Cornell Cooperative Extension

Broome County
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bee on milkweed

Home Gardening

Cornell Cooperative Extension-Broome County (CCE-BC) provides answers to your gardening and insect questions through the following programs:

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Gardening Classes and Hands On Workshops 2025

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Indoor Seed Starting Workshop

Saturday, March 22 - 1 to 3

Learn all you need to know to start your own garden vegetable or flower plants from seed indoors. Seed starting mixes, lighting needs and after-care of seedlings will be explained. Gain hands-on experience as you sow seeds in a six-pack container. (Seeds will be provided or you can bring your own.) Class size is limited so pre-registration is required.  This class will be held at the George F. Johnson Memorial Library, 1001 Park Street, Endicott, NY

REGISTER HERE

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 Pruning Trees and Shrubs Workshop

Saturday, April 5th

1:00 to 3 p.m.

CCE Ag. Development Center

Cutler Botanic Garden Grounds

Work with Master Gardeners in CBG learning proper techniques pruning ornamental trees and shrubs. Learn how, why and when to prune, proper tools, tool maintenance, etc. We will be going out to the gardens for the second hour so please dress for the weather. (In the event of rain/snow cancellation, class will not be rescheduled.) Please bring a pair of garden gloves and hand pruners. Class size is limited so pre-registration is required. To register and pay online: Register

Watch for more classes at 

GFJ Library

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Contact

Linda Svoboda
Horticulture Program Educator
ljs322@cornell.edu
(607) 584-5016

Last updated February 5, 2025

Gardening

Call The Grow Line

(607) 772-8958


Open Tuesdays from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00PM., from mid-May until mid-September. During these times a trained Master Gardener Volunteer, Master Gardener Intern will answer your horticulture and pest control questions as accurately as possible utilizing Cornell University Recommendations.

Diagnostics (607) 772-8953
Cornell Cooperative Extension-Broome County offers a diagnostic service to the consumer to identify insects and plant diseases and offer environmentally responsible options for control. The Horticulture Educator and other qualified Extension Staff can provide identification and control options for insects and plant diseases. If it is felt that an accurate diagnosis cannot be given at our office, you have the option to have your specimen sent to Cornell University for analysis for a fee. Contact CCE-BC for instructions on how to collect a sample for diagnosis.

​Speakers Bureau

Cornell Cooperative Extension-Broome County and Cutler Botanic Garden offers speakers on a variety of topics on a time-available basis. Seasoned Master Gardener Volunteers and CCE Staff provide power point presentations at your group or club location. Please schedule at least eight weeks in advance. These presentations vary from 30 minutes to one hour in length, but can be adapted to suit the audience.  Speaker’s Bureaus are are $25 per topic for a groups of 50 or less. $50 for groups of 50 or more. Checks can be made payable to: CCE-BC. Proceeds support Cutler Botanic Garden.

List of available topics: 

Speakers_Bureau_2024.pdf

Contact Linda Svoboda

 (607) 772-8953 or ljs322@cornell.edu

Need Home Gardening Advice?

Ask a Master Gardener Volunteer!

Click on the link above to submit a question.  You can also upload photos of plants or insects to help solve problems or get something identified.

Or you can call the Grow Line at 607-772-8958 and leave a detailed message with your name and phone number and we will get back to you as soon as we can.

Get Tick Smart

Gardening can be a high risk activity for tick encounters.  Learn how to prevent tick- transmitted diseases by visiting:

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Soil Testing

Cornell Cooperative Extension-Broome County can assist with soil testing:

  • Complete soil nutrient analysis – Soil samples can be brought to the Information Center at CCE-BC where they will be packaged and sent to a soil test lab, Agro-One Services, in Ithaca. The fee is roughly  $30.00. Cash or check only at our office. Contact CCE-BC at (607) 772-8953 for instructions on how to properly collect a soil sample.