What will my child do in the Children's Gardening Program?

Throughout the season they are enrolled, Crafters and Sprouts plant and care for a garden and learn about garden-related topics through fun enrichment activities. Each session includes time dedicated to hands-on gardening and time dedicated to learning about a particular theme, through investigations, hikes, discussions, and games. Caregiver accompanying their Sprout actively participates along with their Sprout.

Where does the Children's Gardening Program take place?

The program takes place outdoors at the Edible Academy (EA). The campus is located near the East Gate and includes gardens, classrooms, greenhouse, open air pavilions (offering relief from sun and rain), restrooms, water bottle refill station, and hand sanitizer dispensers. The classrooms and greenhouse will not be utilized during the program. The Edible Academy campus is NOT open to the public during the CGP sessions.

Does my child harvest and keep what they grow?

Many of the crops the Crafters and Sprouts plant and care for are harvested during the season they are enrolled. Some of the crops are left to grow and are harvested by the Crafters and Sprouts enrolled in subsequent seasons. Some of the crops will be harvested by Edible Academy staff and donated to local community-based food providers.

Does my child choose what they grow?

In order to have seeds and seedlings ready each program session, EA staff develop planting plans that include a diversity of crops that are seasonally appropriate. Each season more than a dozen different vegetables, herbs, and flowers are grown.

How does my child get to the Edible Academy?

Crafters and Trams are transported to and from the Edible Academy on the NYBG Trams. Trams depart from the Tulip Tree Allee. Crafters Educators join the Crafters to provide supervision during the ride.

Who teaches my child during the Children's Gardening Program?

NYBG hires and trains Crafters and Sprouts Educators to facilitate the gardening and enrichment activities planned by Edible Academy administrators. Each Educator is assigned up to 12 Crafters or 12 Sprouts and accompanying caregivers and is supported during program sessions by several Edible Academy administrators as well as Assistant Educators.

What efforts are being made to promote my child's safety during the program session?

All activities of the Children’s Gardening Program will take place outdoors; all staff and participants are required to wear face coverings indoors and in the Everett Children’s Adventure Garden and the Edible Academy. Hand washing stations and hand sanitizer stations are installed throughout the Edible Academy campus. All garden tools will be disinfected with an alcohol-based disinfectant in between users. Enrichment activities will include hikes and games that promote social distancing.

How do I enroll my child in the Children's Gardening Program?

You can enroll https://www.nybg.org/learn/kids-teens/childrens-gardening-program/ or via phone at 718.817.8181.

When does registration for the Children's Gardening Program begin?

You can register your child for Spring 2022, Summer 2022, and/or Fall 2022 sessions now.

Do NYBG Members receive a discount?

Yes, we offer CGP Crafters and Sprouts at a discounted rate for NYBG Members at the Family Level and above.

Are discounts available for enrolling in more than one season?

Yes, we offer a 10% discount for enrolling your child in three or more seasons. Please use code CGP1022 at check out.

Do you offer financial scholarships?

Yes, you may apply for a https://nybg.doubleknot.com/form/takesurvey.aspx?surveyid=83821&orgkey=3803 .

Who do I contact if I have further questions regarding the Children's Gardening Program?

You can email childed@nybg.org or call 718.817.8181

How can I purchase or renew a Membership?

You can purchase a Membership https://www.nybg.org/join-support/membership/ , on-site at any ticket window, or by calling the Membership Office. To purchase online you’ll have to create a new Member account. Renewing Members have an existing account. https://www.nybg.org/content/uploads/2019/11/ME_Members-Login-Info_2019-Final.pdf

Trade-in Tickets Towards Membership

If you have purchased regular-priced admission to the Garden, during your visit the ticket price can be applied to the cost of a Membership. For Individual and Teacher level, the cost of one regular-priced ticket is applied. The cost of two regular-priced tickets can be applied towards the purchase of a Dual Membership. The cost of two adult and two children’s tickets can be applied towards the purchase of Family–Sustaining Memberships. Please see a Visitor Services Representative on the day of your visit for additional details.

