Workshop #1

Instructor: Jane Hurwitz, Author of Butterfly Gardening: The North American Butterfly Association Guide

Learn how to choose and cultivate plants that will attract a range of butterflies to your garden and help sustain all the stages of their life cycles. Many creative ideas on how to make your yard and garden an oasis for butterflies and other creatures will be covered.

Workshop #11

Instructor: Robert Bellek, Owner, Lily Pad Ponds, LLC

This class will cover pondless water features and water accents for your landscape, as well as installation do's and don'ts.

Workshop #21

Instructor: Jenny O'Connor, CNLP, Nursery Associate, Rutgers Landscape and Nursery

You will compose and create your own potted plant arrangement in this newly offered hands-on workshop. Jenny will provide you with tips for choosing the proper containers, types of soil, and plant combinations. She will show you how to construct an arrangement that is both visually appealing and long lasting.

(Additional fee of $45 per person applies; limited to 25 participants)

Workshop #31

Instructor: Anthony Baradhi, Floral Designer, Flower Station

Learn how to make flower arrangements and decorate your home with fresh flowers. Basic techniques for flower arranging will be demonstrated. You will take home the beautiful arrangement that you make in class. Please bring floral clippers (and gloves if you prefer) to class with you.

(Additional fee of $45 per person applies; limited to 25 participants)

Workshop #2

Instructor: Dr. David Specca, Assistant Director, Rutgers EcoComplex

The basics of hydroponic plant growth will be covered at a beginner level. Topics including types of hydroponics, common crops, and basic fertilizer requirements will be explored. We will also discuss homemade hydroponic systems and kits that are commercially available for the home gardener.

Workshop #12

Instructor: Kirsten Soriano, Horticulturist, Environmental Landscape Design

There are many factors that go into creating a successful landscape. Environment, location, and wildlife, to name a few. In this workshop, we will critique a variety of beautiful landscapes in the Jersey Shore area. We will discuss choosing the right plant material, plant combinations, maintenance, and seasonal flowers. This class will be a fun visual garden tour guaranteed to inspire your landscape creativity.

Workshop #22

Instructor: Kirsten Soriano, Horticulturist, Environmental Landscape Design

Looking for something new and fun to add to your gardening palette? Succulents make great landscaping features, container gardens, and house plants. Topics will include indoor and outdoor plant care, design ideas, and a how-to on propagating new plants in your home!

Workshop #32

Instructor: Pedro Perdomo, Registration Specialist, Nisso America, LLC

This class is a must for turfgrass (lawn care) enthusiasts. Learn the basic management practices used to prepare and maintain a healthy lawn all spring and summer long. Topics to be covered will include fertilization, dethatching, seed selection, and more.

Workshop #3

Instructor: Bob Dobson, Middletown Sprinkler Company

Drip irrigation is the most efficient way to water a garden and easy to install. Learn the basics to grow a bumper crop and conserve water at the same time.

Workshop #13

Instructor: John Zingis, LSRP, Environmental Consultant

Seasonal planting for pollinators is a key element in providing a source of food for pollinators year round. Understanding the planting landscape and selection of indigenous plant species is an important element of successful gardens. Learn the basics and receive reference guides to have your own year round pollinator garden.

Workshop #23

Instructor: John Zingis, LSRP, Environmental Consultant

This workshop will provide an overview for soil sampling techniques, using soil testing kits, and introduce the Rutgers Soil Testing Laboratory.

Workshop #33

Instructor: Joe Clark, Research Farm Supervisor, Rutgers University

This talk will cover label interpretation and simplified math formulas so applicators can do safe and effective applications. During the label section, we will discuss signal words, PPE selection, REI (reentry interval), application rates, and how to implement the information. The math part of the talk will cover the basic math formulas needed to calibrate sprayers and spreaders so that applications can be completed according to the label. There will be outdoor demonstrations on equipment calibration techniques (weather permitting).

Workshop #4

Instructor: William Hlubik, Agricultural and Resource Management Agent, Rutgers Cooperative Extension, Middlesex County

Participants will learn the basics of transitioning their passion for gardening into a productive small scale micro-farm operation, one step at a time.

Workshop #14

Instructor: William Hlubik, Agricultural and Resource Management Agent, Rutgers Cooperative Extension, Middlesex County

Participants will learn how to grow the very best tasting organic tomatoes and peppers in their garden by improving soils, selecting top performing varieties, and utilizing sound horticultural techniques.

