Frequently
Asked Lawn & Garden questions
Directions
to the Davidson's Mill Pond Park
MIDDLESEX
COUNTY MASTER GARDENER / ENVIRONMENTAL AND
COMMUNITY STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM
The Master Gardener Helpline is open Monday-Thursday
10:00 AM to 12:00PM
Please call (732) 398-5220 with all your
Horticulture and Backyard questions.
The Master Gardener/Environmental
& Community Stewardship Program emphasizes waste education, pesticide
reduction, water conservation & quality, the appropriate use of
fertilizers and an Integrated Pest Management approach to solving pest
problems. Master Gardeners also provide assistance with numerous extension
programs and activities during the year.
Master Gardeners
are community volunteers trained in gardening and environmental principles.
60 hours of classroom/field trip time include:
- Sound gardening
techniques - plant selection; disease, insect and weed control;
- Integrated Pest
Management;
- Composting
- Creative methods
to conserve natural resources
- Community interaction
Commitment
Master Gardeners are required to volunteer 60 hours of service to Rutgers
Cooperative Extension of Middlesex County. Volunteer service may include:
- Answering gardening
questions on the Gardeners Helpline
- Conducting composting
and recycling lectures/demonstrations
- Establishing
community beautification and demonstration gardens
- Lecturing on
a variety of gardening topics
- Assisting with
community events such as the Middlesex County Fair
Certification
Participants become certified Master Gardeners after they have satisfactorily
completed the training program and have fulfilled their volunteer service
commitment
IS THE MASTER
GARDENERS/ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM FOR YOU?
Join in the efforts
if you are:
- Interested in
learning more about plants and gardening
- Eager to gain
knowledge on using or utilizing natural resources wisely
- Willing to share
your knowledge with residents by assisting them in gardening projects
or programs
- Looking for fulfillment
resulting from community involvement
The Master Gardener
student agrees to:
- Enroll in the
program (includes a non-refundable core fee,
(which depends on whether the daytime or evening program is chosen)
for program cost and educational and laboratory materials).
- Abide by all
policies of Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Middlesex County
- Satisfactorily
complete the training program (classes, labs and field trips) within
the time period of the program
- Attend 80 percent
of all classes and field trips
- Actively participate
in program committees (2 or more)
- Participate in
mandatory "hands-on" EARTH Center garden work days during
the first growing season of their Master Gardener career
- Complete 60 hours
of community volunteer service through Rutgers Cooperative Extension
programs in Middlesex County
- Support and promote
the Master Gardener/Environmental and Community Stewardship Program,
primarily at the local level
- Assist Rutgers
Cooperative Extension with Middlesex County Fair agricultural booth
(preparation of materials and fact sheets, set up, monitoring booth,
and break down)
If you would like
more information and an application for the program, please call the
Middlesex county Ag Extension office at 732 398 5262.
Horticultural Therapy
The Middlesex County Master Gardeners Horticultural Therapy Unit is very busy.
The horticultural program uses seasonal flowers and leaves to stimulate the bodies and minds of residents of local group homes. Horticultural Therapy uses plants and gardens to promote an individual's mental, physical and intellectual well-being. These programs promote self-esteem, social interaction and mental stimulation. And the residents have FUN!!!
They currently serve residents at :
Cedar Oaks Care Center , South Plainfield
The Middlesex County VA Home, Menlo Park
More
on the Master Gardeners Program
Master Gardener Helpful Links
