Local volunteers serving their communities

Master Gardeners are more than just gardening enthusiasts. They are trained horticultural experts who give back to their communities through service projects and delivery of educational programs. Learn more about this volunteer opportunity in your county:

Join us for upcoming events near you

2026 Lake County Seed Expo
2026 McHenry County Seed Expo
2026 Plant Sale

Ask A Master Gardener

Have questions about gardening? We can help.

The Master Gardener Help Desk is a community service that Master Gardener programs provide across the nation. Our Master Gardener Help Desks are open year-round in Lake and McHenry counties.

To reach a Master Gardener, individuals can call or stop by a local Extension office during Help Desk hours, or complete the online forms. Volunteers will assess your question and reply with research-based answers.

Throughout the year, trained volunteers field questions from community members on trees, shrubs, lawns, flowers, vegetables, and other plant-related topics. In 2024, across both counties, Master Gardeners and Master Naturalists answered more than 4,255 help requests and logged 26,707 hours through service projects in our communities.

Lake County Help Desk

Hours: