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One-Day Plant Clinics Hosted by University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners

Is there a problem with your garden? Are insects and weeds 'bugging' you? You have questions, we have answers! University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners will be available at several local libraries this summer to help you with those gardening questions. The Master Gardeners will help you answer questions as well as identify disease, insect and weed problems. Bring your questions and plant, weed or insect samples, if you have them. Samples should be enclosed in a plastic bag or container. Samples need to be fresh to obtain a good diagnosis.

The Plant Clinics will be held at the following locations and dates:

Wed, June 3 at Wauconda Library (Wauconda)

Tues., June 9 at Ela Area Library (Lake Zurich)

Thurs, June 18 at North Chicago Library (North Chicago)

Thurs, June 25 at Warren Newport Library (Gurnee)

Tues, June 30 at Antioch Library (Antioch)

Wed, July 8 at Zion-Benton Library (Zion)

Wed, July 15 at Grayslake Library (Grayslake)

Wed, July 22 at Lake Villa Library (Lake Villa)

Mon, July 27 at Fremont Library (Mundelein)

Thurs, Aug 13 at North Chicago Library (North Chicago)

Thurs, Aug 20 at Ela Area Library (Lake Zurich)

Wed, Aug 26 at Wauconda Library (Wauconda)

Thurs, Sept 3 at Warren Newport Library (Gurnee)

Wed, Sept 9 at Zion-Benton Library (Zion)

Tues, Sept 15 at Antioch Library (Antioch)

Wed, Sept 23 at Grayslake Library (Grayslake)

At all locations, the Plant Clinic is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Come anytime during those hours to have your garden questions answered.

The Plant Clinics are staffed by University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners from the Lake County office located at 100 S. Highway 45 in Grayslake. Master Gardeners can be contacted at the Lake County office from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday (847) 223-8627

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What Is the Master Gardener Program?

The Master Gardener program is a volunteer group sanctioned by the Land Grant universities in all 50 states. In Illinois, the program is administered by University of Illinois Extension. The program trains adult volunteers to provide research-based information to home gardeners. This is done through a variety of educational activities.

How to Join the Master Gardener Program

In Lake County, the training program is held every other year (in even numbered years). Interested adults can obtain an application from the coordinator of the program, Sharon Yiesla. Applications are available in the September preceding the training year. Applications should be returned by mid-October and all applicants are invited to informal interviews. The training class is selected in mid-November.

The training consists of 12 sessions. The sessions are held one day a week from mid-January through late March or early April. Each session runs from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Instructors are University of Illinois Extension Educators.

To become certified as a University of Illinois Extension Master Gardener, an individual must complete the class, pass the final and serve 60 hours of volunteer time during the year in which training is completed.

Master Gardeners Are Active in Lake County

Master Gardeners serve the community through a number of different volunteer activities. These include:

Information Service: Volunteers involved in the information service provide education for the general public by assisting them with gardening questions. There are two main ways that volunteers assist with this program:

Phone Service (Extension office): Volunteers work out of the volunteer office located in the Lake County office of University of Illinois Extension in Grayslake. Individuals with questions can contact the Master Gardeners by phone or may stop in to talk directly to the Master Gardener. From April through October, the Master Gardeners are available Monday-Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. November through March, their hours are Mondays, 9:00 a.m. to noon and Thursdays, noon to 3:00 p.m.

Libraries: Each year, a limited number of Master Gardner information booths are set up in local libraries during the summer months. Gardeners can stop and talk with the Master Gardeners. No phone calls are taken at these sites.

Speaker's Bureau: Through the Speaker's Bureau, Master Gardeners present talks to local garden clubs and other interested groups. All presentations are scheduled by the horticulturist.

Therapeutic Horticulture: Master Gardeners work on projects adapted for audiences with special needs and interests. Over the past several years, the Master Gardeners have worked with the residents of several nursing homes, facilities for individuals with disabilities and a school for youth at risk.

Youth Projects: Master Gardeners assist with 4-H or other youth events such as judging/recording at the County Fair, 4-H Beautification project, and preparation of educational materials.

Demonstration Gardens: There are small demonstration gardens located at the Extension office. Master Gardeners have participated in the planning and maintenance of these gardens. In 2001 a garden committee was formed to expand and improve the demonstration gardens. One goal of the committee is to improve the educational value of the gardens.