Gardening Help Desk
The Master Gardener Diagnostic Desk
(385)468-4828 | mastergardener@usu.edu
Our diagnostic clinic hours will begin again on April 4, 2023. Each Tuesday and Thursday from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm Master Gardener Volunteers will be available to help walk-ins, take your calls, and respond to voicemail messages. Phone calls to our main number will be sent to the hotline number: (385)468-4828 where you may leave a voicemail message.
Email questions will be answered within 3-5 business days. Please attach photos which are high resolution and very clear. Close-ups as well as shots of an entire plant or garden from a distance are very helpful.
Specimens may continue to be dropped off during regular business hours 8AM - 5PM, Mon-Fri and we will do initial analysis and/or identification of your plant or insect problem. All specimens should be bagged or in a sealed container. Turf specimens should be about 4" deep X 4" long X 4" wide and have living, green plants included. Please wait for 2 days after a rain or irrigation before digging the specimen (we cannot do much with muddy soil).Tree/shrub specimens should be limited to 12-inch pieces with living portions attached.
Soil testing: We do not do laboratory tests at the Salt Lake County Extension Office. We can make observational assessments and look for pests with microscopes if necessary. For complete analysis, soil samples need to be delivered to the USU Analytical Laboratories in Logan. We do carry zipper bags, shipping boxes and submission forms for the public at no charge. Many of your soil questions may be answered by referring to the lab website: https://www.usu.edu/analytical-laboratories/
If preferred, for a small fee, you may send specimens to the Utah Plant Pest and Disease Laboratories in Logan. Please see the links at the bottom of this page for more information.
Email us at mastergardener@usu.edu and those questions will be answered within 5 business days.
For all other questions please email mastergardener@usu.edu.
We will be opening the diagnostic clinic again in April of 2023. Check back here for updates.
USU Extension office:
Salt Lake County Government Center
2001 South State Street #S1-300
Salt Lake City, UT 84190