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Garden Day 2025

• Saturday, April 5, 2025, 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM

We are pleased to announce our Keynote Speaker, Michael Hagen, Curator of the Native Plant Garden and the Rock Gardenat New York Botanical Garden, who will presentThe Challenges of a Public Native Plant Garden: Maintenance, Interpretation and Compromise.

As an attendee, you have the opportunity to choose four enriching classes out of 16 available options, designed to elevate your gardening skills.

 Keynote Speaker, Michael Hagen 9am -10am

The Challenges of a Public Native Plant Garden: Maintenance, Interpretation and Compromise NYBG has a long history of showcasing northeastern North America’s native flora, inspired by its first director, Nathaniel Lord Britton. In the late 1930s, T.H. Everett created a wildflower display near the rock garden. A revamped, 3½ acre native plant garden opened in 2013. This talk will share challenges, maintenance strategies, and lessons learned over the past decade. Michael Hagen is Curator of the Native Plant Garden and the Rock Garden at New York Botanical Garden, and an Institutional Conservation Officer for the Center for Plant Conservation. He previously served for almost 13 years as Staff Horticulturist at Stonecrop Gardens in Cold Spring, NY and was Garden Manager at Rocky Hills, in Mt. Kisco, a preservation project of the Garden Conservancy. He is an adjunct professor at Westchester Community College where he lectures on Sustainability, Native Plant Propagation and Gardening with Native Plants.

Session One 10:15 to 11:15

Flooding, Drought, Shade, and Deer—Oh My!  Rachel Schwartz and Holly Strutt, MGVs

Challenges in the garden can seem overwhelming—poor drainage, dry spots, drought, tree cover, or even hungry deer. In this class, you’ll discover plants that thrive in tough conditions and strategies to deal with deer, turning those “ungardenable” areas into thriving gardens.

Rachel Schwartz is a new Master Gardener Volunteer who started gardening long before she had any idea what she was doing. Her current gardening projects include turning her lawn into a haven for pollinators, tackling pesky invasives and tending to her many, many houseplants. Before she got into gardening she was a television news producer and then a NYC public school teacher. She is currently taking sustainable horticulture classes at the New York Botanical Gardens.

Holly Strutt gardens in Saugerties focusing on perennials, herbs, and a diverse cut flower garden. She also has a special interest in creating habitat for birds and other critters with native plants in the landscape. Holly has been inspired to garden since about 2016, when a talented gardener friend helped her with the first landscaping on her new property and built an herb bed. She became a Master Gardener Volunteer in 2024. Holly is a real estate attorney when she’s not in the garden.

Fabulous Foliage: Year-Round Interest for Your Garden Victoria Coyne, Landscape Garden Designer

Flowers may be fleeting, but foliage can provide lasting beauty and charm. Discover how to make foliage the star of your garden and create stunning, year-round interest. In this class, you’ll learn how to select plants with striking textures, captivating leaf colors, and creative combinations that will elevate your garden to new heights. Whether you’re looking to refresh your existing space or design something entirely new, this class will inspire you to reimagine your garden’s potential by focusing on the enduring allure of foliage.

Victoria Coyne has been a landscape garden designer for over 40 years. After graduating with a degree in Ornamental Horticulture, from SUNY Ulster she founded Victoria Gardens, a landscape design company in 1986. In 2003 Victoria and her husband expanded the business. They transformed a neglected property in Rosendale into a nursery, garden center and gift shop. In 2024 her step daughter Donna Waddell joined the business as a partner.

Color Theory II for Gardeners David Thiergartner, MGV

Color Theory II builds on garden color exploration, using art masterpieces like Van Gogh’s White Roses and Seurat’s pointillism for inspiration. Learn about monochromatic, complementary, and analogous color schemes, and discover plants to create calm or vibrant gardens. We’ll also cover sequential and matrix planting to maintain color throughout the year.

David Thiergartner is an award winning Interior Designer and owner of an architectural interior design firm as well as an avid gardener. He is recognized for his understated elegant interiors. David has designed luxurious interiors throughout the countryand his work has appeared in The New York Times, House Beautiful and numerous publications. 

Establishing a Native Pollinator Meadow Richard Kilberg and Michael Piedmonte, MGVs

Creating a pollinator meadow boosts native biodiversity, enhances beauty, and reduces lawn care. However, it requires removing existing vegetation, selecting suitable plants, guarding against invasive re-colonization and managing natural meadow development. We’ll share our experiences and tips to guide your project.

