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EARTH Center Garden Workshop on July 31

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butterfly branch vintage image black and white

The Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Middlesex County’s free workshop “Attracting Birds & Butterflies,” is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Sunday, July 31 at the EARTH Center, located in Davidson’s Mill Pond Park at 42 Riva Ave., South Brunswick. This workshop will teach participants about the plants and features that can be added to a backyard to make it more desirable to birds and butterflies. It is designed for the beginner or intermediate gardener who is looking to not only beautify their home, but also make a positive impact on the environment. Many experts believe that the public can help end the current decline of monarch butterfly populations. These butterflies are in danger due to the eradication of milkweed, its larvae’s host plant. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Middlesex County, birds, butterflies, butterfly, gardening

EARTH Butterfly House Opens for Summer Season

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butterfly branch vintage image black and white

The Butterfly House in the Middlesex County EARTH Center has opened for the summer season. The “hoop house” which is maintained by the Master Gardener Program is filled with plants that feed and shelter butterflies and larvae native to New Jersey. Information is available on butterfly host plants and attracting butterflies to local yards and gardens. Hours are from 10 a.m. to noon every Saturday and Sunday in June, July and August (weather permitting). There is no admission charge. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Middlesex County, butterfly, gardening, Middlesex County

EARTH Center Lawn Mower Maintenance Workshop June 18

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The Master Gardeners of Middlesex County will hold a free workshop on the “A-Z of Lawn Mower Maintenance” from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, June 18 at the EARTH Center in Davidson’s Mill Pond Park in South Brunswick. This “hands-on” workshop will teach the “dos and don’ts” of lawn mower maintenance and will include such topics as: mower safety, cleaning air filters, changing engine oil and other tips on how to keep your lawn mower properly maintained. Also covered will be basic techniques on how to encourage a healthy lawn while limiting the use of pesticides. The program is FREE, but registration is required by June 15. To register for this event or for more information, contact the County Extension Office at 732-398-5262. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Middlesex County, gardening, Middlesex County

Middlesex County Selling Composting Bins, Holding Composting Seminars

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This Spring, the Middlesex County Division of Solid Waste Management will have composting bins for sale every Wednesday from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at 711 Jersey Avenue in New Brunswick. Different types of bins are available, including those exclusively for yard trimmings, bins that use scraps from your table and yard, and an indoor bin for vermi-composting with worms.

Three free composting seminars will be held at the Middlesex County EARTH Center in Davidson’s Mill Pond Park, 42 Riva Ave., South Brunswick. Classes run about 2 hours. Backyard Composting: 10 a.m. Sunday, April 10
Vermi-Composting (using worms): 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 19
Backyard Composting: 10 a.m. Saturday, April 16

The backyard composting seminar will introduce the basics of collecting kitchen scraps and yard waste in a compost bin, and allowing the natural breakdown to create compost, an earthy, soil-like material. If you do not have a yard of your own, you can still learn about composting and benefit from it at the second workshop, which teaches vermi-composting. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Middlesex County, composting, gardening

Gardening with Youth Conference Coming to Middlesex County

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Middlesex County’s Office of Extension Services will present a new program that demonstrates how gardening can be used as an educational tool for young people. “Digging Into Youth Gardens: A Conference for Educators and Community Leaders” will take place on Saturday, March 5 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at East Jersey Old Town Village, located at 1050 River Road, Piscataway. The conference fee will be $25 with early registration by Wednesday, March 2 and $30 for late registration. Checks, made payable to Middlesex County treasurer can be mailed to or dropped off at the EARTH Center in Davidsons Mill Pond Park located at 42 Riva Avenue, which is geographically located in South Brunswick. The purpose of the conference is to assist schools, community youth groups, churches, YMCAs and other groups in starting and maintaining a youth garden. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Middlesex County, gardening, Middlesex County, youth

Beekeeping Workshop at the EARTH Center

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The Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Middlesex County is hosting a free introductory beekeeping workshop. Introduction to Beekeeping is scheduled to be held from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, February 27 at the EARTH Center, located in Davidson’s Mill Pond Park at 42 Riva Avenue in South Brunswick. At this workshop, participants will learn the basics of establishing a hive on their own property, and about the positive impact hobbyist beekeepers have had on the environment’s honeybee population. “This class should generate a lot of interest in beekeeping, and allow those who have never thought about this traditional practice to understand its purpose and importance,” said Freeholder Kenneth Armwood, Chair of the Business Development and Education Committee. Another topic of discussion will be the best kind of plants to use as pollen sources in your garden, which is especially important if pollen is scarce in your area. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Middlesex County, beekeeping, gardening

County to Offer Composting Workshops

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Two free composting seminars are being held at the Middlesex County EARTH Center in Davidson’s Mill Pond Park, 42 Riva Ave., South Brunswick. Classes run about 2 hours and feature an overview and explanation of two composting techniques:

Backyard Composting: 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 17 \
Vermi-Composting (using worms): 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21

Workshop attendees may also pick up pre-purchased compost bins at the workshops. Call the Solid Waste Office before the workshop for a list of available compost bins. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Middlesex County, gardening, Middlesex County, recycling

Celebrate National Herb Day With Gardening Workshops

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The Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Middlesex County invites you to celebrate National Herb Day with the Rutgers Master Gardeners at their “Ask a Master Gardener” event and plant sale. The event will take place on Saturday, May 2 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the 4-H Youth Center located at 645 Cranbury Road in East Brunswick. Attendees should use the Fern Road entrance. The event will be held rain or shine. This event is designed as an information session and workshop for those looking to start planting and maintaining a successful garden. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Events, gardening, Middlesex County