Workshop #24

Instructor: Jim Welsh, Senior Landscape Architect, MKW Associates, LLC

This workshop will provide an overview of the yard design process, starting from the analysis of your property and the identification of how your yard can best serve your wants and needs. It then introduces basic design elements and principles and provides a review of some landscape styles to inspire you in the creation of your own landscape plan.

Workshop #34

Instructor: Christopher Markham, President/Wildlife Biologist, New Jersey Deer Control, LLC

As the local deer population has exploded over the past 30 years, gardeners have continued to battle to keep their landscapes and gardens protected from these hungry herbivores. As their numbers have grown, some of the old methods to protect the plantings have become ineffective, and many of the once known "deer resistant plants" have become much more palatable to the deer. This presentation will focus on some of the plants that are still currently deer resistant, as well as some of the modern methods used to protect the plants.

Workshop #5

Instructor: Bruce Neary, Owner, BCN Horticultural Services

Bulbs can begin flowering as early as February and last until October. We will discuss the various types and uses of spring, summer and fall flowering bulbs. Topics include implementing bulbs into existing landscapes and when and how to plant them.

Workshop #15

Instructor: Daryl Minch, Family & Community Health Sciences (FCHS), Rutgers Cooperative Extension, Somerset and Hunterdon Counties

Sweet or savory, jams taste yummy! Learn the basics of making jam, jelly, and other spreads for shelf storage (canned) or the freezer. We'll discuss ingredients, equipment, and techniques and learn about low sugar options.

Workshop #25

Instructor: Amy Cook, Owner, The Yard Farmer

Do your tomatoes consistently outgrow or knock over your tomato cages? Are your raspberry canes falling into your garden path? Want to grow cucumbers but don't have enough space? If you answered yes to any of these questions, this workshop is for you. We will learn about various methods for expertly installing and managing trellises for a variety of edible crops.

Workshop #35

Instructor: Amy Cook, Owner, The Yard Farmer

This workshop will walk you through the pros and cons of raised bed gardens; how to lay them out and construct them; gardening techniques specific to raised beds; and management tips for keeping them in top condition.

Workshop #6

Instructor: Bruce Crawford, Director, Rutgers Gardens

Most people reduce their list of small trees to Dogwoods and shade trees to Maples without giving the topic any further thought. Fortunately, the palette of trees or even large shrubs that can be 'limbed-up' to serve as a tree is immense. Bruce will discuss the various plant options available within this palette that will extend your garden's season of interest well beyond spring, as well as some fun thoughts on how to design and incorporate these plants in your garden!

Workshop #16

Instructor: Bruce Crawford, Director, Rutgers Gardens

Gardens are always fun and enjoyable, but like clothing, they can look a little better with accessories – some garden bling so to speak! These accessories can be simple, such as a container, or as complicated as artwork or fountains. Also, just as with clothing, too much garden accessorizing is not a good idea. This program will go through some thoughts on the many different types of garden accessories and how they can be tastefully incorporated into the garden.

Workshop #26

Instructor: Joel Heffner, Speaker, Photographer, Author of The Amphoto Guide to Wedding Photography

Learn how to take better pictures with the camera you always have with you...your smartphone! Techniques will be demonstrated live as well as shown on slides. In addition, you'll learn about apps that can be used to enhance your photos and techniques to preserve your garden memories.

Workshop #36

Instructor: Bruce Crawford, Director, Rutgers Gardens

Most people think about adding native plants to the garden, but few think about how to compose an attractive garden using predominantly natives. Taking into consideration the concepts of creating outdoor spaces and the use of color and texture, Bruce will look at methods for developing attractive gardens that also support our native pollinators!

Workshop #7

Instructors: Virginia Lamb, Groundwork Education and Consulting

When gardeners pay attention to the health of their soil, gardening becomes much easier! Learn the soil health basics, as well as composting tips and how to's, that will help you create your best garden soil and your best garden with the least effort.

Workshop #17

Instructor: Virginia Lamb, Groundwork Education and Consulting

Learn how to take advantage of the benefits of spring and fall gardening. Topics include site selection, bed preparation, plant selection, season extenders, crop rotation, soil health, and cover cropping.

Workshop #27

Instructor: Greg Wolek, Owner, Wolek Garden Design

This workshop will take a comprehensive look at the planting, pruning, and care of roses in the landscape. Rose varieties and the uses of roses in your garden will be discussed, as well as a demonstration on proper pruning.

