Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator
Do you wonder why your tomato plants have so many yellow leaves or how to deal with those pesky bugs eating your roses? If so, University of Illinois Extension is here to help answer all your gardening questions.
For almost 30 years, Master Gardeners have answered home garden questions through their Garden HelpLine located in Peoria. Staffed every weekday morning throughout the growing season, they answer hundreds of homeowner garden questions each year.
We have nearly 200 Master Gardeners serving the Fulton-Mason-Peoria-Tazewell County Extension Unit. They receive training and regular updates in topics ranging from vegetable gardening to trees to fruits, soils, flowers, plant disease, insect lawn care, and more. To remain active in the program, they must volunteer at least 30 hours of volunteer service to their community and receive at least ten hours of continuing education annually.
During the 2015 growing season, our four county offices documented direct responses to over 800 homeowner gardening questions. In addition, Master Gardeners answer many more questions through sponsored events, community presentations, and direct contacts with friends and family.
The Master Gardener HelpLine operators have many diagnostic tools to help them answer your gardening questions. Tools include reference materials, a microscope, digital camera, and access to Horticulture Educators and Specialists in Illinois.
Help-Line Coordinator Patricia Middleton reported receiving more questions by email in 2015. "We are servicing more and more inquiries by email, many of which contain photos of the plant problem," says Middleton. "The most asked questions revolved around trees and shrubs and the second most popular subject was fruits and vegetables." "Already in 2016, we've received many calls on the brown marmorated stink bug, Emerald Ash Borer, and bedbugs."
Providing answers to homeowner yard and garden questions is a longtime Extension benefit that endures. Master Gardener volunteers and Extension staff are armed and ready to "Help Others Learn to Grow." Talk to me or a Master Gardener on the Master Gardener HelpLine at 309-685-3140309-685-3140 ext. 13 Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. or email us at uiemg-peoria@illinois.edu. You can also post questions to my ILRiverHort Facebook, twitter, and Instagram Pages.
MEET THE AUTHOR
As horticulture educator, Rhonda Ferree inspired citizens in local communities to grow their own food and improve their home landscapes. She focused on high quality, impactful programs that taught homeowners how to create energy-efficient landscapes using sustainable practices that increase property values and help the environment.
After 30 years with University of Illinois Extension, Rhonda retired in 2018. She continues to share her passion for horticulture related topics as “Retro Rhonda” on social media.
ABOUT THE BLOG
ILRiverHort is a blog that helps people connect to nature and grow.