A new season of Master Gardener classes will be starting in September at the Middlesex County EARTH Center in Davidson Mill Pond Park, 42 Riva Ave., South Brunswick. The program is open to all New Jersey residents.
The Master Gardeners are community volunteers trained in earth-friendly gardening and environmental principles. Lecture classes meet once per week for three hours from mid-September through mid-April. These classes will incorporate some outdoor time in a county park.
The hands-on garden classes meet weekly from April through mid-September; every other week in summer. During these sessions, new students will create and care for demonstration vegetable and herb gardens.
Topics covered in the program include sound gardening techniques, composting, creative methods of conserving resources and horticulture therapy.
The program also requires participants to volunteer some hours of service towards projects at the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Middlesex County, activities and events throughout the year.
The Extension is offering both daytime and evening sessions for the program. Orientation, which is optional, will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 8 for the evening class and at 9:30 a.m. on Sept. 9 for the morning class.
There is a $425 tuition fee which covers books and materials.
For more information or to register, call 732-398-5262 or visit www.co.middlesex.nj.us and search Master Gardeners.