PHOTO BY GINNY COUNSIL Sawflies are pictured on Mugo Pine in this photo taken at Master Gardener Ginny Counsil’s home.

MILL HALL — Warmer weather is on the way, and with it comes new growth in our gardens–along with the return of insects and the potential for plant diseases. While we all hope for trouble-free gardening, issues can arise. That’s when the Penn State Extension Master Gardeners of Clinton County can help.

Our mission is to support Penn State Extension by providing unbiased, research-based horticultural information to the community. One of the many ways we do that is through our Garden Hotline.

Whether you grow vegetables, flowers, herbs, or fruit trees, our trained Master Gardeners can help you troubleshoot problems, answer questions, and identify insects or plant issues. You can reach us at:

— 570-858-0198

— ClintonMG@psu.edu

Gardeners are also welcome to bring plant or insect samples directly to our office. When submitting a sample, please wrap plant material in newspaper or a paper bag–plastic bags can trap moisture and cause additional damage to the specimen. In many cases, Master Gardeners may request clear, close-up photos by email to help with identification.

After we receive your call, email, or voicemail, the volunteer on duty will follow up with additional questions to better understand your concern. According to Ginny Counsil, Master Gardener Coordinator, hotline inquiries range from common tomato questions to more complex issues involving apple trees and insect damage.

Although most inquiries occur during the growing season, help is available year-round. Our hotline is monitored throughout the off-season by co-chairs Lucy Cramer and Laura Sprout, who ensure that your gardening questions are answered promptly.

Penn State Extension has a resource available to community members. TILVA is Penn State Extension’s College of Agricultural Science new AI-powered assistant that uses trusted, science-based information to access anywhere, 24/7. Ask TILVA a gardening question and TILVA will give you an answer in a matter of moments. This is a great resource for the home gardener and provides verified Penn State Extension content, approved external sources, modern generative AI models, and continuous educator review. So go ahead and give TILVA a try. Ask TILVA a question or submit a photo at: extension.psu.edu/ask-tilva

No matter the season, the Master Gardeners are here to support you and help your garden thrive.

Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. If you are unable to utilize the application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.