Community Corner
Master Gardeners of Monmouth County Spring Garden Days Plant Sale
An announcement from Monmouth County:
The Master Gardeners of Monmouth County will hold its seventh annual Spring Garden Days Plant Sale from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, May 18 and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 19 at the Monmouth County Agriculture Building at 4000 Kozloski Road.
The plant sale will include annuals, perennials, flowering shrubs, hanging baskets and heirloom vegetables and herbs. The selection of perennials will include deer-resistant, drought-tolerant and native varieties. Decorative and functional garden items such as birdhouses, tools and books also will be available at the sale.
“Much of what you need for springtime planting will be available at the Master Gardener’s spring sale,” Freeholder Lillian G. Burry said. “The plant sale is excellent, but the best part of the event is the advice that the Master Gardeners will share with you. If you have a troublesome spot in your home garden, they can suggest ways to improve the soil and locate the right plant to make the area bloom.”
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Monmouth County’s Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer your gardening questions both days. The group is also scheduling free workshops for both days:
Friday, May 18
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11 a.m. - Compost: Science & Art
12 p.m. - Environmentally friendly lawn care
1 p.m. - Container gardening 101
2 p.m. - Rain gardens
3 p.m. - Attracting birds and butterflies to the garden
Saturday, May 19
10 a.m. - Attracting birds and butterflies to the garden
11 a.m. - Rain gardens
12 p.m. - Container gardening: What’s in the pot?
1 p.m. - ABC’s of vegetable gardening
2 p.m. - Landscaping
Plants grown by Master Gardeners also will be offered for sale, along with gardening books and houseplants. This annual fundraiser supports the organization and its community outreach projects.
The plant sale will be held rain or shine and all sales are cash and carry. For information, call the Monmouth County office of the Rutgers Cooperative Extension Service at 732-303-7614.
The gardens outside the county’s Agricultural Building will be open for visitation. You can take a look at a rain garden and the Junior Master Gardener teaching garden.
“As our local growing season gets under way, it’s time for homeowners to gear up for the growing season,” county Agricultural Agent Bill Sciarappa said. “Landscapes and plantings are ready for cleanup. Some plantings may be repaired by simple pruning, but others may have to be dug out and replaced. This sale is the perfect opportunity to enhance your landscape and help the Master Gardeners by purchasing plants at great prices.”
Master Gardeners are experts in all things related to home gardening in Monmouth County. After completing classroom and hands-on training, Master Gardeners share their knowledge with others by conducting garden lectures, demonstrations, school and community gardening projects, telephone diagnostic service for callers and research.
The Master Gardener program, conducted throughout the United States and Canada, is a two-part educational effort in which avid gardeners are provided many hours of intense home horticulture training. In return, they “pay back” local university extension agents through volunteerism.
In New Jersey, the program is a cooperative effort of Rutgers University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the county Boards of Chosen Freeholders. Monmouth County’s program involves the county office of Rutgers Cooperative Extension, Brookdale Community College and the county Park System.
