AlleghenyMG@psu.edu

The Garden Hotline is a free service offered through the Penn State Extension to assist Allegheny County residents with gardening questions and concerns. Phone: 412-482-3476Email: alleghenymg@psu.edu

Phone: 412-482-3476

Email:

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 emails throughout the week and phone messages on Wednesdays. 

December - Garden Hotline is closed.

Emails received during December will be answered in January due to the holidays.

Contact Us

Phone: 412-482-3476

Email:

In Person: Bring your questions into the office.

Penn State Center Pittsburgh

1435 Bedford Avenue - Suite A

Pittsburgh, PA 15219

Parking

Visitors may find parking in our lot, but paid street parking and a nearby event lot is also available near our office. 

Public transit

Bus 83 service to Bedford Ave.