UNION COUNTY, NJ — Union County gardeners have a chance to sharpen their skills while giving back to the community, by joining the Master Gardeners of Union County. All gardeners at any level of experience are welcome to join this popular volunteer program.
“The Master Gardeners program provides Union County residents with new opportunities to build their knowledge and apply their skills to help educate, engage and beautify our community. The commissioner board is proud to support this unique volunteer program, and we are happy to see it return in 2022,” said Union County Commissioner Board Chairperson Rebecca Williams.
The Master Gardeners are volunteers who are trained and certified by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County. They create and run programs for the public, including educational workshops and horticulture programs for people with special needs. The centerpiece of the program is the 1.5-acre Union County Demonstration Garden, located adjacent to the Trailside Nature and Science Center in the Watchung Reservation, at 152 New Providence Road in Mountainside.
The 2022 Master Gardener training program begins on Tuesday, Jan. 18, and runs through May. The program consists of weekly classes that cover basic botany, entomology and plant pathology, integrated pest management, vegetable gardening, tree fruit, lawn care and flower gardening, among other topics.
Participants who complete the coursework and provide 60 hours of community service earn the title of Certified Master Gardener.
In order to help prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus, the 2022 training program will begin on a remote-learning basis. Conditions permitting, outdoor workshops at the Demonstration Garden may be added in the spring.
To apply for the 2022 training course, visit http://bttr.im/fem3x. There is a program registration fee; scholarships are available.
The courses will be presented through Rutgers Canvas, the online learning portal of Rutgers University. Participants can join the live sessions on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to noon or view prerecorded sessions at their convenience.
To learn more about the program, contact Madeline Flahive DiNardo by phone at 908-654-9854, ext. 4, or by email at [email protected].
Photo Courtesy of Kelly Martins