YORKVILLE, Ill. – Spring marks the annual reopening of the University of Illinois Extension Master Gardener Help Desk in Kendall County. Each growing season, trained volunteers field questions on trees, shrubs, lawns, flowers, vegetables, and other plant-related topics from residents and community members.

“Popular topics this time of year include weather, lawn care, spring blooms, and starting vegetable seeds indoors,” said Program Coordinator Sarah Fellerer. “Master Gardeners can advise on what needs to be done in gardens and yards each part of the growing season, including pruning, dividing, soil sampling, disease control and prevention, project planning, and much more.”

Residents can contact the Kendall County Master Gardener volunteers on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. by calling 630-553-5823, stopping in at 7775B IL Route 47, Yorkville. They also may email uiemg-kendall@illinois.edu. For email guidelines, please visit go.illinois.edu/HelpDeskMGdkk.

Helping others learn to grow

Across DuPage, Kane, and Kendall counties in 2022, Master Gardeners answered more than 1,000 help requests and logged 16,889 hours through service projects in our communities. That time is valued at $523,052, according to the Independent Sector’s value of volunteer time in Illinois. In addition, Master Gardener projects donated more than one ton of fresh produce to local food pantries and other food access sites.

If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this program, please contact our office at 630-553-5823 or email fellerer@illinois.edu. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time for meeting your access needs.