{"id":17514,"date":"2025-12-16T15:50:56","date_gmt":"2025-12-16T23:50:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/thurston\/?page_id=17514"},"modified":"2026-05-13T13:33:21","modified_gmt":"2026-05-13T20:33:21","slug":"gardening-composting-recycling-question-and-answer-clinic","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/thurston\/gardening\/gardening-composting-recycling-question-and-answer-clinic\/","title":{"rendered":"Gardening\/Composting\/Recycling Question and Answer Clinic"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wsu-hero wsu-width--full wsu-pattern--wsu-light-radial-left  wsu-hero--style-boxed \">\n\t<div class=\"wsu-hero__background\">\n\t\t<div class=\"wsu-image-frame wsu-image-frame--fill\">\n\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2025\/12\/image-group-for-MG-Clinic-page-3.jpg\"\n\t\tsrcset=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2025\/12\/image-group-for-MG-Clinic-page-3.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2025\/12\/image-group-for-MG-Clinic-page-3.jpg 396w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2025\/12\/image-group-for-MG-Clinic-page-3.jpg 729w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2025\/12\/image-group-for-MG-Clinic-page-3.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2025\/12\/image-group-for-MG-Clinic-page-3.jpg 1536w\"\n\t\tsizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\"\n\t\talt=\"Pest damage on rhododendron, cedar flagging, cartoon of gift typing on computer, bucket of compost, plastic bottles, and slug on fern leaf.\"\n\t\tstyle=\"object-position: 61% 42%\"\n\t\t\/>\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"wsu-hero__overlay\">\n\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"wsu-hero__content-wrapper\">\n\t\t<div class=\"wsu-hero__inner-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wsu-hero__title-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"wsu-hero__title\">Gardening\/Composting\/<br>Recycling Question and Answer Clinic<\/h1>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wsu-hero__content\">\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"breadcrumbs \" typeof=\"BreadcrumbList\" vocab=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/\"><span property=\"itemListElement\" typeof=\"ListItem\"><a property=\"item\" typeof=\"WebPage\" title=\"Go to WSU Extension.\" href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/\" class=\"main-home\" ><span property=\"name\">WSU Extension<\/span><\/a><meta property=\"position\" content=\"1\"><\/span> &gt; <span property=\"itemListElement\" typeof=\"ListItem\"><a property=\"item\" typeof=\"WebPage\" title=\"Go to Thurston County.\" href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/thurston\" class=\"home\" ><span property=\"name\">Thurston County<\/span><\/a><meta property=\"position\" content=\"2\"><\/span> &gt; <span property=\"itemListElement\" typeof=\"ListItem\"><a property=\"item\" typeof=\"WebPage\" title=\"Go to News.\" href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/thurston\/news\/\" class=\"post-root post post-post\" aria-current=\"page\"><span property=\"name\">News<\/span><\/a><meta property=\"position\" content=\"3\"><\/span><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wsu-row wsu-row--sidebar-right\" >\r\n    \n<div class=\"wsu-column\"  style=\"\">\r\n\t\n<div class=\"wsu-container wsu-dropshadow--medium wsu-spacing-top--small wsu-spacing-bottom--small wsu-spacing-padding-left--small wsu-spacing-padding-right--small wsu-color-background--gray-5\" >\r\n    \n\n<p><em>Do you have a plant eaten-up by bugs or diseases? Maybe you have a plant or weed you cannot identify? Wondering how to turn your yard waste into compost? Not sure if something can be recycled?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That\u2019s where the WSU Master Gardener and Master Recycler Composter volunteers of Thurston County can help. Our certified volunteers can answer your questions using the most accurate, unbiased, scientifically proven, local information and resources. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This service is free to all Thurston County residents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Email your question to:<strong> <a href=\"mailto:master@co.thurston.wa.us\">master@co.thurston.wa.us<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>The Question &amp; Answer Clinic is volunteer-run. WSU Master Gardener and Master Recycler Composter volunteers meet weekly to review questions and discuss solutions.  Please know that it may take up to a week to respond during the busy gardening season.  Review the submission tips and helpful information below so you include the information we need to answer your question. <\/em><\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\r\n\n\n<div class=\"wsu-column\"  style=\"\">\r\n\t\n<section  class=\"wsu-section wsu-dropshadow--low wsu-spacing-before--none wsu-spacing-after--xxmedium wsu-spacing-top--medium\"  >\r\n        \n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading  wsu-font-size--large\">More information<\/h2>\n\n\n    <nav class=\"wsu-navigation-vertical wsu-vertical-menu\">\n        <ul id=\"wsu-site-menu\" class=\"wsu-menu-collapse wsu-menu-collapse--style-vertical\"><li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/thurston\/gardening\/\">WSU Thurston County Master Gardener Program<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/thurston\/gardening\/mc\/\">Thurston County Master Recycler Composter Program<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/thurston\/gardening\/gardening-composting-recycling-question-and-answer-clinic\/\">Have a gardening, recycling, or composting question?