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The Atlantic County Rutgers Master Gardeners are trained volunteers who assist Rutgers Cooperative Extension in delivering horticulture programs and information to the general public.
Rutgers Master Gardeners receive in-depth training in horticulture from Rutgers University faculty and professional staff. There is a fee to cover material and program costs. As part of the training, Rutgers Master Gardeners are required to volunteer a certain number of hours, on the Help-Line and working in their community in programs sponsored by Rutgers Cooperative Extension. Successful graduates of the training become Certified Rutgers Master Gardeners after they have completed the initial volunteer requirement.
What Kinds of Things Do Master Gardeners Do?
Rutgers Master Gardeners work as volunteers in a variety of areas, including:
Helpline
The Atlantic County Rutgers Master Gardeners are available from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday to answer your homeowner calls. Should you have questions regarding your lawn, pests, trees, flowers, fruit or vegetable gardening the volunteers are here to assist you. The Rutgers Master Gardeners can be reached at 609-625-0056.
You can also ask questions using our online form:
Group Presentations
Have a group of 10 individuals or more that are looking for a speaker on a home gardening topic?
The Rutgers Master Gardener Program in Atlantic County have included a list below of topics that Master Gardeners are available to present to your group. If one of the topics fits your needs please fill out the Speaker Request Form and submit it to our office. There is no fee for this program.
2024 Rutgers Master Gardener Talks
Family Friendly/Activity Based:
- Make Seed Bombs
- Ecology and Environmental Horticulture
- World of Worms
- Recycle Your Pumpkin Into a Living Centerpiece
- Houseplant Propagation for Beginners
Available Talks:
- Native and Invasives
- Community Garden Series
- Saving and Starting Open Pollinated Seeds
- Indoor Vegetable Gardening Year-round (Container Gardening)
- Harvesting Crops without Damaging Plants
- Living Fences that Protect Your Garden
- Companion Planting
- Growing Upward – Increasing yields in small spaces
- Closing Your Garden Down for Winter
- Basic Pruning Techniques
- Seed to Plate – Creating a themed culinary garden
- Fall planting for Spring
- Vermicomposting
- Composting Basics
- Preserving Your Harvest
- Seed Starting 101
Demo Gardens
We have big plans for our demonstration garden this year. It will include perennial as well as annual vegetables. In our six raised beds we will be growing herbs, asparagus, summer squash, strawberries, onions, and of course tomatoes, lettuce, peppers, swiss chard, broccoli and carrots. The trellis will sprout peas in the spring, winter squash in the summer, and hopefully some cucumbers on the side.
The Rutgers Master Gardeners are planning the shrub and perennial flower beds as we speak. Once the plant list is compiled it will be available for educational purposes. There will several container gardens strategically placed around the beds to help fill in between flower blooms. The plans for the compost area are in the works and should be up and running by spring.
How To Become An Atlantic County Rutgers Master Gardener
Classes begin in February and will be held on Tuesdays and some Thursdays from 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. for approximately 20 weeks.
Below is a sample of a typical Rutgers Master Gardening Course:
- Class
- Indoor Plants
- Soil Classification
- Plant Propagation & Insect Management
- Water Quality
- Small Farm & Garden
- Turfgrass – Maintenance & Pest Management
- Pesticide Safety
- Plant Disease
- Native Plants
- Tree Pest Management
- Pruning
- Pest Management for the Home Gardener
- Landscape Design
- Insects- Small Farm & Garden
- Small Farm & Garden Vegetables I
- Small Farm & Garden Vegetables II
- Floriculture & Nursery I
- Floriculture & Nursery II
- Small Farm & Garden Fruits I
- Small Farm & Garden Fruits II
Resources
Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station (NJAES) Resources
- Gardening and Landscaping Publications
- Lawn and Garden Frequently Asked Questions
- Rutgers NJAES Home, Lawn and Garden
Programs
Home Gardening
- Soil Testing
- Using Water Soluble Fertilizer
- Using Water Wisely In The Garden
- Growing Tomatoes
- Fertilizing Home Vegetable Gardens
- Around the Home
Lawn Care
Other Lawn and Garden Resources
Commercial and Homeowner Soil Testing: Learn more about about soil testing at Rutgers Cooperative Extension.
Other lawn and garden related fact sheets and bulletins are available through via RCE Home Lawn and Garden or by contacting our office at 609-625-0056.