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S25/HT1
This course is required for certified Master Gardeners as part of their requirements to maintain Active Certification for next year. The three Hot Topics for 2025 are: 'The Buzz About Honey Bees: Pollination, Honey, and Protecting Our Pollinators' by the State Apiary Inspector Paula Wolfe, 'How to Minimize Heat Related Disorders' by the COO of the UConn Korey Stringer Institute, Rebecca Stearns and a presentation on 'The Keystone Genus, Quercus' by the UConn Litchfield County Master Gardener Coordinator, Zac Bull.
"The Buzz About Honey Bees: Pollination, Honey, and Protecting Our Pollinators"
In this talk, we’ll explore the important role honey bees play in pollination and food production. Honey bees are essential to the reproduction of many plants and crops, helping to pollinate one-third of the food we eat. We’ll look at how these incredible insects produce honey, working together in a highly organized colony to gather nectar and turn it into the sweet treat we love. Honey bees are facing numerous threats, including habitat loss, pesticide exposure, and diseases. These challenges endanger not just the bees, but the ecosystems and food systems that rely on them. Join our discussion to learn what we can do to help protect these essential pollinators.
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Starts:
7/9/2025
9:00 AM
Ends:
7/9/2025
12:00 PM
Duration:
3 hours
Credits:
3 Class Hours
Pricing:
Location:
Status:
118 open seats left
S25/34
Most gardeners have spotted an unfamiliar insect, and asked themselves, "Is this a "good bug", or a "bad bug"? Or is it something else entirely?" The reality is, there are very few insects that are harmful to our plants. The majority are either beneficial, or benign. Even the so-called "bad bugs" serve a purpose. But how would you know? This timely class will explore insects that are out and about now. Discover who the "trouble makers", beneficials, and even benign insects are, as well as those interesting wild ones you may never have noticed! Weather permitting, we will be outside for part of this class.
Starts:
7/23/2025
9:30 AM
Ends:
7/23/2025
11:00 AM
Duration:
1 hour
30 minutes
Credits:
2 Class Hours
Pricing:
Location:
Status:
27 open seats left
S25/30
What makes a plant a “weed,” and what are we losing when we pull them? This class explores the ecological, culinary, and medicinal value of so-called weeds. Many are native or naturalized plants with overlooked roles in our gardens and landscapes. We’ll also cover responsible foraging, safe disposal practices to limit the spread of invasives, and how to reimagine “weeds” as allies in pollinator support and soil health. Resources will be provided. Snacks made with featured plants will be available at the end of the class to share in a potluck-style format.
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Starts:
7/23/2025
10:00 AM
Ends:
7/23/2025
12:00 PM
Duration:
2 hours
Credits:
2 Class Hours
Pricing:
Location:
Status:
30 open seats left
S25/25
Join us for an informative class on Goldenrod. As a keystone species, goldenrods are the host plants for more than 400 individual species of insects! Often mistakenly maligned for causing allergies, this herbaceous perennial is hiding more than just roots under its leaves. Learn more about its history, its impacts, and its identification in the second of our summer Keystone Species Lecture Series.
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Starts:
7/30/2025
6:00 PM
Ends:
7/30/2025
8:00 PM
Duration:
2 hours
Credits:
2 Class Hours
Pricing:
Location:
Status:
20 open seats left
S25/32
Each summer, do you find yourself with a bounty of veggies, with more than you can possibly eat? Do you find it hard to cook dinners in small batches, or like to have meals prepared in advance? This class is for you! We will cover everything the beginner canner and preserver needs to know. We will talk about canning jams, jellies, preserving vegetables, cooked meals, and more. Learn what tools you need, how to choose the best vegetables and fruits, how to safely preserve your bounty, along with great tips, recipes, and more!
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Starts:
8/26/2025
2:00 PM
Ends:
8/26/2025
4:00 PM
Duration:
2 hours
Credits:
2 Class Hours
Pricing:
Location:
Status:
45 open seats left
S25/26
Join us for an informative class on Willows. As a keystone species, willows are the host plants for more than 300 individual species of insects! More than just a statement plant, willows have a hidden depth of history and usage. Learn more about its history and its impacts, as well as identification, in the last of our summer Keystone Species Lecture Series.
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Starts:
8/27/2025
10:00 AM
Ends:
8/27/2025
12:00 PM
Duration:
2 hours
Credits:
2 Class Hours
Pricing:
Location:
Status:
38 open seats left
S25/31
Pollinators are part of the intricate web that supports biological diversity in nature which helps to sustain our quality of life. Pollinators are needed for reproduction of 90% of our flowering plants and one third of food crops. This program emphasizes the characteristics of each pollinator species and their specific needs. Because bees and other important pollinator populations are on the decline in Connecticut, it is important to know what we can do in our communities to protect and provide for them. We will also explore steps the state has taken to help with declining pollinator populations
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Starts:
9/4/2025
10:00 AM
Ends:
9/4/2025
12:00 PM
Duration:
2 hours
Credits:
2 Class Hours
Pricing:
Location:
Status:
50 open seats left
S25/27
This presentation covers results of three years of observations in a pollinator garden designed and managed by Master Gardeners at the Hill-Stead Museum. Starting with a discussion of soil vs dirt, the discussion covers what are the most beneficial native plants to consider. What makes native plants important. Which bees, butterflies, and moths are frequent visitors to a New England garden, when do they come, and what are their favorite flowers. A general planting scheme developed by the University of Rhode Island will be discussed along with a chart of recommended native flowers for pollinator gardens.
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Starts:
9/10/2025
10:00 AM
Ends:
9/10/2025
12:00 PM
Duration:
2 hours
Credits:
2 Class Hours
Pricing:
Location:
Status:
35 open seats left
S25/24
Join us for an informative class on Oak trees. As a keystone species, oaks are the host plants for more than 500 individual species of insects! Used by a variety of people for a a variety of purposes, these large specimen trees have on even larger impact on the new England ecosystem. Learn more about their history, their impacts, and their identification in the first of our Keystone Species Lecture Series.
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Starts:
9/13/2025
2:00 PM
Ends:
9/13/2025
4:00 PM
Duration:
2 hours
Credits:
2 Class Hours
Pricing:
Location:
Status:
44 open seats left
S25/33
In this lecture, Kerry will share how her outlook on flower gardening has evolved over the decades. In addition to following the latest earth-friendly practices and incorporating more natives, she has also shifted her focus from perennials to shrubs that provide months of radiant color but are far less maintenance. This eye-opening session features remarkable shrubs for front to mid-border gardens, as well as their pruning requirements. These stunning beauties also are ideal for over-wintering in containers.
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Starts:
9/27/2025
10:00 AM
Ends:
9/27/2025
12:00 PM
Duration:
2 hours
Credits:
2 Class Hours
Pricing:
Location:
Status:
37 open seats left
S25/36
Do you know the answers to these questions?
•Can you identify the weeds growing in your garden?
•Do you know why weeds appear at different times of the year?
•Are you controlling your garden weeds without chemicals?
Please join us as Advanced Master Gardener Peter Russell defines and discusses the characteristics and lifecycles of weeds common to Connecticut, their ID features, and approaches to weed control.
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Starts:
10/15/2025
7:00 PM
Ends:
10/15/2025
8:30 PM
Duration:
1 hour
30 minutes
Credits:
2 Class Hours
Pricing:
Location:
Status:
60 open seats left
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