Seed Sowing Workshop

March 25, 2023


Brooklyn Queens Land Trust and Brooklyn Grange invite you to create customized flats for your garden in this not-your-typical seed sowing workshop with Kwesi Joseph, Urban Garden Specialist with Cornell Cooperative Extension's Harvest New York.

Learn to sow seeds in a commercial greenhouse setting and leave them to grow for eight weeks while the Brooklyn Grange Farmers lovingly tend to the seedlings. This workshop is aimed at gardeners of all experience levels. Please come if you want to grow plants that are not usually found at traditional plant giveaways, local hardware stores, or nurseries. Participants are encouraged to bring (and share!) seeds, especially ancestral seeds, culturally important seeds, or seeds with a story. Brooklyn Grange will also supply seeds the day of.

This will be a hands-on, practical session on sowing seeds. Please bring your own gloves, if possible. Space is limited so please think of your garden membership when making your sowing selections. Light refreshments will be served. For more information see the FAQ.

REGISTER by Sunday, March 19, 2023. Space will be limited to one participant per garden through March 19 after which waitlist participants will be added to the group.

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LOCATION: BROOKLYN GRANGE ? SUNSET PARK FARM
850 3rd Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11232 MAP
Trains: D/N/R (36th Street) / R (25th Street)
Bus: B37
Parking: Free parking in mall
Accessibility: Wheelchair Accessible, Elevator Access

Air-Pruned Raised Bed Workshop

May 1, 2026
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Bronx, NY

Join Connor Youngerman of Cornell Small Farms and the team at Riverdale Country School for a hands-on, train-the-trainer workshop introducing Air-Pruned Raised Beds (APRBs) from construction to implementation. Designed to equip forestry practitioners, educators, and community leaders with the skills to replicate this model. This session will cover APRB design, recommended urban tree species, installation techniques, and basic troubleshooting. Participants will not only learn the fundamentals of APRBs as a tool for growing a diverse range of urban tree species, but will also gain the knowledge and confidence to teach others how to build and manage them.

NOTE: Registration is required for this workshop. Attendance will be capped at 25 people.

Air-Pruned Raised Bed Workshop Series

May 2, 2026
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Long Island City, NY

Join Connor Youngerman of Cornell Small Farms and the team at Smiling Hogshead Ranch for a hands-on, train-the-trainer workshop introducing Air Pruned Raised Beds (APRBs) from construction to implementation. Designed to equip forestry practitioners, educators, and community leaders with the skills to replicate this model. This session will cover APRB design, recommended urban tree species, installation techniques, and basic troubleshooting. Participants will not only learn the fundamentals of APRBs as a tool for growing a diverse range of urban tree species but will also gain the knowledge and confidence to teach others how to build and manage them.

Maximizing Your Garden Space

May 9, 2026
12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Port Jefferson Station, NY

Celebrate spring and get your garden growing with this hands-on workshop on maximizing your garden space! Join Cornell Urban Garden Specialist Karen Guzman as she shares practical strategies to maximize limited space. Participants will learn about the current state-wide soil testing program and crop planning techniques designed to increase yields and extend the growing season.

Community Garden Leadership Program - Application Open Now!

The Cornell Community Garden Leadership Program is a year-long online program that prepares individuals to enhance their leadership skills to strengthen community gardens throughout New York State. The program equips community gardeners with management best practices and operational skills to improve garden sustainability. The program also connects gardeners to regional resources, professional development opportunities, and a statewide community garden leadership network.

Register for a virtual information session to learn more about the program and discover if this program is the right fit for you. Each information session is typically 45min-1hr.

Session Dates: 

Community Gardens Soil Testing Program Accepting Applications

Soil testing supports the growth and expansion of community gardens by protecting the health and safety of the food produced in these gardens. CCE Harvest NY, in partnership with the NYS Department of Agriculture & Markets (AGM) and the Cornell Soil Health Lab, is offering eligible, food-producing gardens in New York State the opportunity to send soil samples for testing without charge.

The soil test will analyze samples for heavy metals and nutrient levels. Test results help gardeners make appropriate plans to produce high quality fruits, vegetables, and flowers. Technical support and education for participating growers will be available from the CCE Harvest New York team. Learn more about the 2026 Community Gardens Soil Testing Program.