Master Gardeners back at Help Desk in DuPage, Kane, and Kendall Counties
NAPERVILLE / ST. CHARLES / YORKVILLE, Ill. – Spring marks the annual reopening of the University of Illinois Extension Master Gardener Help Desks in DuPage, Kane, and Kendall counties. Each growing season, trained volunteers field community questions on trees, shrubs, lawns, flowers, vegetables, and other plant-related topics.
“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.”
In 2021, this dedicated Master Gardener team answered more than 1,000 help requests and logged 25,366 hours through projects serving local communities. That time is valued at $745,013, according to the Independent Sector’s value of volunteer time in Illinois. In addition, Master Gardener projects donated 19,924 pounds of fresh produce to local food pantries and other food access sites.
To learn more about connecting with a local Master Gardener Help Desk, visit go.illinois.edu/HelpDeskMGdkk. You also may email, call, or visit during office hours:
- DUPAGE COUNTY: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at uiemg-dupage@illinois.edu, 630-955-1123, or 1100 E. Warrenville Road, Suite 170, Naperville 60563
- KANE COUNTY: Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at uiemg-kane@illinois.edu, 630-584-6166, or 535 S. Randall Road, St. Charles 60174
- KENDALL COUNTY: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at uiemg-kendall@illinois.edu, 630-553-5823, or 7775B IL Route 47, Yorkville 60560
SOURCES: Sarah Fellerer, Horticulture Program Coordinator, Illinois Extension
ABOUT EXTENSION: Illinois Extension, the public outreach and engagement arm of the University of Illinois, translates research-based knowledge into actionable insights and strategies that enable Illinois businesses, families, and community leaders to solve problems, adapt to changes and opportunities, make informed decisions, and carry technical advancements forward into practice.