Master gardeners still have calendars available

The master gardener program of Ocean County has a limited number of 2008 calendars available at Rutgers Cooperative Extension. As long as supplies last, residents can obtain a free calendar at Rutgers Extension Office, 1623 Whitesville Road, Toms River, or the County Connection.

The County Connection, located near J.C. Penney at the Ocean County Mall, Toms River, is a service of theOcean County Board of Freeholders.

Themaster gardeners'2008 calendar describes the cultivation of plants, trees and shrubs that 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 a gardening checklist for each month.

The back cover of the calendar has a map of the current USDA plant hardiness zones for New Jersey. There is also an email address, oceanag@rcre.rutgers.edu, for recipients to send calendar feedback.

According to a press release, the master gardeners would like to know what people like or dislike about the calendar and what they expect to find useful. Respondents can alsomake suggestions for future calendars.

For information about theOcean County master gardener program, call (732) 349- 1246 or send e-mail to the above address.A new training class formaster gardener volunteers will start at the end of February and there are still openings for trainees.