Union County residents now have access to free expert gardening advice through a helpline staffed by trained Master Gardener volunteers who can assist with everything from pest identification to soil improvement.
The Union County Board of County Commissioners and Rutgers Master Gardeners of Union County operate the service, which residents can access by calling 908-654-9852, emailing mastergardeners@ucnj.org, or visiting the headquarters at 151 Grant St. in Berkeley Heights.
The helpline addresses a wide range of horticultural questions, including plant diseases and pests, lawn care, composting, fertilizing, and both vegetable and flower gardening.
Volunteers can also provide guidance on selecting native and pollinator-friendly plants, as well as pruning, watering and soil management techniques.
“Whether you’re a new gardener wondering when to plant tomatoes, or you’re dealing with pests or yellowing leaves, our volunteers are ready to help,” said Goda Dattatreya, leader of the helpline team of volunteers.
All advice comes from Rutgers University’s science-based curriculum combined with volunteers’ extensive field experience. Residents emailing the helpline are encouraged to include photos of plants, pests or problems they’re experiencing.
The service operates Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Friday until 1 p.m. from April through November. During winter months from December to March, the helpline runs Mondays and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with Friday hours until 1 p.m.
“This helpline is part of our mission to support residents with accurate, research-based information that’s tailored to local conditions,” said Pat Paul, a Cranford resident and president of the Master Gardeners program.
Union County also offers a 2026 Master Gardeners training program for residents interested in gardening education and community service. The program begins in early January and runs through May at Trailside Nature and Science Center, including horticultural education, hands-on training and outreach opportunities.
“Our Master Gardeners training program is an excellent way for residents to contribute to bettering our planet and give back to their community, while doing something they enjoy,” said Union County Commissioner Bette Jane Kowalski, liaison to the Rutgers Cooperative Extension.
Beyond the helpline, Master Gardener volunteers maintain a 1.5-acre demonstration garden at the Trailside Nature & Science Center in Mountainside. The garden welcomes visitors on Saturday mornings when weather permits, with guided tours and seasonal events available by arrangement.
The Master Gardener program operates as part of the Rutgers Cooperative Extension, a partnership between Rutgers University, Union County and the U.S. Department of Agriculture that trains volunteers in environmentally responsible gardening practices.
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