Gardening Help

Even the most experienced gardeners are faced with a variety of garden issues, problems and challenges. The issues may be relatively minor, such as finding out what is the proper way to prune a rose. Some problems may be quite serious, as when a disease or pest is threatening the survival of an ancient and beloved tree. Still others are simply perplexing, like why you have dead grass "footprints" in your lawn (Did you use a contact herbicide, then walk across your lawn with contaminated shoes? It does happen.).

Where does one turn for gardening help in Grays Harbor and Pacific Counties?

Luckily, help is available. In addition to this website, the Master Gardeners and Washington State University have provided several ways for gardeners to obtain non-biased, research-based answers to their gardening questions:

Plant Clinics

Plant clinics, staffed by trained Master Gardener volunteers, are held in various locations throughout the spring and summer. These free clinics are put on for the benefit of the general public, who are encouraged to come by to discuss their gardening questions and/or problems. Check the MG Special Event Calendar, or visit the Plant Clinics page, for dates and locations.

"Ask A Master Gardener"

If you are unable to attend one of the plant clinics, the Master Gardeners have set up a special email account where you may send in your written questions. This feature is described more fully at the Ask A Master Gardener page.

WSU County Extension Offices

The WSU Extension Offices in Grays Harbor and Pacific Counties can offer gardeners assistance on a number of different subjects, including gardening techniques, youth development programs, horticulture and agriculture, family living, and provide access to expert advice from the professional staff.

• The Pacific County Extension Office is located at the Courthouse Annex, 1216 W. Robert Bush Drive, South Bend, telephone (360)875-9331 or (360)642-9331.
• The Grays Harbor County Extension Office is located at the Grays Harbor County Fairgrounds, Elma, telephone (360) 482-2934.

WSU Internet Resources

WSU has three excellent online sources for gardening information, designed specifically to assist the general public with their home and garden problems:

• Hortsense. WSU Extension. Provides home gardener fact sheets for managing plant problems with IPM, along with information on cultural controls and Washington-registered pesticides. An excellent place to start when dealing with garden problems.
• Pestsense. WSU Extension. Provides home gardener fact sheets for managing common indoor pest problems with IPM, along with information on cultural controls and Washington-registered pesticides.
• Plant Disease and Insect Identification Pests Leaflet Series (PLS). WSU Puyallup Plant & Insect Diagnostic Laboratory. Produces brief PLS "bulletins" on problems frequently received at the laboratory.