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/thurston\/gardening\/demonstration-gardens\/\">Demonstration Gardens<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/thurston\/gardening\/community-events-and-outreach\/\">Events and outreach<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/thurston\/gardening\/resources\/\">Gardening, Composting, and Recycling Resources for Thurston County<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/thurston\/gardening\/the-one-stop-shop-toss\/\">Volunteer Portal \u2013 T.O.S.S. (password-protected)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>    <\/nav>\n\n    <\/section>\n<\/div>\r\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wsu-overlap wsu-overlap-spotlight  wsu-overlap-spotlight--style-right-middle\">\r\n    <div class=\"wsu-overlap__container\">\r\n        <div class=\"wsu-overlap__column\">\r\n            <div class=\"wsu-overlap__column-inner\">\r\n                <div class=\"wsu-overlap-spotlight__image  \">\r\n                    <div class=\"wsu-image-frame wsu-image--ratio-3-4\">\r\n                        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2025\/12\/rosemary-yellow-729x1097.jpg\"\r\n                        srcset=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2025\/12\/rosemary-yellow-729x1097.jpg 729w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2025\/12\/rosemary-yellow-396x596.jpg 396w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2025\/12\/rosemary-yellow-768x1155.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2025\/12\/rosemary-yellow-1021x1536.jpg 1021w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2025\/12\/rosemary-yellow-1362x2048.jpg 1362w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2025\/12\/rosemary-yellow-scaled.jpg 1702w\"\r\n                        sizes=\"(max-width: 729px) 100vw, 729px\"\r\n                        alt=\"Yellowing leaves on rosemary plant. \"\r\n                        style=\"object-position: 36% 45%\"\r\n                        \/>\r\n                    <\/div>\r\n                <\/div>\r\n            <\/div>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n        <div class=\"wsu-overlap__column wsu-overlap--surface-column\">\r\n            <div class=\"wsu-overlap__column-inner\">\r\n                <div class=\"wsu-overlap-spotlight__caption  wsu-border--add-left\">\r\n                    \n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading  wsu-heading--style-marked\">Submission Tips:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Send photos with your question.<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li>Showing the plant in the surrounding landscape.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Up close to the plant, showing the area of concern.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>By providing photos in your initial email will help us expedite a response.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In the body of the email at right, tell us:\n<ul>\n<li>When you <strong>first noticed<\/strong> the issue.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Watering schedule<\/strong>: by hand or irrigation&#8230; drip irrigation? daily or once a week? Duration?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Plant location<\/strong>: Full sun to full shade. Close to house?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Any <strong>recent changes<\/strong>: Recent herbicide spraying? Trees felled nearby?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Attach <\/strong>your picture(s) <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n                <\/div>\r\n            <\/div>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading  wsu-heading--style-marked\">Other helpful information:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Volunteers can only provide information to home gardeners. Commercial farms and businesses need to contact WSU Thurston County Extension office for help, (360) 867-2189.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Volunteers are <strong><em>not <\/em><\/strong>allowed to visit personal properties to do site visits or evaluations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Volunteers are <strong><em>not <\/em><\/strong>allowed to visit personal properties to do site visits or evaluations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Volunteers are <strong><em>not <\/em><\/strong>allowed to answer questions about the following topics: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Questions concerning commercial crop and nursery production, municipal parks and trees, homeowner\/condo association landscape issues, pesticide regulations, wetlands or waterways, livestock and pasture, pet or human health, and food safety\/preservation topics must be referred to the appropriate WSU Extension educator and can\u2019t be answered by WSU Master Gardener volunteers.