Mercer Educational Gardens, Schedule of Events

2010 Master Gardener Schedule of Events

Join the Master Gardeners of Mercer County for a new season of responsible Home Gardening Programs.
Rutgers Cooperative Extension educational programs are offered to all without regard to race, religion, color, age, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or disability.

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Soil test mailers ($15.00 each) will be available at all events.
All events will be held rain or shine

Tuesday, January 26th

7:30 - 8:30 pm Extension *

Designing a Dream Garden: Step 1

Start the New Year right and actually begin your garden planning early this year. Master Gardeners explain the practical site selection, soil preparation and selecting the right plants for the right place. Soon you will be working in and enjoying your garden rather than dreaming.

Wednesdays, February 10th, 17th, 24th, March 3rd

7:00 - 8:30 pm Extension *

Basics of Successful Lawn Care

Barbara J. Bromley, Mercer County Horticulturist, teaches four lawn care sessions: 1) Management Strategies and Selection of Grasses; 2) Basic Maintenance; 3) Pest Control and IPM-Based Practices; 4) Troubleshooting; Lawn Renovation and Establishment. Pesticide re-certification credits are offered to turf professionals.
Fee: $12.00 per class or $40.00 for all four classes.

Tuesday, February 23rd

7:30 - 8:30 pm Extension *

The Buzz on Mason Bees

Mason Bees are the workhorses of the garden pollinators, solitary, hard working and non-aggressive. Learn how to bring them into your garden for improved early pollination of your plants.

Monday, March 22nd

7:30 - 8:30 pm Extension *

Vegetable Gardening 101

Learn the basics of growing vegetables at home; how to select the best site, soil preparation, crop selection, garden layout, planting and harvesting the vegetables. Your homegrown produce will taste so fresh.

Saturday, March 13th

8:30-4:00 An All Day Garden Symposium Stuart Country Day School

Passion for Gardening

C. Colin Burrell, Jerry Fritz, Carol Reese, will join Barbara J. Bromley, Mercer County Horticulturist for a day-long program celebrating responsible gardening. Inspirational garden design, plant selection, placement and maintenance will be presented. Go to www.mgofmc.org/symposium for registration information, cost and details on our speakers and their lectures. Call (609) 989-6853 for registration information.

Sunday, April 18th

12:00 Noon - 1:30 pm Mercer Educational Gardens

Composting to Feed Your Garden

Discover a no cost way to enrich your soil by turning leaves, kitchen scraps and plant clippings into compost, known as "Black Gold". Visit the nearby Equestrian Center barn and pick up some manure to create your own manure tea.

Saturday, May 1st

10:00 am - 2 pm Mercer Educational Gardens

Spring Plant Expo

The Best of the Best!...perennials, herbs, tomatoes and native plants for local gardens will be available to the public. Knowledgeable Master Gardeners will assist you in choosing the right plants for the right place. Barbara J. Bromley, Mercer County Horticulturist, will be on hand to answer your gardening questions.

Tuesday, May 18th

7:30 - 8:30 pm Extension *

Gorgeous Container Creations

Put colorful combinations and exciting results into your containers this spring. Learn surefire choices to highlight color, texture, leaves and blooms in all your containers.

Saturday, June 12th

10:00 - 11:00 am Mercer Educational Gardens

Deadheading & Deer Proofing

Deadheading improves plant vigor, prevents seed formation and helps keep the garden neat and attractive. Tour the Mercer Educational Gardens (MEG) and learn the methods Master Gardeners use to try to ward off the deer.

Saturday, July 24th

10:00 - 11:00 am Mercer Educational Gardens

Planting a Wetland Meadow

The wetland meadow at MEG is flourishing with native grasses and wildflowers which are important sources of food and shelter for wildlife. Walk through the meadow and learn how it has been transformed from invasive plants to natives during the past three years. Several varieties of native wetland/rain garden plants will be discussed.

Saturday, August 7th

10:00 - 11:00 am Mercer Educational Gardens

Create a Butterfly Habitat

Using the MEG as a model background habitat, Master Gardener butterfly experts will share tips on how to draw these beauties to your own yard. Be prepared to tour the MEG gardens and meadow to see which plants attract butterflies and entice them to stay and lay their eggs.

