Plant clinics offer wealth of knowledge to gardeners

When you’re facing issues with your garden, from troubled roses to fungus on your fruit trees or even perplexing plant identification, you need not rely on uncertain advice from neighbors or online forums. Visit a WSU Extension Master Gardener Plant Clinic in Anacortes or Burlington for reliable answers and assistance.

The free Master Gardner Clinics offer extensive on-site resources, including a comprehensive library, print materials, access to online resources and microscopes for plant identification and disease diagnosis. The plant clinic volunteers are eager to hear your questions and diagnose plant issues. The questions brought to the clinic also help identify trends throughout the county.

Master gardeners, an arm of the Skagit County WSU Extension office, are not just gardening enthusiasts but often experts in their career endeavors, many representing diverse scientific backgrounds, ranging from bioscience to forestry. They offer a wealth of knowledge, providing free assistance, including plant disease diagnosis, insect identification, gardening advice and resources guidance.

All master gardeners undergo rigorous training rooted in scientific gardening methods based on research from leading agricultural institutions like Washington State University and Oregon State University. The solutions provided are backed by university research, ensuring reliability and safety. And, whenever appropriate, master gardeners will recommend integrated pest management (IMP) techniques to minimize risks and maximize sustainability.

Prepare for your visit by collecting samples relating to your questions, including branches, flowers, fruits or insects. With live samples or detailed photos, the expert team will utilize microscopes, reference materials, and scientific training to diagnose issues and offer effective solutions.

Live samples are preferred, either in a baggie or jar, but the team can also work with suitable photos and, often, verbal descriptions. For plant identification, you should include a small branch and any flowers or fruits. Insect and disease samples should include both healthy and affected tissue/branches. Photos should consist of both close-up and landscape shots. With the information you bring, the plant clinic team will ask questions, use microscopes, and research the on-site comprehensive library of reference materials as well as online materials available through the WSU affiliation.

Visitors to the Anacortes clinic located in the Depot at the Saturday Farmers Market often ask for assistance in identifying local plants and selecting suitable varieties for Fidalgo Island’s unique climate. In addition to the clinics, master gardeners staff information booths at farmers markets in Mount Vernon, Sedro-Woolley and Concrete. Check local directories for dates and hours of operation.

Drawing on science-based training and years of experience diagnosing local home gardening issues, plant clinic master gardeners will track down the source of the problem and offer advice on the least invasive methods to set you on the right course for recovery. For more information on plant clinic locations, days, and hours read the full blog article ­skagitmg.org/­plantclinic-24/.

About the authors

Ginny Bode and Anne Hays are Skagit County WSU Extension Master Gardeners, Class of 2022. Visit the Ask a Master Gardener article archive at extension.wsu.edu/skagit/mg/archive/.

Questions about home gardening or becoming a master gardener? Send mail to Skagit County WSU Extension Office, 11768 Westar Lane, Suite A, Burlington, WA 98233; call 360-428-4270; or visit www.skagit.wsu.edu/mg.