Richard Kilberg gardens in Red Hook, NY, trying to keep up with two pretty substantial kitchen gardens, a small orchard, numerous flower beds—pond-side, terraced, arbored, etc.—and a woodlot

Michael Piedmonte is a retired teacher; this is his third year as a volunteer with the Master Garden program. During that time he has given several presentations on a variety of topics based on personal experiences and interests in gardening and the environment. Mike’s favorite view of his garden is from a hammock slung between two maple trees. 

Session Two 11:30 to 12:30

Danger in Your Backyard! Not All Plants are Safe Cecily Frazier, MGV

Cecily usually wore gloves while gardening—until she learned about the poisonous plants in her yard from Wicked Plants by Amy Stewart, now it is essential. This talk will teach you how to protect yourself, your family, and pets from dangerous plants. Some cause mild rashes, others are more severe. Learn to identify risks and take action to stay safe.

Cecily Frazier has been an organic gardener for more than 50 years. As she became more and more focused on helping to restore a renewed balance of nature in her gardens, she learned about using beneficial insects to help control pest insects, and how she could establish and maintain them. She is trying to put as many native plants into her yard as possible. The insects need them to survive, and we really need the insects to thrive so we can survive.

Annuals in Bloom: 2025—Trends and Tips for a Vibrant Garden Sue Trager, MGV

Annuals create a seasonal array of vibrant color and striking textures that fill the garden from spring to frost. Learn what the trends are for 2025, plant combinations, good practices, tips and more to keep your garden flowering through fall. 

Sue Trager has a passion for “all things gardening”; it led her to become a Master Gardener Volunteer in 2015. She is an accredited Flower Show Judge as well as Gardening, Environmental and Landscape Consultant through National Garden Clubs. Susan has worked for Westchester County Parks as well as a volunteer for The Native Plant Center at Westchester Community College.

Cover Crops for Beginners: Building Healthy Soil  Julie Goldsheid, MGV

Curious about cover crops? This beginner-friendly class covers the basics of using cover crops to boost soil health and garden productivity. Learn what they are, why they’re beneficial, how they differ, and how to manage them effectively for any garden type.

Julie Goldsheid has been organically gardening vegetables and perennials in Kerhonkson for over 25 years, was in the 2024 Master Gardener class and loves learning and sharing the joys and challenges of gardening.

Let’s Talk Heirloom Tomatoes  Michael Hughes, MGV

Heirloom tomatoes come in many sizes, shapes and colors. Growing them is a way to insure they don’t disappear and that their seeds continue to be available. We will discuss the differences between heirlooms, open pollinated, hybrids and dwarf tomatoes. We will touch upon what variety grows best inthis area, diseases and prevention.

Michael Hughes is a retired chef and a Master Gardener who lives in Saugerties. Michael is also a certified Master Composter. For over thirty years Michael has been growing (and still does) a variety of vegetables and herbs organically in raised beds and containers. Michael is an avid garlic growerand a member of the Garlic Seed Foundation.

Session Three 1:45 to 2:45

Designing and Planting Pots and Hanging Baskets with Annuals Cynthia Starr, MGV

Planting pots and hanging baskets can add color and interest to your garden, porch, or patio. They are especially useful if your garden space is limited. Many years of condo living hasgiven me lots of opportunities to learn about and improve myskills with container gardening. I have learned what containers, flowers, fertilizers, and techniques will yield results you can enjoy from May through October. I look forward to passing on my knowledge, resources, and tips to help you be successful with your pots and hanging baskets!

Cynthia Starr completed the MGV Program in April 2024. She has enjoyed gardening since childhood, watching her mom make things grow inside and out! She taught second grade for 30 years and enjoys passing on knowledge and helping others learn.

The Good, The Bad, and the Buggy: Identifying Plant Problems and Solutions Barbara Bravo, MGV

Don’t let pests, diseases, or unexplained issues drive you to throw in the trowel. There are effective tools and methods available to help you identify and resolve those frustrating problems. In this class, you’ll learn how to pinpoint the cause of various garden challenges, whether they stem from fungal, bacterial, viral, insect damage, or abiotic factors like weather extremes. We will explore practical, low-impact solutions for control and prevention, focusing on integrated plant management techniques. You’ll also discover valuable resources and time-tested reference books that will guide you toward sustainable gardening practices.

Barbara Bravo has more than 25 years-experience gardening where the wildlife is plentiful and where she continues to learn peaceful co-existence. She is a Master Gardener Volunteer and Coordinator of Garden Day, an annual CCE educational event, and has lectured on many topics. When not in the garden, she may be found working in her studio creating handmade tiles and nature inspired pottery.