When will I receive my Membership materials?

Please allow 2–3 weeks from the date of purchase to receive your Membership materials. We will assume all proper Membership materials have been received unless notified. Please notify the Membership Office if you have not received your Membership materials 3 weeks after purchase.

Renewals may be processed at any point once your Membership term has commenced. When you renew an active Membership, it will be extended for one year from the current expiration date. The Membership Office does not retain the credit card information. This information must be re-submitted with each renewal.

When can I begin using my Member benefits?

Member admission and discounts can be used immediately upon purchase of Membership. Member Passes for guest admission or parking will be sent with your Membership materials within 2-3 weeks of purchase. Member passes can only be redeemed by presenting the physical pass at the Garden.

What admission benefits do Members receive?

Membership entitles you to year-round admission. Each Membership is allotted a fixed number of complimentary Member tickets per day determined by Membership level.

What discounts do Members receive?

Members receive a 10% discount off purchases at NYBG Shop. Members also receive discounts on education course fees and on select premium events.

Do I have to reserve tickets for timed entry?

Timed tickets may be required for admission to the Garden. This is necessary to alleviate overcrowding, ensure a more pleasant experience, and protect the Conservatory, collections, and delicate exhibitions.

How do I redeem my Member Passes?

To receive complimentary parking, redeem pass to the parking attendant upon arrival on Garden premise. When parking at our secure parking facility at 401 Bedford Park Blvd, Members must validate parking ticket and redeem pass at a Garden ticket window to avoid Event and Standard Weekday non-visitor rates. For guest admissions, passes can only be redeemed at Garden ticket windows; they cannot be reserved in advance. Each pass can be used once. If you do not have your passes when you visit, you will be required to pay regular price (no refunds).

How do I redeem Member Passes for timed-entry admission?

If a Member with a timed ticket brings a friend using a guest pass, Garden Representatives will do their best to accommodate the guest(s) at the same time. Additional timed tickets are available for purchase at regular price if you have exceeded the number of complimentary admissions allowed by your Membership level.

Can I give a friend one of my Member passes?

No. Members are required to accompany their guest(s) when using a guest pass.

Are Member Passes always valid for guest admission?

Member Passes are not valid for guest admission during the Holiday Train Show® or select premium events.

What reciprocal benefits do Members have at participating gardens and arboreta?

Garden Members receive reciprocal benefits at gardens and arboreta throughout the United States through our association with the American Horticultural Society Reciprocal Admissions Program. Benefits vary by organization. Members must contact the Garden they wish to visit confirm what benefits are available. A complete listing can be found https://ahsgardening.org/gardening-programs/rap/ .

Can I access the Garden prior to opening hours?

Early Morning Access is a great way to enjoy the beauty and solace of the New York Botanical Garden’s grounds before the Garden is open to the general public. Supporting, Contributing, Sustaining, and Patron level Members can utilize their complimentary Early Morning Access from Tuesday–Sunday, 6–10 a.m. Please have your Membership ID card or proof of Membership purchase (receipt) available when entering the Garden. Please note that no building entry is allowed with the exception of the Visitor Center and East Gate restrooms and parking is only available at the Mosholu Entrance (2950 Southern Blvd.).

How long does it take to receive my Membership card(s)?

Membership cards and passes will be mailed within 2-3 weeks of Membership purchase. Membership is active upon purchase and is not contingent upon the receipt of Membership materials.

How many cards will I receive?

Individual level will receive one Membership card. Memberships that include two or more individuals will receive at most two Membership Cards, one for each adult named on the Membership. If a Member wishes to add a new second individual to the Membership during cycle, there is a $10 replacement card fee.

Do I need my Membership card to access my benefits?

No. If you do not have your Membership card, a photo ID will be requested by Garden Representatives to receive your Member benefits. Member benefits are for the Member(s) listed on the Membership.

I lost my card. How do I get a replacement?

