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Ask a Master Gardener

Free access to unbiased research-based horticulture advice
WSU Extension > Snohomish County > MG Home > Educational outreach > Ask a Master Gardener

We’re trained to help you!

Wood chips in the demo garden

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.

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Ask a Master Gardener

Aphids on a plant.

Hortsense

Hortsense contains home gardener fact sheets for managing plant problems.

Hortsense

Other gardening resources

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

Gardening resources

Common weeds in our area

Bittercress, also known as Shotweed

Bittercress (a.k.a.: Shotweed)

Little bittercress is a fall/winter-germinating annual species growing to less than five inches tall. Leaves are compound with one large terminal leaflet and several pairs of smaller lateral leaflets. Each leaflet is smooth and circular to slightly heart-shaped in outline.
Shooting 'Shotweed'!
Dandelion going to seed

Dandelions

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

Horsetail

Horsetails are found primarily in moist to wet areas. Scouringrush 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.
Horsetail

Buttercup, creeping – Ranunculus repens

Creeping buttercup is a creeping perennial plant that is usually fairly low growing. The stems are hairy and root at the nodes when they contact the soil. Leaves are also hairy, with long petioles. The leaf blade is divided or deeply lobed into three broadly toothed segments.
Creeping Buttercup

Poison hemlock – Conium maculatum

Seedling poison hemlock plants are rosettes of finely divided fern-like leaves which closely resemble carrot leaves.
Mature plants grow six to eight or more feet tall from a large white taproot that is solid throughout. The alternate, fern-like leaves have a distinct, unpleasant odor.
Poison Hemlock

Frequently asked questions:

A: Yes! It is the best way for Snohomish County Master Gardeners to diagnose plant problems.

A: Yes! Master Gardeners encourage to bring as much information as possible to the clinic so we can diagnose the plant issue accurately.

A: Of Course! Master Gardeners have access to an extraordinary amount of information to help ID the plant. Bring a picture to the next scheduled clinic in your area.