A new season of Master Gardener classes will be starting at the Middlesex County EARTH Center in Davidson Mill Pond Park, 42 Riva Ave., South Brunswick.
The Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Middlesex County is offering daytime and evening sessions for this program. Orientation (attendance is optional) will be at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 6 for Thursday evening classes, or at 9:30 a.m. Sept. 7 for Friday morning classes. The program officially starts on Sept. 13 and 14.
This program is open to all New Jersey residents.
Classroom lectures taught by Rutgers and green industry experts are held weekly from September through March. Then, hands-on gardening classes meet weekly for three-hour sessions from April through mid-September (every other week in summer).
Topics covered in the program include: sound gardening techniques; composting; creative methods of conserving resources, horticulture therapy and caring for demonstration vegetable and herb gardens. The program also requires participants to volunteer some hours of service towards Extension projects in a county park, activities and events throughout the year.
Upon graduation from the program, Master Gardeners become community volunteers trained in earth-friendly gardening and environmental principles.
There is a $425 tuition fee that covers books and materials.
To join, call 732-398-5262 or visit visit middlesexcountynj.gov and search Master Gardeners.