There is a $10 replacement fee for lost, damaged, or stolen Membership Cards You can purchase a replacement card at any ticket window when visiting the Garden or by calling the Membership Office. Please allow 2-3 weeks for the mailing of replacement card(s).

Membership is valid for one year from the date your application is processed. No refunds, extensions, or exchanges will be granted if you are for any reason unable to utilize your Membership Benefits.

Memberships, Membership Benefits, passes, and Membership Cards are nontransferable.

Membership Downgrades

The Garden does not permit a Member to downgrade to a lower Category once the Membership materials have been received and/or benefits have been used.

Membership Terms & Conditions

These terms and conditions apply to all Members of the Botanical Garden. In these terms “you/r” or “Member/s” refer to all people who have purchased or applied for a Membership at the Individual, Individual Senior, Dual, Dual Senior, Family, Family Senior, Friends & Family, Supporting, Contributing, Sustaining, and Teacher categories. The terms “we”, “NYBG”, “the Botanical Garden”, or “the Garden” refer to The New York Botanical Garden. With the exception of the benefit of admission to the Garden, we reserve the right to alter the Membership Categories and Benefits without prior notice. Members and guests are subject to conditions and policies of the Garden. We reserve the right, in our sole discretion, to refuse entry and/or Membership to a Member and to revoke a Membership without refund if a Member behaves in a threatening or abusive manner toward any person, or damages or threatens to damage any of the collections at The New York Botanical Garden. We reserve the right to amend the terms of these policies at any time. At the time of an amendment, Members will be notified.

What’s the advantage of attending the school of professional horticulture versus earning an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in horticulture?

The advantage can be summarized with one word—skills! The School’s strength is that it teaches students valuable horticulture skills, which give our graduates a competitive advantage over other programs based solely on coursework. The School’s program combines the theoretical and the practical, teaching not just how to grow plants, but why plants grow the way they do. It is due to this kind of education that our students are highly sought after, not just for internships, but also for full-time employment upon graduation.

As someone who is switching careers, what is it like to work in the horticulture industry?

It is a close-knit community of dedicated and passionate professionals who are willing to share their knowledge, experience, information, and employment opportunities. As a student, you meet many key people in this profession from around the world in diverse areas of horticulture, and as a graduate, you become part of that community. One of the biggest benefits of attending the School is making these lifelong contacts here at NYBG and beyond.

What is the typical demographic of students in the school?

Students come from all over the country and world. Most students have some college background, and many have degrees in fields other than horticulture. The majority of students are career changers and range in age from their late teens to mid-50s.

What is the job placement rate for graduates?

The School has had a job placement rate of 100% for the past 8 years. Our alumni are highly sought after by botanical gardens, public parks, celebrity estates, and even major league sports stadiums. Exceptional students also are often hired at NYBG upon graduation when a position is available. However, the School does not promise or guarantee employment.

What kind of salary can I expect to recieve

Generally, private industry pays more than public parks and gardens. The starting salary range in private industry is typically $50,000–$60,000; for non-profits it is $40,000–$55,000.

How is the two-year program divided?

The program is divided into nine terms. Academic classes are concentrated between rotations and include evening sessions.

What if I have fewer hours of experience by application deadline, should I still apply?

Yes; contact the Director to assess your situation.

How many course hours should I expect to take?

Students are required to complete 630 Course Hours and 1,990 Horticulture Rotation and Internship Hours in order to qualify for graduation.

How many hours of studying can I anticipate?

On horticulture rotation days, students start at 8 a.m. and finish at 4 p.m. On class days, students may start at 10 a.m. and finish at 6 or 9 p.m. Students also can expect to have classes some evenings throughout the year. Some courses require homework and studying outside class hours.

Why are some courses taught in the evenings?

Many courses are taught by our expert Horticulture staff. Due to their daytime schedules, they are only free to teach after 4 p.m.

Is it possible to work part-time while I am a student in the School?

Due to the intense schedule of academic courses and work rotations, in addition to various lectures, field trips, and plant ID walks, it’s nearly impossible to hold a part-time job, find time to study, and stay in good academic standing for the two-year program.

