By Becker County Master Gardeners

Special to the Forum

With summer upon us, so come the many questions about trees, shrubs, home gardens and lawns. To help answer your questions and provide helpful ideas, the Becker County Extension Service features Plant and Pest/and Gardening Clinics every Monday (starting May 2 through September) and Friday (June-August) from 9 a.m. to noon at the Extension Office.  

The Gardening Clinics are possible because of the volunteer help of several experienced Master Gardeners. Master Gardeners participate in approximately 50 hours of intensive training on home horticulture topics from the University of Minnesota and North Dakota State University.  

In return, they donate volunteer time back to their home county, working on community projects, teaching educational programs, conducting gardening clinics or answering questions they may receive in home communities.

You are invited to stop by the clinics with questions and problems. For easier identification of your plant pest or disease or gardening problem here are some guidelines.

Bring in a sample of the diseased part of the plant at least 6 “ longer than diseased part in a plastic bag.

For weed identification, bring in whole plant, including roots in a plastic bag.

If possible, bring insect pest with sample of plant material found on, in plastic or glass jar.

Grass samples – cut out a 10” circle with 1” of soil including affected and non-affected area in a box.

Our Master Gardeners will provide helpful solutions and ideas to your questions. If unable to answer your questions, the Master Gardeners are only a phone call away from the University of Minnesota horticulturist/Dial U Clinic for additional help. 

There is no charge, so plan to take advantage of the Plant and Pest Gardening Clinics. The Becker County Extension Office is located at 1120 8th St. SE Detroit Lakes, 218-846-7328 (Ext. 7105).