Residents of Middlesex County who have questions on home horticulture, local agriculture, pest problems or backyard conservation should call the Master Gardener Helpline at 732-398-5220.
The hours of availability are: 9:00 AM - 12 Noon April through September
10:00 AM - 12Noon October through March
If you must call on off hours, be sure to leave your home phone and a detailed message and our Master Gardener
Helpline volunteers will research the answer to your inquiry before they call you back.
About Us
Master Gardeners are community volunteers trained in gardening and
environmental principles. In order to
obtain Master Gardener certification, 60
hours of classroom/field trip time are required while in training. After
achieving certification, 25 hours of volunteer service are required each
year. Master Gardener training includes:
·
Sound gardening techniques - plant selection;
disease, insect and weed control
·
Integrated Pest Management
·
Composting
·
Creative methods to conserve natural resources
·
Community interaction
Commitment
Master Gardener interns are required to volunteer 60 hours of service to Rutgers
Cooperative Extension of Middlesex County before achieving certification, and
25 hours of service each year following certification. 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 fee for program cost
and educational and lab 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 and other designated events
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
Middlesex County Master Gardeners Helpful Links:
Nearby Land Grant Universities: