Old Bridge, NJ – April 19, 2016 – Area gardeners can find professional tips and assistance at the Old Bridge Public Library just in time for spring planting.
The Middlesex County Master Gardeners will be at the Library on Tues. May 3rd from 7 – 8:30pm to staff an informal drop-in gardening help desk. They will be available to answer any gardening questions about plant and vegetable gardening, pruning, shrub and lawn care and pest elimination. Patrons are requested to refrain from bringing in any plant samples or problem plants, but are encouraged to bring in photographs instead. The Master Gardener program, offered through universities in the United States and Canada, including Rutgers University, provides intensive horticultural training to individuals who then volunteer as Master Gardeners in their communities by giving lectures, creating gardens and conducting research.
In addition, on Mon. May 9th at 11am, there will be a Perennials for Sun or Shade program. Rutgers Master Gardener Christy Van Horn will present a session on the importance of carefully selecting the proper plants and flowers for your garden and yard to help ensure their viability.
Van Horn’s gardening interest and early training came from living on a farm in Hood River, Oregon where she learned various horticultural skills to enhance fruit production such as grafting, pruning, thinning and irrigation routines. She received a BS from the University of Oregon, and a Master’s Degree in Public Policy from Rutgers University and was the founding executive director of New Jersey Future, a statewide non-profit that promoted land use planning. She was also appointed to the State Planning Commission by Governor James Florio.
The Old Bridge Public Library was recently voted “Best Public Library in Middlesex County” by the readers of the Home News Tribune. The Library is open seven-days-a-week and is located at 1 Old Bridge Plaza at the corner of Rt. 516 and Cottrell Road in the Municipal Center. More information about Library programs, as well as program registration, can be found at www.oldbridgelibrary.org or by calling 732-721-5600 x5033. The satellite Laurence Harbor branch is located at 277 Shoreland Circle; phone: 732-566-2227.