What does one recieve after Graduating from the school?

After successfully completing the program, students receive a Diploma in Horticulture from The New York Botanical Garden.

Housing is available in the Bronx and lower Westchester County within a convenient distance from the Garden. Housing is not provided by the School, and out-of-town and international students are advised to secure housing prior to arriving in New York.

When does orientation start?

Orientation starts the last week in January. New students meet staff and become familiar with the Garden’s philosophies, policies, and facilities. Orientation and special group projects with Horticulture continue through February and March to prepare students for their horticulture rotations in the spring.

Does the school provide computer access?

Computers are available 24 hours a day in the Student Room, M-280. Students may be assigned an NYBG e-mail address if desired. In addition, there is Wi-Fi service in the Watson Building and other buildings on campus.

What study and dining facilities are available to students?

Classrooms and academic facilities are in the Watson and Library buildings. The Student Room is available for meal breaks, studying, drafting, and computer use. Horticulture training is carried out at locations throughout the Garden. The Garden’s Pine Tree Café on Garden grounds is open Tuesdays through Sundays, and students enjoy a 20% discount. The Café serves pizza, panini, salads, snacks, and beverages. The Hudson Garden Grill is a more formal dining option on Garden grounds. There are also several moderately priced diners, cafés, and pizzerias within walking distance of the Garden.

Therapeutic Horticulture Certificate Program FAQs

Therapeutic Horticulture is a nature-based healing modality that empowers individuals and groups whose lives have been affected by illness, injury, disability, processes associated with aging, and/or life circumstances.

Emerging from a health and wellness model of human development, therapeutic horticulture uses plants, gardening and nature to achieve improvements in cognitive, physical, social, emotional, and spiritual well-being across a variety of communities and settings.

Anyone with a passion for plants and the desire to help others benefit from gardening and engagement with the natural world for health and wellness purposes is welcome to enroll.

This certificate greatly supports professionals working in education, mental health, and allied health professions, such as occupational, physical, speech and language, and recreational therapy. The courses in the certificate program will expand your skills and level of competence in integrating a therapeutic horticulture approach into your practice.
For those seeking to initiate or grow existing programs in community service, this certificate provides you with the background and tools to create programming in a wide variety of settings such as community gardens, nature centers, ancillary education programs, parks and recreation, supportive housing, urban farms, food alliances and more.
Our students come from all life stages and walks of life. Students bring their diverse backgrounds and varied life experiences, enriching the learning community, while creating a camaraderie of shared interests and peer support.

You will learn how evidence-based research supports the efficacy of therapeutic horticulture across a wide range of human service communities. This Certificate also covers the characteristics and needs of various human service communities who may benefit from therapeutic horticulture. The Therapeutic Horticulture Certificate will also provide you,

Skills to conduct programs for groups and individuals- goal setting, activity planning, adaptations, safety issues, accessibility, universal design, and evaluation of outcomes
A foundational knowledge of gardening practices, including how to select and care for plants appropriate for therapeutic horticulture programming
How to set up a business as an independent contractor of services and successfully market to meet the growing demand for nature related therapeutic services
How to conduct therapeutic horticulture programming by observing it in action through visits to various community sites
How to apply classroom learning to real-life situations, through a structured field experience with guidance from an experienced practitioner

Courses are offered continuously throughout the calendar year. We recommend you begin by enrolling in THP 301, our introductory course, which is the prerequisite course for all of the Therapeutic Horticulture courses in the program (THP prefix). While courses can be taken in any order, please be mindful of pre-requisites specific to individual courses. The Foundations of Horticulture courses can be taken at any time.

Some of our courses are completely online. Others are blended, which means they are online and in-person at NYBG. Our online courses are synchronous- in real time- and class sizes are kept small (12- 15 students) to allow for greater engagement with the instructor and with fellow students. At this time, we do not offer a totally virtual program. Our blended courses, as well as site visits and field experiences, require attendance in the NYC metro area.

