TOMS RIVER – For 16 years, the Rutgers Master Gardeners of Ocean County have held an annual Fall Garden Day.
This year’s event took place on Sept. 28 at the Rutgers Cooperative Extension building on Whitesville Road.
“The Master Gardeners’ mission is to help educate the public about proper gardening practices. This year’s theme was ‘The Good Earth … The Good Life.’ The day was about recycling and using recycled items, being aware of pollinators, and plants that are best for the Jersey Shore,” said Susan Emhardt-Servidio, horticulturist and master gardener coordinator.
Emhardt-Servidio has been involved with the event for three years.
There were speakers who addressed the topics of “Attracting Butterflies to Your Garden,” “Love that Bug: Beneficial Insects” and “Sea Shore Gardening.”
There were demonstrations about worm composting, using recycled items for ornamentation and garden beds.
Interns in the Master Gardeners of Ocean County program help to organize the events. The interns have gone through training, but are not full-fledged Master Gardeners until they have completed 60 service hours. She said the Fall Garden Day is part of their service hours.
“The interns did a wonderful job. The day was simple and not hectic; 65 people attended and the organization was happy with how the day went,” Emhardt-Servidio said. “We had a nice mix of returners and newcomers.”
She said the organization wants people to know what is going on in their garden.
“We had a lot of attendees ask questions and pick our brains. I am very pleased with how it turned out,” Emhardt-Servidio.
Karen Rider is an intern and was the chairwoman of the Fall Garden Day.
“When you are an intern in the master gardener program, being a part of the Fall Garden Day is like a class project. Every year there is a new class that has to put on the event,” Rider said.
Meetings were held beginning in May to plan the event.
“There were so many good lectures and displays. Getting to tell the people of Ocean County about the services that are available from our organization is great. The interns and organization hope more people will become future master gardeners from this annual Fall Garden Day,” Rider said.
