The Garden Hotline is a free service offered through the Penn State Extension to assist Allegheny County residents with gardening questions and concerns. Phone: 412-482-3476 Email: alleghenymg@psu.edu
Master Gardeners answer questions on a variety of topics including growing vegetables, fruits, ornamentals and turfgrass, plant identification, pruning, and insect and disease problems. Master Gardeners encourage the use of integrated pest management and environmentally sound practices.
To help with identification and diagnosis, plant and insect specimens may be brought to the extension office in the Energy Innovation Center on Bedford Avenue during office hours. For identification, select fresh plant samples with intact parts including flowers, if present. For diagnosis, bring a live sample that shows both healthy and unhealthy growth. Enclose live insect specimens and infested plants in an airtight container. If you cannot keep the insect alive, place it in a jar with rubbing alcohol or freeze it for several days to preserve the specimen. Digital photos for plant or insect identification can also be emailed to the office.
Information on submitting soil samples to the are found at Ag Analytical Lab or copy into your search bar: https://agsci.psu.edu/aasl/soil-testing
When mailing soil to the lab, we highly recommend having the package weighed at the post office as a parcel and attaching the postage.
Spring/Summer Hours
April 1 to September 30
Mondays and Wednesdays from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Master Gardeners also answer emails on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Winter Hours
October 1 to March 31
During winter months, Master Gardeners return email on Wednesdays. Emails received during December will be answered in January due to the holidays.
December - Garden Hotline is closed.
Contact Us
Phone: 412-482-3476
Email: alleghenymg@psu.edu
In Person: Bring your questions into the office.
Penn State Center Pittsburgh
1435 Bedford Avenue - Suite A
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Parking
Free visitor parking is available at our office.
