Current Presentation Offerings Container Gardening – No space for an in-ground garden? Have clay, rocky, or contaminated soil in your yard? Don’t like tilling and weeding? Or maybe you have limited mobility or trouble bending? Perhaps Container Gardening is for you! Container Gardening is a guide to homegrown vegetables and colorful flowers without expensive tools […]
Would you like to grow your own native plants at home? In this two-part series, join the Rutgers Master Gardeners of Somerset County to learn about the importance of native plants and how easy it is to grow them from seed then incorporate them in the home landscape. Both sessions will take place at the […]
Written by Mary P., Rutgers Master Gardener of Somerset County Ilex verticillata, commonly known as winterberry, is a deciduous, clumping, multi- stemmed holly native to eastern North America. It is noted for its berries, has an upright-rounded shape and usually grows 6 – 12’ tall and wide. It is adaptable to light and heavy soils but prefers […]
Written by Mary P., Rutgers Master Gardener of Somerset County Conifers are about 300 million years old. They grow in many different climates on all the continents except Antarctica. There are over 600 species of conifers, all woody – mostly trees, but some are shrubs. The most common growth form is a single erect trunk […]
Written by Lorna F., Rutgers Master Gardener of Somerset County Edibles Garden spotlight: Companion Planting Companion planting seeks to grow plants together in the garden that may: benefit each other, repel insect pests from the garden, and/or attract pollinator and beneficial insects to the garden. A classic example of companion planting is known as The Three Sisters. This Native/indigenous method of growing food combines corn, beans, and squash together. Corn stalks provide support […]
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Written by Shona E., Rutgers Master Gardener of Somerset County In the Fall of 2023, the Rutgers Master Gardeners of Somerset County Native Plant Team added a fifth bed to their plots in the RMGSC Teaching Garden. The 8’ x 45’ space is in a very wet area. The Native Plant Team was happy to […]
Written by Mary P., Rutgers Master Gardener of Somerset County Lindera benzoin is not a fussy plant and is noted for its adaptability. It can grow in sun to full shade, acidic or slightly alkaline pH, clay, loam or sandy soil. It prefers moist loamy soil in partial shade. In all cases, moist, well drained […]
Background Information Cover crops are primarily grown to protect and promote soil health; they prevent soil erosion, retain or add nutrients to the soil, provide living roots to support soil biodiversity, and serve as a source of organic matter. Cover crops can also enhance weed management and play a role in pest and disease management. […]
Ellen Locker ’20, Karen MacNaul ‘22 In 2023 and 2024, the Rutgers Master Gardener Native Plant Team Hiking team hiked, sleuthed, identified, photographed, catalogued and researched fun facts on native plants found in Duke Island Park (DIP), part of the Somerset County Park Commission (SCPC) system in Bridgewater. The team identified 75 native plants, of […]
