Come one, come all
to
the Cornell Cooperative Extension Building
423 Griffing Avenue, Riverhead
Saturday, February 1st
Forgive this departure from my first day of the month newsletter schedule. February 1st is such an event-filled day this year that I wanted to remind Master Gardeners in advance of what's happening in 423 Griffing Avenue, Riverhead. Of course, weather permitting.The Snow date for all meetings and events is Saturday, February 8.
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MASTER GARDENER TAG SALE
SATURDAY, February 1st, 8:30am-1:30pm
(Before, during & after the SAP Annual Meeting)
423 Griffing Ave. Riverhead
(SNOW DATE: Saturday, Feb. 8)
There will be over 500 gardening books, new garden tools, new tool sets, maps, posters, wheelbarrow, art work, paint sets, Master Gardener swag including red embroidered MG long sleeved shirts and who knows what other goodies are in the mix. CASH or CHECKS, please. Sorry, no credit cards. Bring a box or tote bag for your treasures. You're welcome to bring other gardening friends.
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Master Gardener
NATIVE PLANT PRE-SALE SPECIAL
LAUNCH
Saturday, February 1st, 8:30-1:30
Last year was the first year Master Gardeners were able to purchase native plants in advance via pre-ordering. We SOLD OUT of most choices. Why? The prices were right. The plants were substantial and so was their container size. These were not plugs. Instead, the plants were grown out in pints, quarts and gallons. Based on the quality and size of the plant merchandise, we're back this year with a similar special offering.
Take this opportunity to check out the 28 native plants featured this year from North Fork Natives.
Here's the link to the flipbook. https://online.fliphtml5.com/ifobx/crxh/
Here's the order form.
If you're coming to 423 Griffing Avenue on Saturday, February 1st, you can bring your completed order form with payment. Cash or checks only. Sorry, no credit cards.
Master Gardener Linda Carlson will be available to accept your order. Linda can also answer any NATIVE PLANT PRE-SALE questions if you send her an email at lindalcarlson@gmail.com.
You may also mail your order and check prepayment by following the instructions in the flipbook.
A reminder. Those who order early will have the best selection of plant material as this is a limited special of native plants.
NATIVE PLANT SALE SPECIAL PICKUP: Saturday, May 3 at the Master Gardener Plant Sale. Your order will be reserved for you.
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ANNUAL MEETING
Saturday, Feb.1st, 9:30-noon
423 Griffing Ave, Riverhead
(SNOW DATE: Sat. Feb 8)
The Suffolk Alliance for Pollinators (SAP) is a collaborating group for regional organizations connecting pollinator pathways in our communities. A number of Master Gardeners are active SAP members.
CCE Entomologist Jared Dyer is our keynote speaker this year. Jared will be identifying the most effective pollinators in our region in his "Move over Monarchs, please" presentation.
Whether you're a SAP member or not, every Master Gardener is welcome to attend this SAP meeting. If you come for our speaker at 9:40, earn 1 hour of CONTINUING EDUCATION volunteer credits. Too, you're invited to learn more about what SAP may be doing in your part of Suffolk County after the keynote.
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February 1st (1-3pm)
423 Griffing Avenue, Riverhead
(SNOW DATE: FEB. 8)
The five week Coastal Gardening course begins in person during the afternoon of February 1st. In addition to the Master Gardener teaching assistants, I'm delighted that a number of our Master Gardeners are participating in the first iteration of the course. The enrolled Master Gardeners Eileen Anders, Carol Brown, Ed Champ, Nancy Dickey, Marty Garabino, Nancy Hoffman, Doreen Monteleone, Ann Sande and Teri Smith will help make this a successful course launch.
On February 1st, a course orientation and lecture on ADDRESSING LAWN ALTERNATIVES will be offered. That said, most of the Coastal Gardening course content is accessible online, asynchronous, or on your own schedule. Speakers from the DEC, EPA, NY State and Cornell Extension address storm water management, rain gardens, native plants, lawn reduction, soil health and fresh water use. Spring field trips are planned on Saturdays in Northport and Sunken Meadow.
Four spots remain open. Anyone interested in joining the course may register here. (5 week course, plus field trips: $100.) Fee fully waived if needed.
