Master gardener course to begin in September

Master gardener course
to begin in September

Individuals who are interested in learning about plants and gardening, have a desire to use natural resources more wisely and want to get involved in community projects are invited to participate in the Master Gardener Environmental and Community Stewardship Program, sponsored by the Middlesex County office of Rutgers Cooperative Extension.

Master gardeners will become community volunteers, trained in earth-friendly gardening and envi­ronmental principles. Members are required to participate in 60 hours of classroom time and field trips.

The next training session will be­gin in late September. Classes will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Fridays at the new Middlesex County EARTH (Education, Agriculture, Research, Teaching and Horticulture) Center on the grounds of Davidson’s Mill Pond Park, South Brunswick.

Course topics will include sound gardening techniques (such as proper plant selection, disease, insect and weed control and integrated pest man­agement), composting, creative meth­ods of conserving resources and com­munity interaction.

Master gardeners also are required to volunteer 60 hours of service to Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Middlesex County. Some volunteer du­ties will include answering gardening questions on the Gardener’s Helpline, assisting with community events such as the Middlesex County Fair and lecturing on a variety of gardening topics.

Program fee for supplies and re­source materials is $225.

For more information and exact program start date, call Sylvia Gresh at (732) 398-2598.