Boston Flora

Tag: Cornell Cooperative Extension

  • Saturday, April 7, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm – Pruning for Fruit Production: Pome and Stone Fruit Trees

    This Berkshire Botanical Garden demonstration/workshop on Saturday, April 7 from 10 – 3 will focus on the specifics of pruning stone and pome fruit trees and some small fruits, including cane fruits and ribes. Unlike for ornamental woody plants, pruning for fruit is a special science that is designed to maximize fruit production. Learn the principles of pruning for shape, size, and, most importantly, fruit production. Watch a structural pruning demonstration on newly planted fruit trees. Semi-dwarf orchard trees, including mature and newly planted trees, will be available for pruning.

    Steve McKay is the former Grape and Small Fruit Specialist for Cornell Cooperative Extension in eastern New York State. He owns Micosta, a fruit nursery located in Hudson, NY, and specializes in traditional and unusual fruit tree and small fruits. $45 for BBG members, $55 for nonmembers. Participants should dress warmly and bring pruners and work gloves; dress for the weather. Register at https://berkshirebotanical.secure.force.com/events/CnP_PaaS_EVT__ExternalRegistrationPage?event_id=a2m1Y0000033aC2QAI

  • Saturday, March 28, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm – Pruning for Fruit Production

    This Berkshire Botanical Garden demonstration/workshop on Saturday, March 28 from 10 – 3 (snow date Sunday, March 29) will focus on the specifics of pruning stone and pome fruit trees and some small fruits, including cane fruits and ribes. Unlike ornamental woody plants, pruning for fruit is a special science that is designed to maximize fruit production. Learn the principles of pruning for shape, size and, most importantly, fruit production. Watch a structural pruning demonstration on newly planted fruit trees. Semi-dwarf orchard trees, including mature and newly planted trees, will be available for pruning. The workshop will take place offsite and participants should dress warmly and bring pruners and a bag lunch. $75 for BBG members, $85 for nonmembers. Register online at http://www.berkshirebotanical.org/event/pruning-for-fruit-production-pome-and-stone-fruit-trees-2/?instance_id=3300.

    Steve McKay is the former Grape and Small Fruit Specialist for Cornell Cooperative Extension in eastern New York State. He has a B.S. in entomology from U.C. Davis and a M.S. in pomology. He own Micosta, a fruit nursery located in Hudson, NY. He specializes in traditional and unusual fruit tree and small fruits.

  • Saturday, September 15, 10:00 am – 12:00 noon – Autumn Joy: Body Mechanics That Make Garden Cleanup Easy

    Take the stress and strain, aches and pains out of putting your garden to bed this fall. In this Sunday, September 15 participatory workshop explore proper body mechanics for raking, wheel barrowing, composting and mulching, along with joint protection techniques for bulb planting, pruning, digging and dividing. Determine how to choose the right ergonomic tool for the job and get nifty tips on winterizing them too! Learn to use a simple, effective and energizing stretching routine before the clean-up begins that will also keep you healthy all winter long and fit to garden next spring.

    Carrie Whitelaw is a registered horticultural therapist with the American Horticultural Therapy Association who has practiced and taught horticultural therapy since 1998. She currently coordinates programs at The Unlimited Garden, an enabling garden created by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Saratoga County, NY, and operates True Nature Garden Works, a consulting business devoted to using gardening to promote health and wellness, cultivate creativity, and reconnect individuals with their own true nature.  $22 for BBG members, $27 for non members.  Sign up at www.berkshirebotanical.org.

  • Saturday, February 5, 10:00 am – 12:00 noon – Rejuvenating an Old Apple Tree

    Think about that old, huge antique apple in the yard, or the group of five fruit trees that you enthusiastically purchased seven years ago and planted, but never pruned. This course at the Berkshire Botanical Garden in Stockbridge on Saturday, February 5 from 10 – 12, will provide information on how to correctively prune and maintain these trees for the coming years. Scientific, aesthetic, and practical reasons used in decision making will be discussed. Consider how to evaluate the tree and learn how, when, why and the cost associated with the rejuvenation process. This program is a lecture format designed to inform homeowners and arborists about the specific techniques associated with rejuvenation. Assess when to hire a professional.

    Steve McKay is the Grape and Small Fruit Specialist for Cornell Cooperative Extension in eastern New York State. He has a B.S. in entomology from U.C. Davis and a M.S. in pomology. $22 BBG members, $27 nonmembers. To register, log on to www.berkshirebotanical.org.