Master Gardener Program

Master Gardeners are volunteers, trained by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension, who are committed to providing gardening and horticultural information and services to their community.

In order to become a certified Master Gardener, participants must attend 60 hours of training. Training classes cover a broad range of horticultural and environmental topics, including basic botany, entomolgy and pathology, diagnosing plant problems and determining control methods, as well as cultural considerations of turf, vegetables, trees, shrubs, fruits, and herbaceous plants. All topics are discussed with an emphasis o how they relate to the homeowner in Monmouth County.

After the courses are successfully completed, the Master Gardener must volunteer 60 hours in horticulturally related community service in order to be certified. This volunteer time is considered practical training, and is designed to increase confidence and horticultural skills. Practical training will include a minimum amount of time answering gardening inquiries from Monmouth County residents through the Gardener's Hotline, as well as office time spent identifying plants, ticks and other insects, and diagnosing plant problems. Additionally, volunteer service may also include lecturing on gardening topics to the local public, assisting with community events such as the Monmouth County Fair, and planning, planting, and maintaining garden areas.

To qualify as a Master Gardener, all you need is an interest in gardeing and a desire to share your interest and learned knowledge of horticulture with others. Besides the required volunteer hours, there is a nominal fee to cover the cost of books and other educational materials. Classes meet two mornings a week, starting in mid February.

For more information, or to request an application, contact Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Monmouth County at 20 Court Street, Freehold, NJ, 07728, or call 732-431-7260,

Volunteer Projects May Include:

• Master Gardener Hotline
• Soil pH testing
• Deer Tick Identification
• Establishing Display Gardens
• Pruning and Maintaining Display Gardens
• Developing Youth Gardens
• Horticultural Therapy
• School Outreach Programs
• Monmouth County Fair Garden Booth
• Conducting Gardeing Lectures and Demonstrations through County and Local Parks, Garden Clubs, Library Programs, etc.


Master Gardeners May Be Involved In:
• Serving on State and Local Master Gardener Committees
• Attending Gardening Workshops
• Advanced Educational Opportunities
• Attending State, Regional, and National Master Gardening Conferences



This program is offered due to the collaboration between Brookdale Community College, Rutgers The State University of NJ, the Monmouth County Parks System, the NJ Dept. of Agriculture, and the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders.