Send Garden Pests Packing: Learn How at the Ocean County Library Stafford Branch

STAFFORD TOWNSHIP – Your colorful, productive garden is vulnerable to unwanted critters, weeds and maladies.  Find out how to protect your plants during “Pest Management in the Garden” at the Ocean County Library Stafford Branch, 10:30 AM Monday, June 9.

Become familiar with the proactive Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach to insects, weeds and plant diseases using knowledge, prevention, observation, intervention and evaluation, and control measures that are cultural, mechanical, biological and, as a last resort, chemical.

Rutgers Master Gardener of Ocean County Rachel Halford will help you to identify and manage common garden and landscape intruders and ailments. The West Creek resident earned a Bachelor of Environmental Science degree at Stockton University and is in her fifth year as a Rutgers Master Gardener. She belongs to the Garden Club of Long Beach Island, Purple Martin Conservation Association, Ecological Landscaping Alliance, Native Plant Society of New Jersey, Alliance for NJ Environmental Education and NJ Pinelands Commission.

“My hope is to enrich the lives of others through gardening as well as providing research and information in horticulture,” Rachel said. Blueberry farms in Hammonton and Mays Landing benefited from her IPM expertise. She conducts research at the Stockton Sustainability Farm and volunteers at Tuckerton’s Cuisine on the Green Demonstration Garden, Eagleswood Fire Department garden and the rain garden at the Sea Girt National Guard Training Center.

Please register at https://tinyurl.com/OclRmgPests to attend this free program. Bring your soil and plant samples and questions for the “Ask a Master Gardener” diagnostic clinic, taking place during the program and every second and fourth Monday of each month, 10 AM ‘til 12 PM.

For more information visit or call the OCL Stafford Branch, 129 North Main Street, Manahawkin, (609) 597-3381. See the full schedule of Library programs in the online Calendar of Events.

OCL turns 100 this year and you’re why we’re celebrating! See details on Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, Spotify, Pinterest and https://theoceancountylibrary.org.