Hand reaching for plants sprouting in the dirt after it's rained.

Ask a Master Gardener

Free access to unbiased research-based horticulture advice
WSU Extension > Kittitas County > Master Gardener Home > Educational outreach > Ask a Master Gardener
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We’re trained to help you!

Master Gardeners looking over plant specimins.

For more than a half century, home gardeners have been bringing us their questions and issues. We have University trained volunteers who can help you tackle those intractable problems! Our diagnostic team specializes in pinpointing issues with plants and pests, offering free research-based advice on effective management strategies for both the pests and the overall health of gardens and landscapes.

Ask a Master Gardener

Master Gardeners tabling under a canopy. Their table banner reads "Master Gardener Program" and has both the flower logo and the WSU Cougar logo.

Ask a Master Gardener plant clinic locations

If instead of email, you want to have some back-and-forth question and answer so that, together, we can hone on the difficult to describe issue, join us at our in-person clinic. We are located at 901 E 7th Avenue, Ellensburg, WA 98926. The plant clinic phone number is 509-933-8237. The clinic is open every Tuesday April through September from 11:30am-2:30pm.
Aphids on a plant.

Other gardening resources

Find publications and links to a vast library of gardening resources.

Gardening resources

Frequently asked questions:

A: Yes! Submit an online diagnostic request any time of the year or bring your photos and samples to the clinic every Tuesday April through September from 11:30am-2:30pm. We will determine the problem and give you solutions to get your garden back on track.

A: Master Gardeners are able to answer garden related questions about insects, lawns, vegetables, and ornamental plants. We are also able to help with garden topics including, watering and design.

A: Yes. Submit an online submission form detailing your garden related question and we will get back to you with an answer.

Common Local Weeds to Watch For

Creeping tendril of a black medic plant with small yellow flower clusters and clover-like leaves.

Black Medic

Black medic grows in gardens, lawns, and waste areas, commonly on poor soils.
A spiny purple thistle flower.

Bull Thistle

Bull thistle is commonly found in pastures, fields, waste areas, and roadsides on fairly rich, moist soils.
A thistle plant with spiky leaves, a smooth-based flower, and purple petals.

Canada Thistle

Canada thistle is found in fields, waste and cultivated areas, and pastures, commonly on heavy or rich soils.
Dandelion going to seed

Dandelions

The common dandelion is a persistent taproot plant that reproduces by seeds and by short shoots from the crown. It also grows back from roots broken during hand removal. 
Field of horsetail

Horsetail/Scouringrush

Horsetails are found primarily in moist to wet areas. Scouring rush is common along roadsides and ditch banks. Field horsetail is found primarily in moist to wet areas, but can survive in drier areas once established. Field horsetail is a common weed of gardens, pastures, and home landscapes.
A purple flower with a hairy base on a long fuzzy stem with small leaves.

Knapweeds

Several species of knapweeds establish themselves on roadsides, waste areas, fields, and pastures both east and west of the Cascades. Their early spring growth makes them competitive for soil moisture and nutrients. Some evidence suggests that knapweeds release chemicals which inhibit surrounding vegetation.
A spindly plant with branches radiating from a center point with small, fern-like leaves.

Puncturevine

Puncturevine grows along roadsides and railroads, in cultivated areas, and waste places. It can grow in compacted soil, sandy soils, or moist, rich soils. It can be a problem in low maintenance turfgrass in central Washington.
A close-up of a succulent plant with waxy leaves and a yellow flower.

Purslane

Common purslane is a common weed of gardens, lawns, waste areas, and cultivated fields. It grows best on rich, moist soils and can grow in sun or shade.