Tuesday, August 10th

7:00 - 8:30 pm Extension *

All About Fall Home Lawn Care

Barbara J. Bromley, Mercer County Horticulturist, will share ideas and tips on home lawn maintenance. Learn how to prepare lawns for reseeding, renovation or sodding and how to select the correct grass seed for your yard. Pick up a soil test mailer to know if fertilizer or lime is really needed.

Saturday, September 11th

1:00 - 4:00 pm Mercer Educational Gardens

8th Annual Insect Festival

Activities for children of all ages will include a puppet show, crafts, paint a meadow mural, bee dancing, catch-a-bug, geo-caching and hay rides at the adjacent Equestrian Center. Master Gardeners will be on hand with insect related displays and games. Learn about composting, beneficial insects, butterfly metamorphosis and bee keeping. Garden Q & A with County Horticulturist Barbara J. Bromley.

Saturday, September 25th

11:00- 12:00 Noon Mercer Educational Gardens

Over Wintering Tender Plants

Your 'tropicals' or tender plants CAN be saved to provide beauty for you next year. Let an expert Master Gardener guide you through the steps in saving plants including canna, brugmansia, and coleus to bloom again, all without a greenhouse.

Tuesday, October 26th

7:30 - 8:30 pm Extension *

Orchids - Exotic but Easy

Intriguing orchids have beautiful, long lasting blooms but do have special needs. Listen to a Master Gardener expert talk about the easy care of Phalaenopsis orchids. Learn how to monitor for pests, coax extended flowering and repot.

Tuesday, November 16th

7:30 - 8:30 pm Extension *

Stunning Winter Containers

Learn how to design a container that becomes the foundation of all your winter and holiday creations. Master Gardeners will demonstrate how to change various elements to create seasonal interest.

Click here for a printer friendly version of this schedule.

ALL EVENTS ARE RAIN OR SHINE
*For programs scheduled at Extension, please call 989-6830 to pre-register.
Soil Test Mailers will be available at all events for $20.00

Donations benefit educational programs of the Master Gardeners of Mercer County. Donation of $3.00 suggested for all programs unless noted.
Rutgers Cooperative Extension
930 Spruce Street
Lawrence, NJ
Adjacent to the Trenton Farmer's Market

Mercer Educational Gardens (MEG)
431 A Federal City Road
Pennington, NJ
Site entrance is opposite the end of Old Mill Road on Federal City Road. The Mercer Educational Gardens has limited handicapped accessibility and it is open all year, dawn to dusk.
To arrange for one of our programs at your site
call our Speakers Bureau at (609) 989-6830
For more information call the Extension office at
(609) 989-6830
Or the Master Gardener Helpline at
(609) 989-6853
To be added to our mailing list, send your request in an email to: www.mgofmcmailist@gmail.com

Rutgers Cooperative Extension educational programs are offered to all without regard to race, religion, color, age, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or disability

