Community Education & Speakers Bureau

DISSEMINATES HORTICULTURAL INFORMATION
TO BOTH CHILDREN AND ADULTS

Operating under the aegis of Rutgers Cooperative Extension (RCE), the Master Gardeners of Essex County (MGEC) provides educational outreach throughout Essex County, New Jersey. Our mission is to provide research-based horticultural information to the general public in the form of community presentations for adults given by trained speakers and children’s programs for schools that are designed to link gardening to the State of New Jersey curriculum standards. We also offer information on community gardens offered by our experienced community garden project leaders. All of our educational outreach activity is limited to Essex County, New Jersey.

Community Education for Adults

Our list of topics can change, so please check this site for the latest list of presentations.

At present, we offer the following topics:

Bees, Invasive Bugs & More

A delightful review of the making of a Beekeeper, including how honey is made and harvested. Discussion covers nectar flows, swarming and invasive creatures as well as the role of the spotted lantern fly with regard to honey. A selection of honey and honey-related items from the Stately Hyland Apiaries can be made available for sale after the presentation.

Gardening for Life: An Eco-Friendly & Sustainable Gardening Approach

Discussion of eco-friendly and sustainable gardening including gardening techniques, sequential planting, increasing garden productivity, end of summer gardening, seed preservation and garden maintenance.

Growing Exotic Plants in Your Home

How to source and raise tropical plants in your home and outdoors during the summer. Featuring some unique plants such as the parachute flower, bat flower and the climbing sea onion. More familiar orchids are also discussed.

Hydrangeas: Everything You Need to Know About America’s Favorite Shrub

Differentiating the many varieties of hydrangeas including specific care. How to prune the different types of hydrangeas taking into account “old wood, new wood” pruning and how to maximize blooms.

Introduction to Native Gardening

The importance and benefits of native plants and how using native plants in home gardens provides the environment with connected habitats for conservation. Comprehensive review of New Jersey native plant species including trees, shrubs and perennials and where to source them.

Joy of Herbs

A ready source of fresh herbs at your fingertips! A selection of herbs is discussed and easy methods of growing them are shown.

Private Estates to Public Gardens

Tour and enjoy the beauty of 10 nearby public gardens that were once part of private estates. Learn the history of these gardens and see their unusual architecture and horticultural collections.

The Tick Talk

Ticks are on the uptick! How to identify ticks, their habitats and behavior. How to protect yourself by minimizing exposure and what you should do if bitten. A must for every gardener.

The Value of a Meadow: Why They are Important and How to Make One of Your Own

A review of how an urban meadow, the Caldwell Pollinator Garden, was established on a commercial lot in the town. The importance of native plants to attract pollinators and add ecological value. How home gardeners can add a mini meadow in their yard.

To secure a speaker:

Choose a topic from the list above
We require a minimum attendance of 10 persons
Provide at least 1 month lead time
Contact our Speakers Bureau Coordinator
- Billy Ciardiello wpc.mgec@gmail.com
- Your contact information (email address and cell phone number) will be given to the speaker
- Speaker will contact you regarding scheduling and equipment needs (presentations are in PowerPoint)
Presentations are generally 1 hour in length and allow for Q&A
Speakers are provided free of charge, however MGEC will graciously accept an honorarium to help in providing our horticultural educational endeavor. If your organization wishes to offer an honorarium, checks should be made payable to:
- The Master Gardeners of Essex County (MGEC)

Community Garden Information

MGEC Project Leads offer advice on starting and developing a community garden. They are available to discuss topics such as starting and managing a community garden, what to plant, succession and vertical planting and composting. You can meet with them at your community garden site or visit the approved MGEC Nicholas Vecchio Memorial UNICO Garden in West Orange or the Riker Hill Community Garden in Livingston.
Contact Billy Ciardiello wpc.mgec@gmail.com for more information.

School Garden Information

MGEC Project Leads also offer advice on starting and developing a school garden. They are available to discuss topics such as starting and managing a school garden, parent and school administration involvement and developing student interactive learning opportunities. You can meet with them at your school garden site or visit approved MGEC school garden sites located in Newark, Montclair and West Caldwell.

Contact Billy Ciardiello wpc.mgec@gmail.com to request a program