CCESO Fall Programs to Focus on Seeds Saving, Cover Crops, and Beneficial Insects

COBLESKILL / COOPERSTOWN — For the home gardener, September and October are typically the time when things are winding down in the garden and the clean-up process begins. But wait! Before you cut back those perennials and dig up those annuals, join Cornell Cooperative Extension Schoharie and Otsego Counties (CCESO) for two fall programs focused on seed saving, cover crops, soil testing, and beneficial insects!

Thursday, September 26th (4 - 6 p.m.): Otsego Master Gardener Volunteer, Kim L’Heureux, will be sharing information about cover crops and seed saving at CCESO’s new demonstration garden at 123 Lake Street in Cooperstown. Stop in to learn about which plants are best suited to saving and about how home gardeners can utilize cover crops. Master Gardener Volunteers will also be doing free soil pH tests so bring a sample of dry soil from your garden or lawn and we will test it!  This program is free and pre-registration is not required.

Saturday, October 5th (10:30 a.m. - Noon): CCESO is thrilled to have Dr. Amara Dunn-Silver from Cornell’s New York State Integrated Pest Management Program join us for a program on “Putting Your Garden to Bed Dos and Don’ts”.  Dr. Dunn-Silver will lead a discussion on how and when to clean up your vegetable or flower gardens. Sanitation (removing diseased plants) is an important part of good gardening integrated pest management.  Learn about when it’s best to “leave the leaves” for beneficial insects to over winter and what to clean up to decrease tick habitat. This interactive presentation will be held at the CCESO Otsego Education Center, 123 Lake Street, Cooperstown. Following the presentation there will be a walking tour of the new CCESO demonstration garden to discuss how you might implement what you’ve learned.

This program is free but pre-registration is REQUIRED by visiting www.cceschoharie-otsego.org or call 607-547-2536 ext. 235. Space is limited so please register by October 1, 2024.

For more information about Cornell Cooperative Extension Schoharie and Otsego Countyies’ community programs and events, go to http://cceschoharie-otsego.org or call 518-234-4303 ext 129.  Stay connected to CCE Master Gardeners Volunteers’ daily postings at https://www.facebook.com/cceotsegoMG/  and follow CCE Schoharie and Otsego on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/CCESchoharieOtsego/.