Hone your gardening skills

From the Bronx Green-Up and the NYC Compost Project: Read below for upcoming winter events as well as how you can apply to our 2015 certificate programs. For other community and gardening events; a list of grant information and resources; and internship and job opportunities, click here. BRONX GREEN-UP Pre-registration recommended. To reserve your place or for more information, please contact Bronx Green-Up at 718.817.8026 or bronxgreenup@nybg.org. Be aware that space is limited for some events; priority will be given to members of Bronx Green-Up gardens and NYC Compost Project sites in the Bronx. Pruning Practice Join us for instruction and practice pruning small trees and shrubs. Dress warmly! We will provide tools. Saturday, January 3 • 11 a.m.–1 p.m. • Risse Street Community Garden • 10 Risse Street, triangular space between Grand Concourse, Jerome Avenue, and Mosholu Parkway 2015 Registration & License Renewal All GreenThumb gardens under the jurisdiction of the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation hold licenses which are set to expire on December 31, 2014. This registration session will allow all GreenThumb gardens on city property to update their registration. Gardeners will only be able to sign new licenses once registration forms have been reviewed and all materials are complete including membership lists, open hours, and the general rules and requirements of joining and being an active member of the garden. Membership lists must include at least 10 garden members with full contact information for primary contacts and mailing or e-mail addresses for regular garden members. Gardens must update their registrations in order to remain in good standing (with no violations) and eligible to receive supplies, assistance, and services. Sessions are conveniently located in all five boroughs. To register, fill out this online form. For more information, e-mail greenthumbinfo@parks.nyc.gov. Thursday, January 15 • 5–7 p.m. • The New York Botanical Garden • Watson Education Building, Room 302 (enter via the Mosholu Gate, across the street from the Metro-North Railroad Botanical Garden Station) House Plant Workshop We will talk all things house plants, from watering and maintenance to dividing overgrown plants and rooting cuttings. Bring only healthy, disease-free house plants to swap with others. Saturday, February 7 • 10 a.m.–12 p.m. • The New York Botanical Garden • Harding Lab Room 110 (enter via the Mosholu Gate, across the street from the Metro-North Railroad Botanical Garden Station) Grow More Vegetables Certificate Series 2015 The Grow More Vegetables Certificate Series is an edible gardening course designed to equip community gardeners, teachers, and city residents with organic techniques for growing vegetables safely and effectively, particularly in an urban setting. The program consists of six classroom sessions and additional hands-on gardening instruction in the field. Each student will have the opportunity to design his or her own urban vegetable gardening project as a final component of the course. The projects are open-ended with two main goals: to grow more food and to pass on the knowledge learned to an identified group in your community. To request an application, please e-mail bronxgreenup@nybg.org or call 718.817.8026. Six Wednesdays, February 18–March 25 • 6–8 p.m. • The New York Botanical Garden • Watson Education Building NYC COMPOST PROJECT Pre-registration recommended. To reserve your place or for more information, please contact the NYC Compost Project at 718.817.8543 or compost@nybg.org. Be aware that space is limited for some events; priority will be given to members of Bronx Green-Up gardens and NYC Compost Project sites in the Bronx. MulchFest: Chip In! Mulch Your Tree! Help NYC Grow! Bring your holiday tree to a designated park to be recycled into mulch that will nourish plantings across the city. Remove all lights and ornaments before bringing the tree to a MulchFest site. You are encouraged to bring sturdy bags to carry home free mulch provided at specific sites across the five boroughs. For more information, visit NYC’s 2015 Christmas Tree Recycling Web site. Saturday and Sunday, January 10 and 11 • 10 a.m.–12 p.m. • Locations throughout New York City Food Scrap Composting in New York City Are you concerned about the environmental impact of your food waste? If you have ever wondered if this organic material could serve a better purpose—such as converting to compost and returning to the soil—it can, and it is becoming easier for NYC residents to make that happen. Come to this workshop to learn about the full suite of options available in your neighborhood and citywide, including the Department of Sanitation’s new Organics Collection Pilot, food scrap drop-off programs, indoor and outdoor composting methods, and even tips for getting the most out of your food items before they turn into worm-food. Registration is required; e-mail compost@nybg.org or call 718.817.8543 to register. Thursday, January 22 • 11 a.m.–1 p.m. • Bon Secours New York Health Systems/Schervier Garden • 2975 Independence Avenue Crazy for Composting Are you passionate about composting but want more from your bin? This Q&A session provides the practical tips, advice, and encouragement you need to take composting to the next level, whether you are just starting out or have been digging in for years. Registered GreenThumb community gardens will be able to request an order of compost, soil, or clean fill for spring delivery. Registration is required; e-mail compost@nybg.org or call 718.817.8543 to register. Saturday, February 14 • 10 a.m.–12 p.m. and 1–3 p.m. • The New York Botanical Garden • Watson Education Building, Room 302 Bronx Master Composter Certificate Program, applications due February 20 This comprehensive train-the-trainer course is designed to promote the practice of composting in homes, schools, and community gardens in the Bronx. The program is held at The New York Botanical Garden in the spring beginning on March 29 and consists of eight Thursday evening classes, two Saturday field trips, and 30 hours of Bronx-based volunteer outreach service in compost education and promotion. Course material fee is $40; limited scholarships are available. For an application and more details, visit the NYC Master Composter Certificate Course Web page, e-mail compost@nybg.org, or call 718.817.8543. NYC Compost Project Information Tables Stop by for free tip sheets, pamphlets, and workshop schedules designed to help gardeners increase their composting expertise. Experts will be on hand to answer composting questions. Bronx Parks Speak Up Event registration required; for more information and to register, visit bronxspeakup.org. Saturday, February 28 • 11 a.m.–5 p.m.; Information Table, 11 a.m.–1 p.m. • Lehman College • 250 Bedford Park Boulevard West • Faculty Dining Room of the Music Building GreenThumb GrowTogether Event registration required; for more information and to register, visit greenthumbnyc.org. Saturday, March 21 • 9 a.m.–4 p.m.; Information Table, 11 a.m.–1 p.m. • Hostos Community College • East 149th Street and Grand Concourse