The WSU Master Gardeners diagnosis team identifies plant problems and plant pests and recommends solutions to manage them, as well as our gardens and landscaping.
Contact us:
In 2024, we offer diagnosis services various times weekly. Please bring samples and/or photos of your plant or insect problem.
In-Person: seasonally
- Wednesday from 1-4 pm at the WSU Extension Office at 400 Washington Street, Wenatchee. WA, April to October 9, 2024.
- Third Saturday events in the Continuing Education Garden, 1100 North Western Avenue in Wenatchee, WA. In 2024: May 18, June 15, July 20, August 17, September 27.
Email: Year round, send your gardening questions to chelanmastergardeners@gmail.com, with the following guidelines:
- in the subject line, state your topic, such as insect on kale, oak tree, lawn
- state your question concisely
- include the plant name, age, growing conditions, and symptoms, and include as much information about the plant as possible
- some questions are more complex than others and are better addressed in a discussion and with a sample of the plant. We may recommend you call or visit us during clinic hours.
Telephone: Call us at the Extension office at 509-667-6540 and leave a message and telephone number.
Plant Information
Do you want to learn more about xeric plants suitable for our area, fire- resistant options, the benefits of drip irrigation, which mulch to use, the best time to fertilize or water your plants, or how to prune your roses, shrubs and trees? Master Gardeners have experience and technical resources to answer your questions. We can find information–often printable online–on care of specific plants.
Apple, cherry and pear production is a major industry in our area. Learn why to buy these fruits locally rather than grow your own. If you grow these trees, learn which sprays to use and when to apply them to avoid problems that could endanger the local fruit industry.
Also read a variety of topics in Plant and Insect Clinic FAQs, Gardening in Central Washington, and specific gardening topics on our website.
We also maintain lists of ISA Certified Arborists, soil testing labs, and local garden materials companies. Read the lists.
Plant Problems
Is your plant turning brown or the edges curling? Does it have black spots or is it turning yellow mid-summer? Does your lawn have discolored rings? We can help you identify the likely problem and suggest solutions to restore your plant, lawn or garden to good health.
We’ll pull resources from our library and consult WSU’s Hortsense, an online resource. If we don’t know the answer, we ‘ll forward the problem to a WSU Extension scientist.
Plant Pests
What are those tiny white flies hovering over and on your plant? What’s causing pine needles to brown? Why is the edge of leaves scalloped? Why is a leaf getting pale?
When you bring in a sample of a damaged leaf or branch, we can examine it by microscope or hand lens to identify the culprit. Using Washington State University’s online resource Pestsense, we can print information you can take home and learn how to manage your problem.
We’ll also explain which flying insects are your garden’s best friends and which are its foes.