Pictured is a spotted cucumber beetle, native to North America, can cause bacterial wilt on cucurbit vegetables. PHOTO BY GINNY COUNSIL

The warmer weather will soon be upon us, which means that our plants will grow and the insects will be about. Although we would like our plants to grow without worries or concerns, disease and pests can sometimes create problems. That’s where Penn State Extension Master Gardeners of Clinton County can help.

Their mission is to support Penn State Extension in providing unbiased, researched-based information to the horticultural community. This includes the Garden Hotline. Whether you are a vegetable, flower, herb or fruit tree gardener, if you have questions about your garden or need help identifying bugs or insects, you can call the garden hotline for support. The number is 570-858-0198, or email ClintonMG@psu.edu.

Master Gardeners often have clients bring a sample of their plant or insect to the office for Master Gardener volunteers to research and answer. Once they receive your phone call, email or voicemail, the volunteer on duty for that day will contact you to make additional inquiries.

Ginny Counsil, Master Gardener Coordinator, reports that the organization has received general questions about tomatoes and more complex situations with apple trees and insect damage.

Even though most of these calls come in during the growing season, if you have questions during the off-season, the garden hotline is monitored by our two garden hotline co-chairs, Lucy Cramer and Laura Sprout, who will help you with your questions.