Credit: University Photography

‘Paint and Sip’ at the Botanic Gardens

Enjoy an afternoon of painting and wine in an introduction to botanical watercolors with acclaimed local artist Camille Doucet, Sept. 17, 2-5 p.m. at the Nevin Welcome Center. Wine by the glass will be available for purchase from Six Mile Creek Vineyard. Light snacks and basic watercolor materials will be provided, or bring your own watercolor set. Participants must be 21 or older and prepared to show proof of age. Pre-registration is required. Cost: $40 ($36 for Cornell Botanic Garden members). Wine is not included in the registration fee.

Cooperative Extension Advanced Compost series

Go beyond the basics and “dig deeper” into the art and science of composting in this three-class series, all held 6-7:30 p.m., at the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County, Room A, 615 Willow Ave., Ithaca:

• Class 1, Sept. 14: How composting works / the composting process
• Class 2, Sept. 21: Testing and use
• Class 3, Oct. 5: Troubleshooting and advanced techniques

Come to one class or all. Go home with some new ideas and with a more complete understanding of how composting works – just in time for the fall leaf season.

Cooperative Extension Heirloom Tomato Festival

Sample many varieties of heirloom tomatoes at one time, Sept. 17, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Then take home some saved seeds so you can grow these delicious yet sometimes hard-to-find varieties in your own garden. The tomato sampling and seed saving instruction will be ongoing, so drop in when you can, at the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County, 615 Willow Avenue, Ithaca. Suggested $5 donation to cover cost of materials.