Classes meet both online and on site at NYBG. This allows our cohorts to meet in person and experience the garden’s myriad of resources as part of the learning experience.

In Adult Education, we recognize that the time frame for completion will vary for each student and their availability to enroll in courses, dependent on their work responsibilities and family life. Most students take two-four years to complete the entire program. Students have six years from their first required course to complete a certificate.

NYBG works with several established therapeutic horticulture programs in the New York area where students can complete a 100-hour internship. At least six THP courses (electives excluded) should be completed before contacting the Program Coordinator for additional internship information. (updated 3/2023)

Our Long History

The New York Botanical Garden has the longest continuously running certificate program in the country focused on therapeutic horticulture. We offered our first course in therapeutic horticulture in the late 1970’s and began a formalized certificate program in 1987. We are proud of our 40+ year reputation of training students to use horticulture as a therapeutic medium.

Our Forward Thinking Approach

As interest in nature-based therapies continues to grow exponentially, our program develops and offers new elective courses to focus on specific topics and current trends relevant to the field. Former students and graduates are encouraged to enroll in electives that will keep them up to date while enriching their current practice.

Our Expert Faculty

Our diverse faculty is unparalleled in their therapeutic horticulture experience. As actively practicing experts in their respective fields, they bring real-world experience into classroom instruction and to their roles as mentors and site visit hosts. Our instructors are registered horticultural therapists, therapeutic horticulture practitioners, licensed social workers, occupational therapists, and other allied healthcare professionals. They are recognized leaders in the field, researchers, authors, conference presenters, recipients of prestigious awards, and creators of innovative therapeutic horticulture programs. NYBG’s accomplished master horticulturists also serve as program instructors and use our gardens and collections as your outdoor classroom.

The New York Botanical Garden and the following organizations are mutually supportive of the use of therapeutic horticulture. Our partners are valuable collaborators in the therapeutic horticulture certificate program.

The Horticultural Society of New York
NY Langone Medical Center NYC
The James J. Peters Veterans Administration Hospital Bronx NY
Caring Kind NYC: The Heart of Alzheimer’s Caregiving
Parker Life, Highland Park NJ
The Mercy Home, Brooklyn NY
Pal-O-Mine Equestrian Center, Long Island NY
Archcare: The Continuing Care Community of the Archdiocese of NY
The Good Samaritan Hospital, Suffern NY
Plantrophy, LLC
Gre’energy, LLC
The Mid- Atlantic HT Network

Currently, there are no legal requirements to practice in the field of therapeutic horticulture. The American Horticultural Therapy Association offers a Voluntary Professional Registration in Horticultural Therapy. Our certificate program does not support this registration process and we do not provide college credits.

Our certificate program has a proven track record of preparing students to complement existing careers or begin new careers. Therapeutic horticulture is a broadly encompassing field and our certificate prepares students for the many pathways that ultimately lead to more people benefitting from this unique and health-enhancing therapeutic medium.

NYBG is not able to offer scholarships at the current time. Scholarship opportunities are offered by local networking groups such as the Mid- Atlantic HT Network, the Northeast HT Network, organizations such as the Garden Club of America and local garden groups that support horticulture as a therapeutic medium.

What is Therapeutic Horticulture?

Who enrolls in Therapeutic Horticulture courses?

What will I learn?

When can I enroll?

How is the program delivered?

Where are classes held?

How long will does it take to complete the Therapeutic Horticulture Certificate?

How do I arrange a Therapeutic Horticulture Field Experience?

Why should I choose the New York Botanical Garden program?

Our Long History

Our Forward Thinking Approach

Our Expert Faculty

Which organizations in the Tri-State area are affiliated with the NYBG’s program?

Is there a license or credential required to be a Therapeutic Horticulture Specialist?

How does a certificate in Therapeutic Horticulture help my career goals?

Are there scholarships to help me complete the Program?

If I am already enrolled in the program, how do I know which classes I now need to take to complete my Horticultural Therapy Certificate?

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