Workshop #37

Instructor: Greg Wolek, Owner, Wolek Garden Design

Leaving behind the dull and boring as you walk through the "looking glass," this workshop will teach you ways to enhance the entrance to your home. Texture, form, and how to integrate color with annuals and perennials will be explored.

Workshop #8

Instructor: Ted Szczawinski, Licensed Tree Expert; Adjunct Instructor, Rutgers – Newark

This class will focus on the techniques used to identify woody plants, trees, and shrubs. Ted will teach you how to unlock clues found in the bark, the fruit, the leaves, the flowers, and more.

Workshop #18

Instructor: Ted Szczawinski, Licensed Tree Expert; Adjunct Instructor, Rutgers – Newark

Believe it or not, proper pruning techniques will keep your plants healthier and happier as well as extend their life cycle. A healthier plant is better equipped to resist disease and stress damage. This is one workshop that you don't want to 'cut!'

Workshop #28

Instructor: Steve Kristoph, Owner, Steven Kristoph Nurseries

Big leaf hydrangeas provide a gorgeous show of pink and blue mopheads during the summer. Their popularity has increased in recent years since the introduction of the Endless Summer series and others. This fascinating genus also contains eye catching white snowball trees, as well as lace caps and oak leaf...there is even one that climbs! This presentation will describe the differences among the major types of hydrangeas, care and culture, and their use in the home landscape.

Workshop #38

Instructor: Steve Kristoph, Owner, Steven Kristoph Nurseries

Want to have delicious and nutritious fruit right from your own yard, but don't have the room for an apple, peach, or cherry tree? Why not consider the "berries?" Blueberries, strawberries, and the brambles (like blackberries and raspberries) are easy to establish, can be grown organically, and provide you with fresh fruit throughout the growing season. Most types can be successfully container grown if space is at a minimum. All aspects of culture and care will be covered in this presentation.

Workshop #9

Instructor: Derron Dover, Designer/Estimator, Wainwright's Landscape Construction

In this workshop, we will discuss different types of entries into the garden and home. We will also discuss proper construction and methods for making each one unique in its own right.

Workshop #19

Instructors: Derron Dover, Designer/Estimator, Wainwright's Landscape Construction

This fun and informative workshop touches on some cool plants that can bring excitement to an otherwise dreary winter. We will discuss foliage, bark, fruit, and flowers. Yes, flowers in the winter!

Workshop #29

Instructor: Caren White, Master Gardener of Middlesex County, Herb Consultant, The Rutgers Gardens

Fresh is always best when it comes to herbs. Learn how to plan, care for, and harvest a culinary herb garden for any cuisine.

Workshop #39

Instructor: Kristen Lauersen, CNLP, Rutgers Landscaping

This workshop will discuss how to cultivate beneficial soil organisms to improve soil health and grow strong, healthy plants.

Workshop #10

Instructor: Mike Haberland, County Agent II, Associate Professor, Rutgers Cooperative Extension

Learn the basic knowledge and techniques used in beekeeping today! The biology of the honey bee and the craft of beekeeping will be examined by exploring honey bee anatomy, physiology, colony social structure and language, and products of the hive. Students will be introduced to the basic tools and knowledge to keep bees responsibly and productively. Management and current topics in beekeeping will be discussed.

Workshop #20

Instructor: Angela Monaghan, Master Gardener Coordinator, Rutgers Cooperative Extension, Middlesex County

Learn best practices for growing underground vegetable crops such as potatoes, carrots, beets, sweet potatoes, ginger, and more!

Workshop #30

Instructor: Kim Eierman, Horticulture Consultant, Kim's Native Landscape Consulting

Our native pollinators include many different species of bees, beetles, butterflies, moths, birds, flies, and even wasps. These different species of pollinators are attracted to and can utilize different native plants. A successful pollinator garden must feed all of them. Explore our native pollinators and the native plants that feed them.

Workshop #40

Instructor: Kenneth Karamichael, Office of Continuing Professional Education, Rutgers University

Learn about the latest gardening apps available for your computer and smartphone. From identifying plants, designing your gardens and containers, and sharing your experiences to a helpful digital care calendar, reminder alerts, or even troubleshooting in the garden – this innovative session will demonstrate the latest tech tools for the home gardener.