Issue #15 

Spring 2007

The Basin Bulletin

Newsletter for Stakeholders of the Raritan River Basin

Prepared on behalf of the Raritan Basin Watershed Alliance

Upcoming Events!

RCE, Middlesex County

EARTH Center

42 Riva Ave.

Davidson’s Mill Pond Park

North Brunswick, NJ 08902

phone:  732 398 5262

fax:       732 398 5276

www.middlesex.nj.us/extensionservices

In the last issue we shared with you a little about the different departments here in the Middlesex Coutny office of Rutgers Cooperative Extension. However with the dawn of the growing season upon us this time I would like to offer you some Natural Resource Management Dept. info since it is their busiest time of the year.

The Middlesex County extension office is excited to announce that it will be presenting the first Master Gardener Evening Class in years. The classes will take place Tuesday evenings, 6:30 – 9:30 PM from April to early October.  As with the day classes there will be required class room time and mandatory hands-on work hours in the gardens, here at the EARTH Center. The evening class offers County residents who work on Fridays to participate in this environmental stewardship program. Myself; David Smela, Public Information Assistant, as well as our Ag Dept.’s Secretary Denise McGloan will be the co-coordinators. We look forward to the opportunity to provide even more environmental stewards to help Rutgers Cooperative Extensions efforts in Middlesex County.  

AGRICULTURE & NATURAL RESOURCE  MANAGEMENT

Our new home at the EARTH Center allows the Ag Dept, to provide expanded services for gardeners, landscapers, farmers, teachers and homeowners throughout the county in 2007. Available at our office are Soil Test Kits, Pesticide Manuals for the state pesticide program plus information on upcoming extension seminars, short courses and meetings. In addition, we conduct diagnostic work on various problems including insects, plant diseases, tick identification, and plant identification.

Community Gardening Programs

The Good Earth Program is looking for community gardeners to utilize open plots at Buccleuch Park, and on the Livingston Campus of Rutgers. Community gardening provides an opportunity for individuals and families with little or no home garden space, to grow their own fresh produce or ornamentals.  Call 732 398 5262 to reserve a space for the 2007 growing season.

EARTH Center Educational Tours/Workshops are available upon request.

Basic tours include vegetable garden, herb garden ornamental tree demonstration area.

Custom tours are available as well.

What topics would benefit you?

Installing a Rain Garden

Earth-Wise Lawn Renovation

IPM Techniques 

Call to set up a customized tour or workshop for your group.

Scheduled Events for Spring 2007

Unless otherwise specified for registration or info

call 732 398 5262

April 14 Sat. 10 am-12pm 

Backyard Composting Free

EARTH Center, call 732 745 4170 to register

An introduction to the time honored method of turning organic waste material

into a valuable soil and garden amendment. Learn just how easy it is to produce this material, while keeping unnecessary solids out of our landfills. See our display of the many compost bins available to see what is right for you.   

May 19, Sat. 9am-2 pm

EARTH Center PLANT SALE

If you missed us at Ag Field Day,

Join us at the EARTH Center.

May 19 Sat. 10 am -12 pm

Basics of Tree Care & Pruning $20

EARTH Center

Trees and shrubs in your landscape can be a big investment. So why not learn how to maintain the look and shape of your plants, which will help them perform

for many years in your home landscape? 

June 2  Sat. 9 am – 1 pm 

“Natural” Landscape Care

  & Plant Selection  $35   

Not for landscapers   EARTH Center

If you are interested in keeping you landscape plants healthy without reliance on chemical pesticides and fertilizers, you need to introduce Integrated Pest Management into your routine. IPM techniques such as picking the right plant for the right place will be introduced in addition to the value of native plants.

July 19 Thurs. 6 - 8:30 pm

What’s Up with Herbs? $20 

Register by July 13 EARTH Center

Whether you are an avid gardener or a world class chef, herbs can be an important part of your home. Find out how to get started and what plants are good to start with.

July 26 Thurs. 6-8:30 pm

Making Herb Vinegar $30 

Register by July 20 EARTH Center

When the growing season approaches a close, what should you do with all those leftover herbs? We will show you just how easy it is to preserve that fragrance and flavor throughout the cold winter months by making herb vinegars.

Aug. 6 to 12,

Middlesex County  Fair

A great time for the whole family, and a chance to learn about local agriculture.

Our Master Gardeners will be on hand to help with garden questions as well.

Middlesex County Fair Grounds

Cranbury Rd., East Brunswick  

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