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Cornell Cooperative Extension Tompkins County @ccetompkins.bsky.social · 1d

This Tuesday, hear presentations from four Master Gardener Volunteers about how each went about growing native plants in their gardens, their successes, and lessons learned. This program is valued at $20, however, please pay what you are able. Sign up at ccetompkins.wufoo.com/forms/za9ql120ey7be8.

A cute stripey caterpillar crawling along leaves with text Native Plant Gardening: 4 Master Gardeners, 4 Approaches, 5:30-7 pm, October 28.

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Cornell Cooperative Extension Tompkins County @ccetompkins.bsky.social · 3d

Rocks, sticks, piles of leaves, and other “messy” parts of the garden also provide habitat for beneficials that will be allies in our garden come spring. Save most garden cleanup until daytime temperatures consistently reach 50°F.

Cornell Cooperative Extension Tompkins County @ccetompkins.bsky.social · 3d

Overwintering insects need winter cover. Leave the hollow stems of late blooming perennials for beneficial invertebrates to use as a cozy home for winter.

#ecologicalgardenCCE

Beneficial Insects. Image of an insect living inside a dried out hollow stem in a snow-covered garden.

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Cornell Cooperative Extension Tompkins County @ccetompkins.bsky.social · 8d

The book discussion will be led by CCETC Master Composter and Master Gardener Clare Jones. Clare leads reading groups for the Providence Athenaeum, orchestrates The Writers’ Room in partnership with Story House Ithaca, and founded the TCPL’s Salutations Seed Library.

Cornell Cooperative Extension Tompkins County @ccetompkins.bsky.social · 8d

Revisit this book from 1881 and discover what it has to share with us today in 2025. It explores the huge role that earthworms play in the development and transformation of the soil and its ability to sustain life. The book is short, sweet, and widely available online.

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Cornell Cooperative Extension Tompkins County @ccetompkins.bsky.social · 8d

All are invited to a community book discussion of Charles Darwin’s last published work, The Formation of Vegetable Mould Through the Action of Worms with Observations on Their Habits, at CCE Tompkins!

This event is free and open to the public. Sign up online at civi.ccetompkins.org/civicrm/even...

Book on table, Darwin on Earthworms (along with the full title given in the post caption) and overlaid text World Earthworm Day Book Discussion, 5:30 pm, Tuesday, October 21.

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Cornell Cooperative Extension Tompkins County @ccetompkins.bsky.social · 14d

Join us for the 4-H Fall Festival, 10 am - 3 pm on Saturday, October 18 at Ithaca's Tractor Supply Co.!

Stop by any time to visit local animals, make crafts, play games, purchase baked treats, and learn more about 4-H programs for local youth.

A view over the shoulders of two adults and a child making bookmarks.

Two 4-H youth showing bunnies on a tabletop for festival visitors.

A young person works on a craft on a table of materials.

A 4-H adult shows sheep and a calf to a visiting family.

Cornell Cooperative Extension Tompkins County @ccetompkins.bsky.social · 14d

Winter is time for record keeping, resource gathering, and reflection. Maximize your success with ecological site planning. With the "right plant, right place" approach, your garden landscape will thrive and provide abundance and habitat in a changing climate.

#ecologicalgardenCCE

Winter Checklist. Image of a person tending to a snow-covered garden. A checklist that says: Prune fruit trees and berries. Create habitat for beneficial insects and birds. Observe and reflect to plan for ecosystem health. Extend the season using cloches and cold frames.

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Cornell Cooperative Extension Tompkins County @ccetompkins.bsky.social · 21d

Learn more by emailing Nutrition Director Craig at [email protected].

All are welcome, and meetings are free!

Cornell Cooperative Extension Tompkins County @ccetompkins.bsky.social · 21d

The Healthy Eating Support Community is a welcoming, non-judgmental, and trauma-informed space for anyone struggling with making changes to their diet, for whatever reason, with whatever goals.

Next meeting Oct 9 4:30-5:30 pm, making sweet potato pie (gluten free) and winter squash salad.

Illustrations of sweet potatoes, squash, and pie, with text Autumnal cooking class. Sweet potato pie (gluten-free, sugar-free, contains nuts), winter squash soup (nut-free). Thursday, Oct 9, 4:30-5:30 pm, Cornell Cooperative Extension, 615 Willow Ave, Ithaca. To register email cl2742@cornell.edu. The Healthy Eating Support Community meets everyone other Thursday to support the health and eating goals of participants.

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Cornell Cooperative Extension Tompkins County @ccetompkins.bsky.social · 23d

Class topics include compost basics, options for outdoor composting, how to manage and troubleshoot, how and when to harvest, and the many ways to use finished compost.

A portion of this class will be held OUTDOORS in the compost demo site at CCE-Tompkins. Class held rain or shine.

