Rutgers Master Gardener Program

Rutgers Master Gardeners are volunteers trained and certified by Rutgers Cooperative Extension to provide educational programs and activities in support of environmentally responsible home gardening. To learn more about becoming a Master Gardener or to receive an application, call 732-431-7260, ext. 7262.

Some Master Gardener services are:

• Helpline
• Community Projects
• Gardening Speakers
• Horticultural Enrichment

Master Gardener Helpline: 732-303-7614

Trained Master Gardener volunteers operate a year-round telephone helpline to advise the public about horticultural matters and diagnose and solve home gardening problems. County residents may get free answers to home garden, insect, and pest questions by calling the helpline from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday–Friday. After hours, on weekends, and during especially busy times of the year, please leave a voicemail stating your questions, and your call will be returned.

The Rutgers Master Gardeners of Monmouth County are sponsored by the joint cooperation of Rutgers Cooperative Extension, Brookdale Community College, and Monmouth County Parks System.

Email us your questions, photographs and general gardening inquiries.

Community Projects

If you have a Monmouth County public gardening project on which you would like consulting, contact us. Examples are garden planning, and educational outreach and advice. Call Diane Larson at 732-431-7260, ext. 7262.

Gardening Speakers

Are you looking for someone to speak at your next meeting or event? We’ve got a speaker for you! We can provide a knowledgeable speaker about many garden topics – from growing roses to generating compost, hummingbirds and vegetable gardening…  Give us a call. We are here to serve the Monmouth County gardening community.

We are continually adding talks to our catalog, if you don’t see a topic you’re interested in, please ask. Please see our Brochure (345k PDF) for the complete list of presentations we offer on a wide variety of horticultural topics. For more information contact the Rutgers Master Gardeners of Monmouth County, 732-303-7614.

Baby, It’s Cold Outside!  Providing Winter-Safe Habitats for Pollinators and Beneficials

The availability of nesting and overwintering habitats is one of the most important factors influencing populations of native bees, pollinators, and beneficial insects.  Yet, traditional fall landscaping practices rarely leave enough natural resources to support pollinators and other wildlife.  Learn where and how pollinators and beneficials wait out the winter and how you can support them beyond the growing season.

The Seedy Side of Gardening: Starting Plants from Seed for a Beautiful Flower Garden

This presentationdescribes the magical process of sowing flower seeds indoors, including the supplies needed for success, special requirements of certain seeds, proper timing, and how to avoid and treat common pests and diseases. The presenter will share her favorite products and past experiences to guide you towards successfully growing your own flowering plants from seed.

Earth-friendly Solutions for Your Gardening Woes:  The IPM Approach

These days you hear a lot of talk about being environmentally friendly to manage insects and plant diseases in your yard and garden.   But what exactly is the IPM approach? This presentation covers everything a home gardener needs to know about IPM methods, goals, and benefits. You will learn the four kinds of control methods, their strategies and approaches, and gain knowledge that every gardener can begin using today to grow and maintain a beautiful, healthy, and earth-friendly home landscape.

Don’t Curb Your Enthusiasm for Hell Strip and Mailbox Gardens

A hell strip, the inhospitable narrow strip of land located between the street or curb and sidewalk presents a host of unique challenges for a gardener. Mailbox gardens face many of the same challenges. So, why would you want to create a garden there?  Because a beautiful streetside garden can pump up the curb appeal of your home, beautify your street, and create a habitat for pollinators and birds.  This presentation describes how to deal with the many challenges you’ll face, how to assess and prepare the site, inspires you with design ideas, and provides photos and descriptions of the tough plants that are ideal for inhospitable streetside conditions.

Horticultural Enrichment

Horticultural enrichment is a process utilizing plants and horticultural activities to improve the social, educational, psychological and physical of persons, thus improving their body, mind and spirits.

Groups for whom horticultural enrichment has proven beneficial include people who are physically disabled, mentally ill, developmentally disabled, elderly, substance abusers, public offenders and socially disadvantaged. We provide consultative services to all of these. For more information, contact the Rutgers Master Gardeners of Monmouth County, 732-303-7614.

Diane Larson, County Horticulturist, coordinates the Master Gardener Program in Monmouth County. For more information, contact her at 732-431-7260, ext. 7262.