The Penn State Extension Garden and Watershed Hotline is staffed by Master Gardeners, several of which are also trained as Master Watershed Stewards. We can answer horticultural-related questions on a variety of topics including growing vegetables, fruits, ornamental and turf grass, plant identification, pruning, and insect and disease problems. We can also address watershed-related questions and concerns about streams, ponds, wetlands, native plants, backyard conservation, climate change, and much more. Please see our contact information below. We're here year-round to help! This is a free service for Bucks County residents.
Flower with bug damage and insect. Penn State ImageRelay.
Garden & Watershed Hotline Info
The Penn State Extension Bucks County Master Gardener/Master Watershed Steward Hotline volunteers monitor emails and voicemails Monday through Friday and will respond to voicemails and emails as quickly as possible, usually within 24 hours. Walk-in hours vary so please call ahead to make sure that someone will be in the office or to make an appointment for an in-person meeting with a Hotline volunteer. (Any in-person consultation will be held at our Bucks County Office, 576 Penns Park Road in Newtown.)
We respond to questions in the order received, in a timely fashion.
Here's how you can reach us:
Phone: 267-483-2022 - Please leave a detailed voicemail with your question or concern, along with your contact information and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.
Email: bucksmg@psu.edu - send a detailed email with your question or concern, and up to three digital photos that may help us understand the problem or question better.
Plant Problem Diagnosis
These are the types of questions we're likely to ask about your plant problem. You don't need to know all the answers. Our friendly Master Gardeners and Master Watershed Stewards are here to guide and help you.
The "Patient"
- Species? Symptoms? Age? Previous occurrence?
- Percentage of plant affected? Percentage of all plants affected?
- Pattern of damage?
Site Considerations:
- Soil type? Compass direction? Sun/shade? Wet / dry? Windy / sheltered?
- Buildings / obstructions? Utilities / septic?
- Road spray / pollution/ winter salt treatment?
Human Influence:
- Construction nearby? Have you treated?
- Watering? Planting? Spacing? Pruning?
- Mulching? Influences from neighboring properties?
Biotic Factors:
- Evidence of insects? Evidence of disease?
- Evidence of rodents, mammals, birds, pets?
Watershed & Backyard Conservation Questions
Master Watershed Stewards volunteers are trained by Penn State to help the residents of Bucks County with watershed questions and concerns. This includes streams, ponds, wetlands, native plants, backyard conservation, climate change, and much more.
Call or email the Master Watershed Stewards to:
-help identify your local watershed
-provide solutions for managing aquatic plants in a pond
-help you build/maintain a rain barrel
-help you build a rain garden
-help you keep your streamside healthy
-provide unbiased, research-based information for just about any other water-related topic.
Through education, environmental monitoring, invasive plant removal, habitat restoration, and storm water management projects, the Master Watershed Stewards can also provide hands-on solutions for many watershed related problems.
