Garden Hotline

Garden Hotline Email: MifflinMG@psu.edu

The Garden Hotline is a free service offered through the Penn State Extension to help residents address gardening questions and concerns. Master Gardener volunteers encourage the use of integrated pest management and environmentally sound practices, and are trained to answer a variety of questions about gardening topics specific to our local climate, including:

• common plant problems, diseases, and solutions
• when to plant vegetables outdoors
• which native plants will thrive in your space
• how to identify pollinator-friendly plants
• lawn/turf care, and more.

For best results, please email a detailed description of your plant concern or question and include two or three high quality photos if possible. You can also call our office to receive a return call from one of our Master Gardener volunteers.

Soil Tests

Soil fertility testing is often recommended by Penn State Extension Master Gardeners as a first step toward healthy plant growth. Read "Don't Guess…Soil Test," to find out what our soil fertility tests measure (and what they don't), instructions on how to take a good soil sample, pricing, timing, helpful links, and more.

There are two ways to get a Penn State Extension soil fertility test:

1. Mailing kits can be purchased at our office during regular business hours. For best service, please call the office before stopping by.
2. Soil fertility test forms, pricing, and instructions can be viewed and printed from the comfort of your home or office. If you choose this method, you will supply your own mailing bags and mail your payment directly to the lab along with your soil sample. 

After submitting your soil sample, the lab will forward a fertility report within about two weeks that includes a chemical analysis of your soil along with recommendations for soil improvement specific to your crops. For faster results, please be sure to include your email.

Plant Pathology & Entomology Identification Services

Penn State Extension Master Gardener volunteers are trained to guide you through more complex plant disease and insect-related questions as well, using trusted resources like the Penn State Plant Disease Clinic and the Penn State Entomology Department to find answers quickly and efficiently. For best results, please begin by emailing the Master Gardeners.  If you are instructed to bring a plant or insect specimen to our office for identification or diagnosis, please can follow these guidelines:

• Call ahead to verify that someone will be there to receive your specimen
• 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 alcohol or freeze it for several days to preserve the specimen.

Garden Hotline Hours

March-October
Tuesdays 10:00am until Noon

Contact

MifflinMG@psu.edu

717-248-9618
Penn State Extension Mifflin County
Regional Business Center, Suite 100
152 E. Market St.
Lewistown, PA 17044