month, it would be a new hose. The stainless steel hose is a game changer. No kinks, possibly lighter than your current hose and rolls in the hose caddy with ease. Yes, a bit more pricey than conventional hoses. But you can find online at reasonable prices. Treat yourself for all the wonderful work you do in the garden.

OPEN INVITATION to the KETCHAM INN

The Ketcham Inn/Havens historic site in Center Moriches offers a tour of a 1200 square foot native garden perfect for pollinators which was created, planted and maintained by Master Gardeners. Designed to be in bloom from April to November, it is attractive both to pollinators and the public in the Suffolk Alliance for Pollinators mid Suffolk region.

Tell us when you want to visit.

Depending on availability, MG Jane Corrarino will set up a date/time convenient to all. Contact Jane janecorrarino@yahoo.com when interested.

PLANT SWAPS at the Harborfields Library (Greenlawn) where the librarians are SAP members! JULY 21st and August 18, 6:30-7pm.

SAVE THE DATE: Saturday, August 15 10am-1pm SAP/REWILD Garden Crawl

Greater Huntington

Details in next month's newsletter.

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MG Reid Bielecki reminds us that the LI food demand has increased. Master Gardeners with home or community gardens may drop off food any time between 9-4, Monday-Friday. Saturday 10 -2. 1543 Montauk Highway, Bellport. 631-758-7584   www.lighthousemission.com

The Mission distributes food, clothing & essentials to 2,500+ people in 9 sites.

Annual Open House at LIHREC

Saturday, July 11 10am-4pm Rain or Shine. 3059 Sound Avenue, Riverhead

Events include: Plant Sale, garden tours

flower arranging workshop, and wagon ride through agriculture fields.

Suffolk Master Gardeners may visit Tuesday, July 14 from 9 AM - 11 AM.



This newsletter is posted on our MG webpage linked here.https://ccesuffolk.org/gardening/master-gardener-volunteers

If you have photos or news to share in the newsletter, you can email me at rz378@cornell.edu

Or...

Post photos, events and news on our Master Gardener facebook page.

Here's the facebook link. https://www.facebook.com/groups/106946829922350/

Happy Gardening!

Roxanne Zimmer

 423 Griffing Avenue, Suite 100, Riverhead, NY 11901-3071

631-727-7850

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.

Cornell Cooperative Extension is funded in part by Suffolk County through the office of the County Executive, and the County Legislature.