GROWING IN THE GARDEN
ACUA has a robust organic community garden at our Environmental Park in Egg Harbor Township. Gardeners can rent plots for $15 per growing season and are granted access to compost and a greenhouse. Please contact us if you have interested in growing here!
Educational Programs in the Garden
ACUA and the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Atlantic County partner to offer free gardening programming to the community. Programs are held at the Geo Administrative Building, which is the first building on the right at ACUA's Environmental Park (6700 Delilah Road in Egg Harbor Township).
Garden Talks will be held on the 4th Monday of the month at 5:30 p.m., unless noted otherwise. We'll meet outdoors in garden (weather permitting) or inside the Geo Building. Please register for Garden Talks below to be informed of any changes to the schedule.
For questions, please email: ar@acua.com or call (609) 272-6950
2025 Garden Talk Series
Monday, January 27: Compost 101 – Learn how easy it is to compost at home. We’ll review different types of bins, how composting works, and the easiest ways to get started.
Tuesday, February 11: Winter Sowing (RESCHEDULED) – Start your garden early by planting seeds in the winter. Learn techniques to make this project a success and get a good jump start on the growing season. Your plants will be so big and beautiful early on.
Monday, February, 24: Late Winter Seed Starting - Now is the time to prepare certain crops for healthy and robust yields, early in the season. Plant peas and potatoes for St. Patty’s day.
Monday, March 24: Spring Soil Prep- Learn about soil properties, compaction, how to read a soil test and why it’s so important to get your soil tested. Optional – for a $20 fee (cash only), you can purchase and take home your own soil test from the Rutgers Cooperative Extension.
*Sunday, April 27: Houseplant Workshop at ACUA Earth Day! Attend the Atlantic County Master Gardener’s Workshop at ACUA’s Earth Day Festival on Sunday, April 27th at 11 a.m. Learn how to take care of indoor plants, when to fertilize, and how to take cuttings to share with your friends. Free plants in limited supply.
*Monday, May 19: Pepper Party! Learn about the different types of peppers from spicy, sweet, small, large, green, purple, and more! We’re taking a deep dive in to the exciting world of peppers. We’ll go over how to grow peppers, how to harvest, and the varieties that grow well in South Jersey gardens.
Monday, June 23: Community Garden Tour- Explore community gardens in Atlantic City. Details will be shared closer to the tour.
Monday, July 28: Bad Bug- Learn how to stay protected from ticks and mosquitos while working in your garden throughout the year.
Monday, August 25: Back to the Root of Things – Root vegetables and their leafy tops aren’t just a delicious and healthy snack. They can be overwintered, they can help with pest control, and more! Learn when to plant root vegetables, when to harvest, and how to cook.
Monday, September 22: Adding Shrubs for Winter Interest- Incorporating native perennial shrubs into your home landscape has so many benefits for wildlife and aesthetics throughout the entire year. Beautify your yard year-round with easy-to-grow and maintain foliage.
Monday, October 27: Herb growing and preserving 101 – Learn how to plant, grow, and harvest herbs. Celebrate Indigenous Peoples Month by learning traditional methods of harvesting and storing herbs.
*Monday, November 17: All About Pumpkins - Learn about the lifecycle of a pumpkin – all the stages of growth, how to harvest the seeds, and how to plant them again for the next year. Bring in your own pumpkin to make a living centerpiece for your Holiday table.
*Monday, December 15: – End of the Year Garden Party – Everyone is welcome to enjoy the end of the year with this celebration. We’ll enjoy a program wrap-up, submit ideas for next year’s program series, and have a white elephant game. Please bring in a garden-themed item that is little ($5) to no cost (think extra gardening books, plant propagations, or an spare garden tool.) We’ll have extra items on hand too – everyone can participate in this exchange.