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>For health issues, including questions about being bitten by something, clients need to contact their personal medical advisers or their County Health District.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Provide legal advice.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Edibility of mushrooms and other foraged plants.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Growing marijuana.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Endorsements of specific businesses and services. i.e. local lawn\/garden service companies, landscape architects, best nurseries&nbsp; etc.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The in-person Question\/Answer Clinic at the Thurston County Extension office is closed until further notice. Instead we are taking our clinics to select in-person events around Thurston County.  Check our outreach events here. <\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wsu-cta \" >\n\t<a \t\t\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/thurston\/gardening\/community-events-and-outreach\/in-person-question-answer-clinics\/\"\t\n\t\tclass=\"wsu-button  wsu-button--style-action\">\n\t\t\t\n\t\tIn-person Outreach Events\t\t\t<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The Gardens and Clinics are operated by Washington State University and Thurston County-trained and certified volunteers. All services provided by Thurston County WSU Master Gardener and Master Recycler Composter volunteers are free to Thurston County residents.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wsu-cta \" >\n\t<a \t\t\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/thurston\/gardening\/\"\t\n\t\tclass=\"wsu-button  wsu-button--style-action\">\n\t\t\t\n\t\tMore gardening information.\t\t\t<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wsu-cta \" >\n\t<a \t\t\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/thurston\/gardening\/mc\/\"\t\n\t\tclass=\"wsu-button  wsu-button--style-action\">\n\t\t\t\n\t\tMore composting and recycling information. \t\t\t<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>WSU Extension programs and employment are available to all without discrimination. Evidence of noncompliance may be reported through your local Extension office. Reasonable accommodations will be made for persons with disabilities and special needs who contact Cori Carlton at\u00a0<a href=\"mailto:cori.carlton@co.thurston.wa.us\">cori.carlton@co.thurston.wa.us<\/a>\u00a0at least two (2) weeks prior to the event or application deadline.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Other helpful information: Volunteers can only provide information to home gardeners. Commercial farms and businesses need to contact WSU Thurston County Extension office for help, (360) 867-2189. Volunteers are not [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":18151,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_tec_requires_first_save":true,"_wsuwp_accessibility_report":null,"_EventAllDay":false,"_EventTimezone":"","_EventStartDate":"","_EventEndDate":"","_EventStartDateUTC":"","_EventEndDateUTC":"","_EventShowMap":false,"_EventShowMapLink":false,"_EventURL":"","_EventCost":"","_EventCostDescription":"","_EventCurrencySymbol":"","_EventCurrencyCode":"","_EventCurrencyPosition":"","_EventDateTimeSeparator":"","_EventTimeRangeSeparator":"","_EventOrganizerID":[],"_EventVenueID":0,"_OrganizerEmail":"","_OrganizerPhone":"","_OrganizerWebsite":"","_VenueAddress":"","_VenueCity":"","_VenueCountry":"","_VenueProvince":"","_VenueZip":"","_VenuePhone":"","_VenueURL":"","_VenueStateProvince":"","_VenueLat":"","_VenueLng":"","_tribe_blocks_recurrence_rules":"","_tribe_blocks_recurrence_description":"","_tribe_blocks_recurrence_exclusions":"","_expiration_date":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"cahnrs_clean_page_nonce":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/thurston\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/17514"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/thurston\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/thurston\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/thurston\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/thurston\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17514"}],"version-history":[{"count":73,"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/thurston\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/17514\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":25221,"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/thurston\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/17514\/revisions\/25221"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/thurston\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/18151"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/thurston\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17514"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/thurston\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17514"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/thurston\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17514"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}