The Extension Plant Health Advising Help Desk is open for in-person consultations with Plant Heath Advisors from 1-3:30 PM, Tuesdays and Fridays at the Boerner Botanical Gardens. The Plant Health Advising Help Desk connects gardeners with free research-based answers to lawn and garden questions. In-person consultations allow clients to bring in a plant or insect sample for identification. While we are happy to identify yard and garden pests, please note that we are not able to identify bed bugs or other pests found on someone’s body.

“Our Master Gardener Volunteers who help us with Plant Heath Advising are excited about returning in-person to assist the community with their lawn and garden questions,” says Vijai Pandian, Extension Horticulture Educator. “Opening for in-person consultations allows us to accept plant and insect samples that often have more information than photos alone.”

The Plant Health Advising Help Desk is located in the Horticulture Center on the lower level of the Education and Visitor Center at Boerner Botanical Gardens (9400 Boerner Dr, Hales Corners, WI, 53120). The lower level is accessible by elevator and free parking includes accessible parking stalls.

The Plant Health Advising Help Desk will still be accessible 24/7 through voicemail and e-mail for those unable to come during in-person office hours. Master Gardener Volunteers are assisting the Horticulture Educator Vijai Pandian in answering inquiries Monday through Saturday. To reach the Horticulture Helpline gardeners can call or text (608)-298-6945 and leave a message or email planthealth.advisors@extension.wisc.edu. Photos of the plants or lawn in question are encouraged and can be attached to an email that describes the issues being experienced.

For more about the Horticulture Helpline: go.wisc.edu/planthealthadvising