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S
SPRING GARDENING SCHOOL
Saturday, April 5
Suffolk County Farm
Our Master Gardeners have a full day of gardening programs for this year's Spring Gardening School including Native Plant Garden Design, Hydrangeas, Pruning, and Berries for Birds.
Consider this as CONTINUING EDUCATION and earn 4 MG volunteer hours for the fun of learning with our incredibly talented Master Gardeners!
EARLY BIRD: The last day of the EARLY BIRD registration discount is Feb. 1st.
(As you may recall, last year Spring Gardening School registration closed within 3 weeks. Don't delay.)
Have a look at the program descriptions via the link to the Spring Gardening School programs flipbook. https://online.fliphtml5.com/ifobx/nwzl/
Here’s the Registration form. https://ccesuffolk.org/resources/2025-spg-registration-form
You may register by sending a check & your registration form via US mail or register via email.
CONFIRMATION. Yes, you will be receiving a confirmation, but give us at least 10 days to process the information. Please, NO PHONE CALLS inquiring about your confirmation status. The phone calls distract attention away from completing the registration process.
Kudos to MG Edith Updike, Class of 2024, who was the first to register for SGS this year!
LUNCH. Please bring your snacks and lunch. You may nibble during class sessions. The Farm also has picnic tables for your use.
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MASTER GARDENER PLANT SALE
&
NATIVE PLANT PRE-ORDER PICKUP
SATURDAY, MAY 3
(Suffolk County Farm, 8 am)
The Master Gardener Plant Sale will offer a colorful array of herbs, vegetables, annual and perennial plants from local vendors in the Pole Barn at Suffolk County Farm.
MG Denise Zizzo and her dedicated MG Team work months in advance and then all day Friday to prepare for the Master Gardener Plant Sale that's open to the public at 8 am Saturday, May 3.
Like last year, the Native Pre-Ordered Special Plants will be reserved for those who pre-ordered. Pickup in an adjoining room of the Pole Barn.
Stay tuned. We’ll also have a lineup of MORE GARDENING PROGRAMS on Saturday, May 3. Next month's MG Newsletter will include these additional garden program descriptions.
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MG Volunteer Hours
Remember you’re responsible for keeping track of your hours: 1) the number of hours per this calendar year and 2) the number of hours 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
| GARDENS of LONDON & CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW |
Join the May trip to London gardens and the Chelsea Flower Show with Cornell's Dr. Mark Bridgen.
Here are the itinerary details.
Here's the registration form.
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SECRETS of OLD GROWTH TREES
Monday, February 24, 2025
Bayard Cutting Arboretum
This year’s full-day horticultural symposium will explore tree preservation and conservation.
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Living with Great Trees -
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Caring for Old and Historic Trees –
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Archiving Old & Large Trees in US –
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Using Dendrochronology to Understand a Tree’s Life –
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Caring for Bayard Cutting's Historic Trees –
General Admission: $125, Members $100 www.bayardcuttingarboretum.com/symposium
| The Town of Riverhead is hosting a GARDEN SWAP of gently used garden tools, pots and other gardening supplies. Bring some and/or take some in this effort to reduce municipal waste on Thursday, March 6 at Stotzky Park, Riverhead. Contact for more information: schandel@townofriverheadny.gov | |
MASTER GARDENER TRAINING
To date, about 25 participants have been accepted for the upcoming Master Gardener Training. We're still accepting applications for the 2025 Master Gardener program beginning in March.
The course is a mix of in-person and online learning. Five of the classes meet on Wednesdays.
If a neighbor or friend is a good candidate for our program, please spread the word. The MG Training description and the application are found here. Full scholarships are available.
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GREEN THUMBS SUMMER CAMP
Our Master Gardeners will again be offering the GREEN THUMBS Summer Camp program on ONE day a week on Wednesdays for 7 weeks starting on July 9 in the Children's Garden at Suffolk County Farm. Any Master Gardeners interested in assisting? Please contact Bill Weresnick at billw69194@aol.com
A number of MGs on the Constant Contact list, including myself, do NOT receive this newsletter. That's why 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
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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.
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