Ask A Master Gardener
Bring your gardening questions to us!
Whether it’s an insect pest infestation or an unknown pathogen destroying your beloved plants, certified Master Gardeners are available to answer your questions or provide advice. Gardeners may bring plant or insect samples to the clinic.
Port Townsend ‘Ask a Master Gardener’ clinic
Hours of operation: noon – 2:00 p.m.
Port Hadlock ‘Ask a Master Gardener’ clinic
Hours of operation: 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Can’t make it to a clinic?
More Information
Need to drop off a sample?
Note: Master Gardeners need a fresh specimen to make an accurate identification or assessment of the issue. If cut plants are left in sunny or hot location they will wilt excessively thus making diagnosis very difficult.
Clinic Tips
For plant problem diagnosis bring a sample that clearly shows the difference between unhealthy and healthy tissue. Pick a fresh plant specimen, put the cut end of the stem in a moist paper towel, and then come to the Ask a Master Gardener workshop.
For plant identification bring a sample or picture that includes leaves, branches, stems, a portion of the fruiting or flowering structure (if available), and a picture of the stem or bark.
For insect identification bring the insect intact in a small container soon after capture.
Photo tips:
- Show the damaged or problem plant or insect in the landscape along with other plants to provide additional clues to the probable cause of the problem.
- Show the base of the plant at the soil line to determine root issues.
- Show live branches/limbs and leaves, dead or dying branches/limbs and leaves to help us determine the spread.
- Show buds and flowers to help with plant identification.
- Show the insect if that is the suspected culprit in the damage, along with the kinds of damage you are seeing.
WSU Puyallup Diagnostic Lab
Soil Testing
Noxious Weed Board
Website: Jefferson County Noxious Weed Board or Phone: 360-316-9332
Master Gardener volunteers are trained para-professionals who will provide you with information that is research-based and focused on environmentally friendly gardening practices.
Gardening Resources
Pacific Northwest Gardener’s Handbook: Growing for the Future
WSU Extension’s new, definitive gardening resource, the expanded, modernized, and regionally focused Pacific Northwest Gardener’s Handbook: Growing for the Future is a multi-year culmination of expertise covering the fundamentals of gardening as well as advanced horticultural knowledge.
This is a free download. Printing is permitted for personal use only.
Earn a Washington Gardener Certificate
Learn research-based techniques to create a thriving garden that also benefits our environment. From water conservation to supporting local ecosystems, discover how your gardening choices make a difference.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a step-by-step approach to managing garden pests in a way that protects plants, people, and the environment. Think of IPM as a pyramid of decision-making.
Hortsense
Hortsense | Washington State University is a WSU website containing home gardener fact sheets for managing plant problems with Integrated Pest Management (IPM), including cultural controls and Washington-registered pesticides.
The Evergreen Thumb Podcast
Join us as we invite expert horticulturists, seasoned Master Gardeners, and passionate plant enthusiasts to share their wisdom, practical tips, and hands-on experiences. Learn more about The Evergreen Thumb Podcast.
WSU Gardening Publications
Free gardening publications from Washington State University.
Gardening | WSU Extension Publications | Washington State University
Growing Your Own
Published by Oregon State University, Growing Your Own provides basic advice on a wide range of topics related to vegetable gardening.
Growing Your Own (English version)
Su Propio Cultivo (Spanish version of Growing Your Own)
Growing Your Own print version available to purchase
Pestsense
Pestsense is intended to provide information on how to manage common indoor pest problems using integrated pest management or IPM.
Grow Smart Grow Safe
Sponsored by Thurston County, Grow Smart, Grow Safe (growsmartgrowsafe.org) provides home gardener information resources including pesticide product hazard ratings, Integrated Pest Management, pesticide alternatives.
Home Gardener’s Guide to Soils and Fertilizers
From novice to advanced, all home gardeners should get to know their soil: the nuts and bolts of soil, and how to make it better, included here. Download the Home Gardener’s Guide to Soils and Fertilizers (.pdf).
USDA Hardiness Zone Map
The USDA Hardiness Zone Map is the standard by which gardeners can determine which plants are most likely to thrive at a location.
Backyard Fruit Tree Spray Schedules
Home gardeners can help protect agriculture in Washington State by properly maintaining their backyard fruit trees.
The spray recommendations for home garden fruit trees list of PDFs shows the suggested spray schedules for each tree crop.
Rain Garden Online Training for Non-Professionals
Online training:
This is a free online self-paced introductory course to rain garden planning, construction, plant selection, and maintenance for non-professionals. The course is intended for homeowners and rain garden enthusiasts interested in managing excess stormwater on their property.
Washington State University Plant Pest Diagnostic Clinic
The Washington State University Plant Pest Diagnostic Clinic is dedicated to serving the state of Washington and its citizens by providing the highest quality service by providing plant disease and disorder diagnosis, pest identification, and management strategies.
WSU Puyallup Plant and Insect Diagnostic Lab
The Washington State University Puyallup Plant & Insect Diagnostic Laboratory is committed to helping the citizens of Washington State resolve their troubles with plants and insects through accurate problem diagnoses.
Pest Leaflet Series
The Pest Leaf Series (PLS) was initiated in the WSU Puyallup Plant & Insect Diagnostic Laboratory to produce brief “bulletins” on problems frequently received at the laboratory, for which no formal extension bulletins or other readily available information exists. The PLS covers insect problems, diseases, abiotic problems, and other miscellaneous situations on which we are regularly asked to provide information.
Pest Leaflet Series | Plant Clinic Site | Washington State University
Gardening in Washington State
Gardening in Washington State helps you navigate the hundreds of free Publications that WSU Extension maintains on all things gardening.
Come learn with us!
The WSU Extension Master Gardener Advanced Education Conference (AEC) is open to all garden enthusiasts!
To further the training of volunteers and keep them abreast of cutting-edge horticultural science, the Master Gardener Foundation of Washington State partners with the WSU Extension Master Gardener Program to produce the AEC. This educational event is just one way we strive to ensure that when you reach out to your local Extension Master Gardeners, you are assured of getting innovative, unbiased, scientifically supported advice.