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 No matter how many years of experience gardeners
have, there always seem to be new questions and challenges that
arise. University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners from
Fulton, Mason, Peoria, and Tazewell counties are available to help
with home garden and landscape questions.
“Over thirty years ago, Extension Master Gardeners in Peoria County
started a gardening helpline,” explained Ian Goslin, Extension
horticulture coordinator. “Now we have Master Gardeners from
multiple counties volunteer to research and answer all types of
gardening questions, as well as identify plants and insects.”
The local Gardening Helpline volunteers field questions such as
general gardening advice, problems with a specific plant, how to
deal with a pest, the general condition of a lawn, and a variety of
other topics. During the 2020 Shelter-in-Place order, Extension
Master Gardeners (EMG) are receiving the questions via email and
voicemail.
Everyone is welcome to send in questions to uiemg-peoria@illinois.edu.
The email should include the question, along with some background
information about the plant or problem, as well as what plant care
practices the gardener/homeowner has been following and the sender’s
contact information. Depending on the question, good, clear photos
may also be helpful to the EMG who is researching the question.
Including a common item, such as a pen or pencil, in the photo is a
good way for the EMG to have a size reference. [to top of second
column] |
“We are a well-trained source of unbiased, research-based
horticulture information,” Larry Stratton, Extension Master Gardener and
Gardening Helpline project leader. “We are always available year-round and a
free service for the public. This year, since the Extension offices are
currently closed, we are continuing what we call our “limited service,” which is
responding via email and voice mail phone calls to the office. None of our
volunteers are available in person this season.”
“All of our local Extension offices are able to pass on a voice
mail message to the Gardening Helpline volunteers, but the main Helpline phone
number is 309-685-3140,” Goslin stated. “Our website is also available day and
night and is another great resource for horticulture questions.”
https://extension.illinois.edu/fmpt/
horticulture
Illinois Extension provides practical translations of cutting-edge research to
help people, businesses, and communities find answers to some of the most
pressing issues of our modern world. Our work is guided by a desire to create
meaningful progress toward addressing a select group of issues, which we call
grand challenges: community, economy, environment, food, and health.
[Anita Wilkinson
Communications Program Coordinator
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS EXTENSION
Fulton-Mason-Peoria-Tazewell Unit]
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