South Middlesex Times

Are weeds conquering your victory garden? Have critters turned it into a dine-and-dash buffet? Sound advice is available for New Jersey residents through the Rutgers Master Gardeners program, which operates helplines throughout the state.

Ruth Carll, a state leader in consumer horticulture who oversees the Rutgers Master Gardener program, stated, "Every month, we get literally thousands of contacts to the statewide helpline system." The program has about 1,200 volunteers and helplines for 16 of the state’s 21 counties.

Carll works within the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, part of the Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station Cooperative Extension. She discussed common garden concerns such as invasive species and soil quality.

Current inquiries primarily involve lawns, trees, and woody plants. According to Carll, "Cool season lawns have gone dormant and people are either not sure what to do or are concerned about grubs and other infestations." Additionally, trees and woody plants exhibit symptoms during hot and dry periods. “They may drop branches; leaves start looking a little rough and insects and fungus can attack when the plants are stressed,” she noted.

Calls regarding the Joro spider have also increased due to media coverage. Carll mentioned that although this spider is not present in New Jersey yet, many people mistake native spiders for it. Tick-related calls have also surged.

Invasive lawn grasses and plant questions are frequent topics among callers. An invasive orchid that has recently started blooming has prompted numerous “What is this?” inquiries.

Rutgers Master Gardeners frequently provide guidance on improving lawns and gardens by emphasizing soil testing. “You should get your soil tested,” advised Carll. A $20 test provides a detailed report that can help gardeners avoid replacing plants due to poor soil conditions.

Addressing common myths in gardening, Carll explained that non-native plants could also be beneficial when mixed with native ones: "There are wonderful non-native plants that don’t become invasive... Native plants are a must-have."

Regarding her role, Carll said she enjoys leveraging resources to connect communities with practical research: "I feel like I can make things happen that will help New Jersey... be happy, healthy, sustainable and beautiful."

Those interested in becoming a Rutgers Master Gardener should contact their county's Cooperative Extension Office. The next training opportunity will be in early 2025 as current sessions are ongoing. No prior knowledge is required.

Kitta MacPherson contributed to this article.

---