Ocean County Master Gardeners determine best landscaping practices

Photo by Kelley Anne Essinger
Ocean County Master Gardeners can help
individuals determine the best ways to
landscape a coastal yard.

Part two of the six-part Rutgers Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Series will focus on “Landscaping Your Yard” at the Stafford branch of the Ocean County Library on Monday, March 11. The presentation, led by Master Gardener Keavy Franzoni, will discuss the many different ways to assess your yard and how to develop a plan based on sun, partial sun or shade. Maintenance levels, watering needs, multi-season interests and where to place ground cover and/or lawn will also be addressed. The seminar will take place at 2:30 p.m.

“Keavy will probably emphasize the fact that even though (a plant) looks nice, and neat, and cute now, you really have to envision it 10 years from now, or depending upon what you’re planting, maybe 15 years,” said Ted Behr, a member of the Ocean County Master Gardeners, who mentored Franzoni during her training years. “When they grow and mature, they usually get much bigger than when you got them from a nursery. They’re not going to stay the same size. Based upon what it is, you probably need to have a space between the plants that’s at least two to three arm-lengths,” he explained.

A question and answer period offered during the event between 1:30 and 4 p.m. will allow participants to meet with one of the available Master Gardeners to discuss any horticultural concerns. Attendees are welcome to bring clippings from dying or diseased plants or critters for diagnosis.

The gardening series will continue throughout the season on Mondays. Franzoni will host a talk on beach and bay plantings on March 25. Mary Townsend will discuss irises on April 8, and Sandy Zenkel will host a presentation on container water gardening on April 22. The last seminar, on container gardening, directed by Behr and Ruby Cramer, will take place on April 13.

To register for the events, visit theoceancountylibrary.org or call 609-597-3381.

A horticultural hotline offered by the Ocean County Master Gardeners will be available during morning hours at the end of March. Dial 732-349-1245 to connect.