Master Gardeners pass on their training and experience to the community through a number of services, including:
Children’s Programs
Events are held at the Demo Garden or other community locations for visiting camps, school groups, and scout troops and are aimed at engaging children in the beauty of nature and developing future gardeners.
Community Beautification
Community Beautification projects provide Union County Master Gardeners with opportunities to volunteer in local public gardens.
Demo Garden Tours
Guided tours of the demonstration garden to community groups, provide tours to the public at special county events at Trailside, the Spring Garden Fair and at scheduled summer evening programs.
Horticulture Programs for Special Needs Populations
Master Gardeners offer a series of one hour “hands-on” gardening programs for people with special needs. Program participants create a horticulture craft project at each session. The program has been offered at health care and assisted living facilities, senior housing sites, adult day care centers and for agencies that serve youth and young adults with special needs. To request a program please contact 908-654-9854 ext. 2.
Fresh Produce Donations
Fresh vegetables (approx 1,500– 2,000 lbs per year) are donated to community food banks, churches and other organizations for distribution to low–income residents of Union County. We grow the majority of our own vegetable plants from seed, and harvest from May through November.
Garden Helpline
Master Gardeners operate a Garden Helpline that residents can call or email with their gardening questions. They are trained to use University research -based resources to provide unbiased information to home gardeners.
Information about the Rutgers Soil Testing Laboratory is available, including soil sample mailing kits.
Master Gardeners can be reached at (908) 654-9852 or by email at [email protected].
Speakers Bureau
Master Gardeners offer a wide range of interesting and informative presentations on a variety of horticultural topics. Presentations may be virtual or in person and last approximately one hour.