Cornell Cooperative Extension Tompkins County @ccetompkins.bsky.social · 23d

Outdoor composting skills can help you to deal with large amounts of leaves, garden debris, food scraps and more in a productive and environmentally-friendly way! The compost will improve your soil and your garden will thrive.

Just $5 per household — sign up at civi.ccetompkins.org/civicrm/even....

A person kneels and points to a collection of scrap materials with compost bins in the background and text Outdoor composting class and demonstration, 5:30-7 pm, Thursday, October 9.

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Cornell Cooperative Extension Tompkins County @ccetompkins.bsky.social · 24d

Hugelkultur planting mounds add organics too. New perennial plantings also appreciate the soil boost that compost provides.

Cornell Cooperative Extension Tompkins County @ccetompkins.bsky.social · 24d

Fall is an ideal time to build new garden beds, or rehabilitate existing beds by adding compost. Sheet mulching - or lasagna gardening - is an easy, low-cost method of smothering weeds while building soil organic matter. #ecologicalgardenCC

Build Healthy Soil. Image of a garden bed with layered composting. Message that says: Create healthy, fertile soil starting in the fall.

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Cornell Cooperative Extension Tompkins County @ccetompkins.bsky.social · 28d

Due to the hands-on nature of the topic, this workshop will be offered in-person only.

This program is valued at $35, however, please pay what you are able. If you cannot afford the $15 materials cost, please contact us, scholarships are available.

Cornell Cooperative Extension Tompkins County @ccetompkins.bsky.social · 28d

Participants will learn about the safety, equipment, and benefits of preserving seasonal foods. The class will also include hands-on demos where participants will get to practice canning.

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Cornell Cooperative Extension Tompkins County @ccetompkins.bsky.social · 28d

If you've found yourself with too many apples for fresh eating, or if you're just curious about food preservation, join us at 5:30 pm on Tuesday, October 7, for a workshop on how to preserve apples and other seasonal foods at their peak flavor.

ccetompkins.org/events/2025/...

Rows of applesauce in jars with text Canning Applesauce Food Preservation Class, 5:30-7:30 pm, Tuesday, October 7.

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Cornell Cooperative Extension Tompkins County @ccetompkins.bsky.social · Sep 23

This event includes a presentation by Sameer Ranade, Senior Advisor for Climate Justice, Energy Climate Equity Team at NYSERDA, followed by a Q&A and group discussions. You can attend online or in person, and refreshments will be provided.

Cornell Cooperative Extension Tompkins County @ccetompkins.bsky.social · Sep 23

On October 1, learn about New York's Draft Energy Plan, a policy outline with recommendations for meeting future energy demands that prioritize an energy system that is reliable, clean, and affordable.

Register online at ccetompkins.org/events/2025/10/01/can-ny-have-affordable-and-clean-energy.

ccetompkins.org

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Cornell Cooperative Extension Tompkins County @ccetompkins.bsky.social · Sep 15

Some cover crops will need to be planted in mid-summer, but you can sow seeds of some cover crops into early fall.

Cornell Cooperative Extension Tompkins County @ccetompkins.bsky.social · Sep 15

Cover crops are an inexpensive and efficient way to rebuild soil fertility and organic matter while protecting your soil from winter damage. There are different cover crops for different purposes such as adding soil nutrients, feeding soil microbes, or keeping weeds at bay. #ecologicalgardenCCE

Cover Crops. Image of a garden bed of a cover crop.

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Cornell Cooperative Extension Tompkins County @ccetompkins.bsky.social · Sep 11

By planting native plants, we can provide habitat for even the smallest creatures, and by using earth-friendly landscaping practices, we can create a healthy yard and a healthy planet . Join us for the first presentation in our Native Plant Gardening series!

ccetompkins.org/events/2025/...

Native Plant Gardening: Gardening for Life

Join us for the first presentation in our Native Plant Gardening series. Caring for our yards is the most direct way we care for the earth. By planting native plants, we can provide habitat for even t...

ccetompkins.org

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Cornell Cooperative Extension Tompkins County @ccetompkins.bsky.social · Sep 10

Afterschool Adventures is open to kids grades 2-5 on Fridays from 2:30-5:00 PM.

Primitive Pursuits also has a special afterschool program at Caroline elementary for grades 1-5 on Tuesdays from 2:00-4:30 PM.

Cornell Cooperative Extension Tompkins County @ccetompkins.bsky.social · Sep 10

Learning doesn't have to stop once the school day ends! Register for Primitive Pursuits Afterschool Adventures at 4-H Acres. Our all outdoor all-weather program gives kids what they need to grow and deepen their connection with the world around them. Register at PrimitivePursuits.com/after-school.

A smiling child in a Primitive Pursuits t-shirt gives a peace sign with one hand.

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Cornell Cooperative Extension Tompkins County @ccetompkins.bsky.social · Sep 9

The workday will include an overview of this research and a tour of the plot, followed by hands-on-work weeding, mulching and repairing the 10 ft tall deer fence surrounding the site.