HARVEST NY BOUNTY

This is a lucky moment for Master Gardeners growing vegetables in community gardens and home gardeners donating fresh produce in their community.

Harvest NY is making comprehensive soil tests available for FREE. Results will show macro & micronutrient deficiencies, pH, organic matter percentage, and any heavy metal presence. Some community gardens have separate beds, raised beds and individual plots. No matter. Harvest NY invites submission of a soil sample from EVERY bed with an application. Tests will be free until their funds are EXHAUSTED. Don’t delay. First read the rules/guidelines here. Then complete the application. Direct any questions to Karen Guzman kg578@cornell.edu.   Please also select her name when submitting an application.

Continuing Education Opportunities

As noted last month, continuing education is an ideal way to enrich your gardening expertise. Continuing education is also another way to earn MGV hours. Here a few offerings to consider.

PLANT PROPAGATION

Participants can take one, two, or all three modules: Sexual (Seed) Propagation, Vegetative Propagation, Plant Micropropagation. 

Each module is $150 or $400 for all three modules.

Live lectures online Tuesdays & Thursdays, November 4-December 9, 2025 from 2-4pm (EST). Lectures are recorded. Details at https://blogs.cornell.edu/plantpropagation.

Registration: https://plantpropagation.securepayments.cardpointe.com/pay

For more information, contact Dr. Mark Bridgen, mpb27@cornell.edu or 631-921-4941



The ART & SCIENCE of PRUNING SATURDAY, October 28, 10am-1pm

Join a workshop led by Bayard Cutting's Curator Jenna Zier to understand how, why and when to make the proper pruning cuts. Rain or shine.

Fee: $65. http://weblink.donorperfect.com/PruningWorkshop2025

MASTER RAIN GARDENER or MASTER COMPOSTER

Here are two FREE courses aligned with potential MG outreach. Consider either or both of these courses. Next spring we can explore field experiences to give you recognition as a "MASTER" in these garden specialty areas.

Rain Gardener course (7 modules, 4-6 hours to complete, online, no schedule, no cost) offered by the University of Connecticut. Start here for details. https://clear.uconn.edu/training/uconn-clear-training-courses/rain-garden-design-installation-and-maintenance-course/

Master Composter (8 topics, 8-10 hours to complete, no schedule, no course fee) offered by Michigan State University. Start here for more details.  https://www.canr.msu.edu/courses/master-composter-online-course

If any Master Gardener wants to assist in developing this initiative for Master Rain Gardener or Composter program recognition, please drop me a note.  Helping me earns MGV hours. rz378@cornell.edu

Congratulations to Master Gardeners Corrine McMahon and Joseph HInton for completing their first 125 hours and donating the volunteer fee to the Master Gardener Program.

You’re responsible for keeping track of volunteer 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.

Please contact me directly when the first 125 volunteer hours are satisfied. Keep your record (where & when) of the first 125 hours as documentation when requesting a return of the $125 fee.

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

Here's the MG Approved Site List.

This list is revisited by the Master Gardener Advisory Committee each year

Three NYS Parks are teaming up for a full day of walks, tours and activities for the entire family on October 4. For a list of activities at each park, see this description.

.Here's a thoughtful opinion piece about counting butterflies from the NY Times.

Here's a recent planting for pollinators article by Master Gardeners Alicia Whitaker and Susanne Jansson.

https://www.27east.com/home-garden/planting-for-pollinators-and-birds-2396383/

NATIVE SEED & PLANT SWAP

SAT. OCTOBER 4, 10am-noon

Come one, come all. Help yourself to collections of native seeds and plants at Downs Farm Preserve in Cutchoque. You're welcome to contribute labelled native seeds and plants if you have any to share. The event is a collaboration of North Fork SAP and the Group (for the East End.)

Kudos Suffolk Alliance of Pollinators South Fork.

A special thanks to MGs Linda Whitaker, Alicia Whitaker, Peggy Veziris as well Marisa Nelson from the Quogue Wildlife Refuge and Quogue Mayor Bob Treudale.

Here's the article about the event in the Southampton Press.

https://www.27east.com/home-garden/suffolk-alliance-for-pollinators-hosts-garden-tour-2394948/



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.