New Jersey is known for the industrial landscape along the turnpike and the landmarks of the Jersey Shore. But one of the state’s greatest treasures may be its least well known- the nation’s largest collection of flowering cherry trees in Essex County’…
Home/Lawn/Garden
Soil Test Among Tips on Spring Gardening Checklist
A capacity crowd of 30 filled the Mercer County Connection office in the Hamilton Square Shopping Center on Tuesday to hear a presentation by Mercer County Horticulturist Barbara Bromley on spring planting essentials… Rooted in 60-plus years of gardening, Bromley freely shared her experience and advice on subjects ranging from the commonplace “you can fertilize now” to the esoteric “downy mildew is an emerging disease that is decimating impatiens… The Mercer County Extension program is part of the statewide Rutgers Cooperative Extension that has offices in all 21 New Jersey counties. The Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station is at 930 Spruce St. in Trenton.
Rutgers VETS Program Graduates Inaugural Class
Unique partnership among a university, a church and companies makes a difference for unemployed veterans in Newark It was a proud moment at the Willing Heart Community Care Center in Newark, NJ, on March 3, where 12 local veterans graduated as the inaugural class of the Rutgers Veterans Environmental Technology and Solutions (VETS) program. […]
Getting a Jump Start on Spring Gardening at Trailside Center in Mountainside
A group of 54 teachers and community volunteers braved the icy grip of winter to get a running start on the spring planting season, at last month’s “Get Your Youth and Community Garden Growing” conference. The event was conducted by experts from the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County at the County’s Trailside Nature and Science Center in Mountainside… The free Gardening Helpline is a project of the Rutgers Master Gardeners of Union County, an all-volunteer group run by the Extension with the support of the Freeholder Board. The group is based at the Extension offices in the County’s Colleen Fraser Building in Westfield. Among their many civic projects, Master Gardeners cultivate the elaborate grounds of the Demonstration Garden and host the Spring Garden Fair.
Effects of Poor Turf Maintenance Released During Winter Thaw
Soil erosion and phosphorus runoff are consequences of poorly maintained turf. When the winter snow melt begins, these problems become apparent. Extension Specialist in Turf Management Jim Murphy provides an overview of what the winter thaw can reveal about annual turf maintenance. Read more in the Plant & Pest Advisory.
Green Thumbs: Get a Jumpstart on Spring with Forced Blooms Indoors
If this winter has not gotten you down, you are among the few and a touch of spring would definitely be a boost to most gardeners. There are several flowering shrubs and trees that can be pruned and forced to bloom earlier indoors… Place your branche…
Stinkbug Challenges Organic Growers
Mid-Atlantic area fruit and vegetable growers who have the full range of control options at their disposal are having trouble containing the brown marmorated stinkbug. So imagine how hard it must be for organic growers, with their limited arsenal of insecticides… Organic management of BMSB was one of the “current issues in organic fruit production” that were addressed during the Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable, and Farm Market Expo in Michigan… Dr. Anne Nielsen, one of the first to study BMSB when it was found in the East, said organic growers would have to rely on integrating multiple methods such as natural enemies, cultural management, and/or habitat manipulation for control… Nielsen was a graduate student at Rutgers University in New Jersey when the stinkbug was first found. She did postdoctorate work at Michigan State University and is now back at Rutgers, still working with the stinky insect that smells, she says, like a combination of cilantro and dirty socks.
Rutgers Master Gardeners of Somerset County Helpline Office Opens March 2
The Rutgers Master Gardeners of Somerset County, a volunteer organization of the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, are busy getting ready to open the Helpline office in Bridgewater on March 2… The Rutgers Master Gardener Helpline volunteers…
Rutgers Professional Golf Turf Management School Graduate Receives Industry Honor
Kristian Summerfield, a UK native living and working in the Netherlands, crossed “the pond” to attend the Rutgers Professional Golf Turf Management School: Three-Week Preparatory Short Course in January 2013 to advance his skills. In December 2014, his skills and efforts were recognized when Summerfield was presented with the 2015 Greenkeeper of the Year award for his […]
Applications Being Accepted for Fall Master Gardener Classes Held in Bridgewater
The New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station Rutgers Master Gardeners of Somerset County is currently accepting applications for the fall… The Rutgers Master Gardeners receive in-depth, hands-on training in horticulture from Rutgers, The State Univ…
