Main Content
Rutgers Master Gardener Program
Rutgers Master Gardeners are a group of volunteers trained and certified by Rutgers Cooperative Extension to provide educational programs and activities in support of environmentally responsible home gardening. Rutgers Master Gardener Class of 2025 registration is OPEN!
Master Gardener Helpline: 609-989-6853
Trained Master Gardener volunteers operate a year-round telephone helpline to advise the public about horticultural matters and diagnose and solve home gardening problems. County residents may get free answers to home garden, insect, and pest questions by calling 609-989-6853. Helpline hours are 9 am to 3 pm, Monday through Thursday, and 9 am to 12 pm on Friday.
Mercer Educational Gardens
The Mercer Educational Gardens, open dawn to dusk, use self-guided tours to teach backyard composting to the residents of Mercer County. There are 20 different compost bins, each maintained by a Master Gardener team. Some bins can be purchased, but many can be made at home with common materials. Surrounding the compost bins are seven teaching gardens with various plant materials. The Mercer Educational Gardens are located adjacent to the Mercer County Equestrian Center in Pennington, 431A Federal City Road.
Master Gardener Events
The Master Gardeners sponsor a variety of events throughout the year. These events include a series of lectures on environmentally responsible home gardening, an annual gardening symposium, a spring plant sale (first Saturday of May), and an award winning insect festival in September. Most events are held at the Cooperative Extension Office or Mercer Educational Gardens.
October 26: Compost Demonstration
This program will cover the many benefits of compost for the home gardener: Basic set-up and maintenance of a successful compost bin, with review of the variety of bin styles available. Hands-on opportunity to help with harvest and begin a new pile!
For More Information
For more information call Cooperative Extension of Mercer County at 609-989-6830 or the Master Gardener Helpline at 609-989-6853.
Have a Lawn or Garden Question?
Call the Master Gardener Helpline:
609-989-6853
Call Cooperative Extension of Mercer County:
609-989-6830