Spring Gardening Day

Spring Gardening Day is back! Join us for a full day of learning, inspiration, and connection for gardeners of all levels. This in-person event features practical, science-based workshops, a keynote presentation, vendors, and plenty of opportunities to learn from—and connect with—fellow gardeners.

Event Details

• Date: Saturday, March 28, 2026
• Time: 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM
• Location: Hudson Jr/Sr High School, Hudson, NY
• Fee: $45
• Format: In-person, multi-track workshops + keynote
• Who should attend: Home gardeners, Master Gardeners, community gardeners, and anyone who loves growing things 🌱

What to Expect

• Multiple workshop tracks throughout the day so you can build a schedule that fits your interests
• Sessions taught by Columbia–Greene Master Gardener Volunteers and Cornell Cooperative Extension staff
• A vendor space featuring garden-related businesses and community organizations
• Food available for purchase, including baked goods and à la carte breakfast and lunch items prepared by Master Gardener Volunteers
• Vendor raffle prizes announced during the keynote
• A closing keynote focused on native plants and garden design

Please note: Workshops are first come, first served. Seating is limited, and once a room is full, attendees may be turned away. We strongly recommend choosing a backup session for each time slot.

Workshop Tracks

(Subject to change)

• Gardening Basics (GB)
  Seed starting, composting, and foundational gardening skills
• Garden Maintenance & Management (GMM)
  Soil health, invasive plants, and pest identification & management
• Food Gardening (FG)
  Herbs, vegetables, and small-scale forest gardening
• Non-Food Gardening (NFG)
  Native trees & shrubs, rain gardens, perennial care, and plants for practical uses
• Wildlife & Habitat (WH)
  Managing nuisance wildlife, attracting birds, and understanding light pollution

Full Agenda & Course Descriptions

Plan your day using our printable PDFs:

• Overview Agenda (by time & track)
• Detailed Course Descriptions (by track)

Keynote Speaker

Carolyn Summers – Flying Trillium
Native Plant Gardens: Learning by Example
1:45 PM – 3:15 PM

Carolyn Summers is a nationally recognized landscape architect, author, and educator whose work highlights the beauty and ecological value of native plants. Her keynote will draw on real-world garden examples to inspire resilient, place-based landscapes.

Vendors

Spring Gardening Day will include a vendor space featuring garden-focused businesses and organizations. Vendors may include seed companies, plant growers, tool suppliers, bird and wildlife specialists, and conservation groups.

A full vendor list will be posted as it becomes available.

Food & Refreshments

Food will be available for purchase throughout the day, including baked goods, snacks, and lunch options. All food is prepared by Master Gardener Volunteers, with proceeds supporting local educational programs.

Thank You to Our Sponsors

Spring Gardening Day 2026 is made possible with support from:

• Samascott's Garden Market
• Open Land Studio
• The Garden Club of Kinderhook
• Newton Hook Tree Care LLC
• The Chatham Berry Farm LLC
• Dean's Catskill Valley Mill
• Arthur's Point Farm
• Stoneledge Farm

Hosted By

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Columbia & Greene Counties
Columbia–Greene Master Gardener Volunteers

Community Horticulture Coordinator
Xandra Powers – xandra.powers@cornell.edu