Cultivating Mushrooms for the Home Gardener Skip and Diane Carlson, MGVs

This program explores the world of mushrooms, covering their life cycle, history, and cultivation. We’ll compare cultivated and wild mushrooms, highlight popular varieties like Shiitake, Oyster, and Lion’s Mane, and discuss their uses and ecological role. Learn how to grow your own mushrooms with step-bystep guidance.

Skip and Diane Carlson own a small market farm in Palenville, NY. They grow berries, vegetables, shitake mushrooms and, of course, heirloom tomatoes. They are also a supplier of tomato seeds for Fedco-Seeds.

The Hidden Wisdom of Plants: Unlocking Nature’s Secrets Diane Backus, MGV

Have you ever wondered about what plants know? In this course, you will learn about the fascinating research being done by botanists all around the world. You will acquire a new understanding of the plant world and all the gifts they give us, including life itself.

Diane Backus has been a Master Gardener for 10 years. She has been playing in her perennial garden for over 40 years, enjoying the beauty and successes, and groaning over the failures, fungi and pests. She loves sharing her knowledge of gardening as well as her plants. One of her goals is to visit a botanical garden in every state. So far, she has visited 26 gardens in 15 states.

Session Four 3:00 to 4:00

Invasive Plants – Work Smarter not Harder Shannon Smith, MGV

Invasive plant species can be a gardener’s worst nightmare. Plants adapted for harsher conditions can quickly dominate bed, woodland, and lawn areas and crowd out desired species. An intrepid gardener may endlessly pull and cut, only to see the invader return even more successfully! What to do??? In this workshop we’ll learn about the characteristics of invasive plants, the stages of invasions, and how to strategically use a plant’s lifecycle to limit its success. We’ll discuss examples of invasive plant species common in our area and share practical tips to deal with new and established invasions.

Shannon Smith has been gardening for 15 years in urban gardens and the woods of Esopus. She enjoys vegetable gardening and landscape gardening with native species. Her experience with invasive species began with a desire to recover woods that she stewards from centuries of clearing and understory destruction. In her “day” job, Shannon works with a nonprofit that supports local farms.

Exploring Edible Flowers and Herbs: A Delight for the Senses Dottie DeMarco and Catherine Pietrow, MGVs

Flowers and herbs add color, scent, and flavor to dishes. Discover edible flowers for garnishes and adding earthy flavors and texture to salads. We will explore the versatility of herbs in cooking and sample treats as well as get tips for including them in your daily routine

Dottie DeMarco is a lifelong gardener from Marlboro NY. She founded Dottie Leaf Plant Co. to immerse herself in her growing passion and to offset her busy travel and work schedule. She continues to perfect all-season growing in her greenhouse. Dottie became a MGV in 2024.

Catherine Pietrow Learning to garden at her grandmother’s knee while growing up in Tennessee, Catherine has been an avid gardener for 40 years. With a special interest in growing perennials, vegetables, and herbs in her Rhinebeck gardens, she is dedicated to making the earth a greener place and loves talking about all things gardening.

Pruning Shrubs & Trees John McCormick, MGV

This class will start in the classroom with a presentation of information on what to prune, when to prune, how to prune and what tools to use. We will then venture outdoors to needy shrubs to apply pruning techniques discussed in class. Please be prepared to bring a jacket.

John McCormick has been a CCE Master Gardener since 2008. As a boy, his informal education in gardening and landscaping started on a small Westchester farm market and later working summers for a landscaping company while attending SUNY New Paltz. Over the years and through experience John has become an expert at pruning.

The How and Why of Creating a Habitat for Beneficial Insects and Pollinators Janine Connell, MGV

Explore ideas for home gardeners to create habitats that not only attract pollinators and other beneficial insects, but allow them to thrive. We will explore the relationship between native plants and various beneficials; discuss strategies to help migratory pollinators; focus on our unsung heroes—the solitary, native bees; and rethink wasps!

Janine Connell has over ten years of gardening experience, has been a farmhand and landscaper, and became a Master Gardener in 2021. She is most often found eagle watching in her garden, or warring with stiltgrass and mugwort at her home in the Hudson Valley.

Fee

Registration is $ and $67 if you would like lunch. No Refunds

Register

https://www.cceevents.org/e/2025-garden-day-garden-with-confidence

Location

SUNY Ulster
491 Cottekill Road
Stone Ridge, New York 12484

Last updated February 6, 2025