Master gardeners produce 2008 gardening calendar
The Barnegat Bay National Estuary Program awarded a Public Education and Outreach Minigrant in the amount of $5,834 to the Master Gardener Association of Ocean County Inc. The grant program is designed to motivate people to participate in protecting and restoring the land and water in the Barnegat Bay Watershed.

The Master Gardeners proposed to publish and distribute a 2008 gardening and environmental calendar. The theme of the calendar is to inform residents of how the recommended techniques for the cultivation of plants, trees and shrubs will positively impact the Barnegat Bay Watershed.

For each month of the year there is a narrative on some aspect of horticulture. Topics include "Rain Gardens," "Xeriscaping," "Integrated Pest Management," "Plant Species Native to the Barnegat Bay Watershed," "Water-wise Gardening" and "Composting." There is also a gardening checklist for each month.

Delores Henry and Rosemarie Martelli are coordinators of the calendar project and have been assisted by a committee of Master Gardener volunteers." The calendar is useful for novice and experienced gardeners," said Henry. "Residents like the idea of environmentally friendly gardening."

Phyllis Nichol, an artist and member of the organization, created the cover.

The Master Gardener calendars were introduced to the public at the Barnegat Bay Festival in June and the Ocean County Fair in July. Master Gardeners and their county partners will continue to distribute calendars at outreach events until the end of the grant period, Jan. 31, 2008, or as long as the supply lasts.

The free 2008 calendars are also available for residents to pick up at Rutgers Cooperative Extension and Agriculture Center, 1623 Whitesville Road, Toms River, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Barnegat Bay Estuary Program will distribute calendars at its office on the campus of Ocean County College, College Drive, Toms River. The phone number is (732) 255- 0472.

The Master Gardener Association of Ocean County Inc., assists Rutgers Cooperative Extension in delivering horticulture programs and information to the general public. For information about the Master Gardener program and the next training class, call (732) 349-1246.