Master Gardeners Of Union County Works Out Of Westfield Headquarters

The Garden Helpline, a committee of The Master Gardeners of Union County, is staffed by 31 trained MGs, all qualified volunteers. Recently taking turns on telephone duty are (l-r) MGs Walter Pommnitz (of Clark, standing), Dennis Lies (Westfield, standing), Dean Talcott (Fanwood, seated), Marion Goldberger (MG intern, Cranford), Bridget Mracek (Mountainside, seated, front), Helpline Chair Dolores Batz-Culp (Scotch Plains, seated, blue shirt), James Keane and Lorraine Wallace (both Rahway), and Mary Gosnell (N. Plainfield).

Union County residents with insect and plant-related questions can call the Garden Helpline at (908) 654-9852. Hours, until Nov 15, are Monday-Thursday, 9am-3pm; Friday, 9am-1pm. Fall-winter hours, after Nov 15, are Monday, Wednesday, 9am-3pm; Friday, 9am-1pm.

The Master Gardeners, together with their Garden Helpline, are headquartered in Union County’s Colleen Fraser Building, 2nd floor, at 300 North Avenue East in Westfield, across from Westfield Diner.

“Whatever your problem,” says Helpline Chair Dolores Batz-Culp, “whether it be fall-winter lawn care, protecting your shrubs, or improving your indoor landscape with shade or sun-loving plants, the Garden Helpline is just a call away.”

The Rutgers Master Gardeners of Union County are trained volunteers whose mission is to support land stewardship and disseminate research-based information to the public related to gardening and natural resource management. The program is part of the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County and is supported in part by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders. For more information, call the Extension offices at (908) 654-9854, call the Garden Helpline at (908) 654-9852, or visit http://mastergardeners-uc.org. T.J. Karns, Publicity Chair, Master Gardeners of Union County.  Photo by Master Gardener Richard Bottino.