Ask A Master Gardener

Have gardening questions? We’ve got you covered! Our expert volunteers offer reliable advice based on solid research. We won’t give you untested or risky solutions. If we don’t have an answer, we’ll find one for you. Just be patient and we’ll make sure you get the best solution for your query.

Throughout the summer our Ask A Master Gardener volunteers are at several farmers markets on a weekly or monthly basis. We also have an Ask A Master Gardener booth during the Washington County Fair.

Request A Master Gardener

Our volunteers have had “pop-up” booths at various locations including:

• Sally Manzara Nature Center, Lake Elmo
• Landscape Revival, Lake Elmo
• “Caring for Creation” event, St. Andrews Church, Mahtomedi
• Oakdale Discovery Center
• Valley Creek Mall, Woodbury
• Hardwood Creek Library, Forest Lake
• Greater Stillwater Chamber of Commerce events
• Washington County Fair, Baytown township
• Market at the Ravine, Cottage Grove
• Carpenter Nature Center, southern Washington County

Summer 2024, weekly or monthly markets

Bayport Farmer’s Market

Forest Lake, Arts in the Park

Where: Lakeside Memorial Park, Forest Lake, booth #6

When: Tuesdays, 5 – 8:30 pm

Dates:  Weekly: June 4 through Aug. 27

Scandia Farmer’s Market

Where:  Scandia Community Center Parking Lot, 14727 209th St N, Scandia

When: Wednesdays, 2:30- 6:30 pm

Dates: Monthly: May 8, May 15, July 10, Aug. 14

Woodbury Farmers Market

Where: Red Rock Elementary School 3311 Commonwealth Ave, Woodbury

When: Sundays, 8:30 to noon

Dates: Weekly: June – September excluding Aug. 25 and holiday weekends.

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Plant & insect sample collection tips

Yes, when it’s possible we would like to see an actual plant or insect sample to help provide you with the best solutions. Or, take a photo of the problem: take a close-up photo of the problem area, then a larger photo of the entire plant or garden segment. Also note the sun, soil and moisture conditions if known and length of time you’ve noted the problem.

• Fleshy plant parts (bulbs, fruits and roots): wrap plants in paper towels to absorb leaks and enclose in a plastic bag.
• Flowers and vegetables: Bring the entire plant with the roots and surrounding soil. Enclose the roots in a plastic bag and keep the soil from touching the leaves.
• Foliar/Leaf disease: Bring enough plants to show all stages of the disease from healthy to sick. Note the overall pattern on the plant (i.e. are all the leaves affected or just the lower branches?).
• Grass samples: Grass samples should be a minimum of 6″x6″ sections with the roots intact. Include sick grass, grass on the edge of the sick area and healthy grass.
• Woody trees and shrubs: Collect branch samples that show the range of symptoms but are not dead.
• Insects: Collect one or several (up to 10) individuals of the similar type, undamaged if possible.  Crushed specimens may be identifiable to a general type of insect, but not always to species – but if a specimen is already squashed, include all the fragments as they may help with the ID.

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