Master Gardener Helpline
Rutgers Extension staff and volunteers will answer your horticultural inquiries. This is a free program for Middlesex County residents who would like to learn more about a range of topics including:
- houseplants
- vegetable or fruit gardening
- landscape
- tree care
- plant pests and diseases
Rutgers trained Master Gardeners of Middlesex County can be reached by phone at 732-398-5220. Currently, callers should leave a detailed message and contact to receive a personal call back. Our volunteers can also help via e-mail which may include pictures of your horticultural issues. Contact them at mastergardeners@co.middlesex.nj.us
Upcoming Events
2021 – 2022 Master Gardener Program Information Sessions
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Come to the EARTH Center to get all your questions answered to see if the yearlong program is right for you.
Thursday, September 9, 6:30 pm
Friday, September 10, 9:30 am
For more info or directions call 732-398-5262.
We also invite you to visit our Master Gardeners at the
2021 Middlesex County Fair in the Agriculture Pavilion for information on the program and answers to questions on all of your gardening and landscaping efforts.
Monday August 2 through Friday August 5
5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Saturday August 7, 2:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Sunday August 8, 2:00 pm - 8:00 pm
View previous episodes of the "RU Ready 2 Garden Webinar series
Viewers can expect to review time tested practices, learn innovative new techniques and virtually visit some local farms. Get expert advice on effective gardening techniques from our Master Gardeners, who cover a variety of topics for beginners and professionals alike.
Supplemental Resources
Beginner-Friendly Vegetables and Tips for the Novice Gardener
Edible Landscaping: Garden Goals and More
About Us
Master Gardeners are community volunteers trained by Rutgers experts in sustainable gardening and environmental principles.
Commitment
Master Gardener interns are required to volunteer 60 hours of service to Rutgers
Cooperative Extension of Middlesex County before achieving certification. Once graduated a certified Master Gardener must volunteer 25 hours of service each year, to remain in good standing. Examples of volunteer service
are:
- Answering gardening questions on the Gardeners
Helpline
- Conducting composting and recycling
lectures/demonstrations
- Community beautification and
demonstration garden maintenance
- Lecturing on a variety of gardening topics
- Assisting with community events such as the
Middlesex County Fair
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 if you are:
- Interested in learning more about plants and
gardening.
- Eager to gain knowledge on using
natural resources wisely.
- Willing to share your knowledge by
assisting 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 a mandatory "hands-on" garden class time 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 during their first year as an intern (EARTH Center and Rutgers events count towards this 60 hours ).
- 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.
Interns have a choice to attend the required lectures on either Thursday evenings or Friday mornings, in addition to attending weekly lectures, September through April, and “hands-on” gardening sessions
Middlesex County Master Gardeners Helpful Links:
Nearby Land Grant Universities: