SUSANNE MORELLI The “Circle of Thyme” herb garden at the Davidson Mill Pond Park on Riva Avenue SOUTH BRUNSWICK — The New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, part of the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Middlesex County, has updated its “Circle of Thyme” herb garden located in Davidson Mill Pond Park on Riva Avenue.
The garden, which was built in 2003, planted its first seeds during the summer of 2004. Formerly of New Brunswick, the garden moved to South Brunswick in order to set up teaching and research gardens as well as educational programs for residents of Middlesex County. The garden currently holds 80 percent of true herbs.
“Interns who are studying to become master gardeners, as well as some of those who have become certified to be master gardeners, take care of the gardens,” said Donna Pemberton, a program assistant who has been working with the program for 19 years.
“Starting in the spring, summer and fall, we hold a number of workshops and activities for the public such as environmentally sound lawn maintenance, making herb vinegars or raising herbs, composting and rain gardens,” she added.
This year’s garden themes include Herbs That Razzle-Dazzle; They’re Kooky & They’re Spooky; The Moody Blues; These Herbs Can Put the Bite on You; Lime Shines; Hook, Line & Sinker: Herbs for Catch of the Day; Ophelia Spoke of These Herbs; Heaven Sent from Ethiopia: Herbs to Entice The Queen of Sheba; The Tone of a Gnome’s Herb Garden; You Give Me Fever; Herbs that are Chock Full of Chocolate; The Celts-Weavers; and Wee Folk & Warriors.
The extension’s EARTH Center will be holding an open house from 1 to 5 p.m. Sept. 7. The EARTH Center is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For more information, call 732-398- 5268.