Helpline Number: 609-989-6853

Tuesday, January 26th
7:30 - 8:30 pm	Extension *
*Designing a Dream Garden: Step 1*
Start the New Year right and actually begin your garden planning early this year. Master Gardeners explain the practical site selection, soil preparation and selecting the right plants for the right place. Soon you will be working in and enjoying your garden rather than dreaming.
Wednesdays, February 10th, 17th, 24th, March 3rd
7:00 - 8:30 pm	Extension *
*Basics of Successful Lawn Care*
Barbara J. Bromley, Mercer County Horticulturist, teaches four lawn care sessions: 1) Management Strategies and Selection of Grasses; 2) Basic Maintenance; 3) Pest Control and IPM-Based Practices; 4) Troubleshooting; Lawn Renovation and Establishment. Pesticide re-certification credits are offered to turf professionals. Fee: $12.00 per class or $40.00 for all four classes.
Tuesday, February 23rd
7:30 - 8:30 pm	Extension *
*The Buzz on Mason Bees*
Mason Bees are the workhorses of the garden pollinators, solitary, hard working and non-aggressive. Learn how to bring them into your garden for improved early pollination of your plants.
Monday, March 22nd
7:30 - 8:30 pm	Extension *
*Vegetable Gardening 101*
Learn the basics of growing vegetables at home; how to select the best site, soil preparation, crop selection, garden layout, planting and harvesting the vegetables. Your homegrown produce will taste so fresh.
Saturday, March 13th
8:30-4:00 An All Day Garden Symposium	Stuart Country Day School
*Passion for Gardening*
C. Colin Burrell, Jerry Fritz, Carol Reese, will join Barbara J. Bromley, Mercer County Horticulturist for a day-long program celebrating responsible gardening. Inspirational garden design, plant selection, placement and maintenance will be presented. Go to www.mgofmc.org/symposium for registration information, cost and details on our speakers and their lectures. Call (609) 989-6853 for registration information.
Sunday, April 18th
12:00 Noon - 1:30 pm	Mercer Educational Gardens
*Composting to Feed Your Garden*
Discover a no cost way to enrich your soil by turning leaves, kitchen scraps and plant clippings into compost, known as "Black Gold". Visit the nearby Equestrian Center barn and pick up some manure to create your own manure tea.
Saturday, May 1st
10:00 am - 2 pm	Mercer Educational Gardens
*Spring Plant Expo*
The Best of the Best!...perennials, herbs, tomatoes and native plants for local gardens will be available to the public. Knowledgeable Master Gardeners will assist you in choosing the right plants for the right place. Barbara J. Bromley, Mercer County Horticulturist, will be on hand to answer your gardening questions.
Tuesday, May 18th
7:30 - 8:30 pm	Extension *
*Gorgeous Container Creations*
Put colorful combinations and exciting results into your containers this spring. Learn surefire choices to highlight color, texture, leaves and blooms in all your containers.
Saturday, June 12th
10:00 - 11:00 am	Mercer Educational Gardens
*Deadheading & Deer Proofing*
Deadheading improves plant vigor, prevents seed formation and helps keep the garden neat and attractive. Tour the Mercer Educational Gardens (MEG) and learn the methods Master Gardeners use to try to ward off the deer.
Saturday, July 24th
10:00 - 11:00 am	Mercer Educational Gardens
*Planting a Wetland Meadow*
The wetland meadow at MEG is flourishing with native grasses and wildflowers which are important sources of food and shelter for wildlife. Walk through the meadow and learn how it has been transformed from invasive plants to natives during the past three years. Several varieties of native wetland/rain garden plants will be discussed.
Saturday, August 7th
10:00 - 11:00 am	Mercer Educational Gardens
*Create a Butterfly Habitat*
Using the MEG as a model background habitat, Master Gardener butterfly experts will share tips on how to draw these beauties to your own yard. Be prepared to tour the MEG gardens and meadow to see which plants attract butterflies and entice them to stay and lay their eggs.
Tuesday, August 10th
7:00 - 8:30 pm	Extension *
*All About Fall Home Lawn Care*
Barbara J. Bromley, Mercer County Horticulturist, will share ideas and tips on home lawn maintenance. Learn how to prepare lawns for reseeding, renovation or sodding and how to select the correct grass seed for your yard. Pick up a soil test mailer to know if fertilizer or lime is really needed.
Saturday, September 11th
1:00 - 4:00 pm	Mercer Educational Gardens
*8th Annual Insect Festival*
Activities for children of all ages will include a puppet show, crafts, paint a meadow mural, bee dancing, catch-a-bug, geo-caching and hay rides at the adjacent Equestrian Center. Master Gardeners will be on hand with insect related displays and games. Learn about composting, beneficial insects, butterfly metamorphosis and bee keeping. Garden Q & A with County Horticulturist Barbara J. Bromley.
Saturday, September 25th
11:00- 12:00 Noon	Mercer Educational Gardens
*Over Wintering Tender Plants*
Your 'tropicals' or tender plants CAN be saved to provide beauty for you next year. Let an expert Master Gardener guide you through the steps in saving plants including canna, brugmansia, and coleus to bloom again, all without a greenhouse.
Tuesday, October 26th
7:30 - 8:30 pm	Extension *
*Orchids - Exotic but Easy*
Intriguing orchids have beautiful, long lasting blooms but do have special needs. Listen to a Master Gardener expert talk about the easy care of Phalaenopsis orchids. Learn how to monitor for pests, coax extended flowering and repot.
Tuesday, November 16th
7:30 - 8:30 pm	Extension *
*Stunning Winter Containers*
Learn how to design a container that becomes the foundation of all your winter and holiday creations. Master Gardeners will demonstrate how to change various elements to create seasonal interest.