Ask a Master Gardener
Use one or more of these ways to get help and/or advice with your garden.
- Phone the Master Gardener Hotline (530) 666 8737,
- E-mail your to: mgyolo@ucdavis.edu,
- Samples can be dropped off at 2780 E. Gibson Road. A Master Gardener will evaluate them and get back to you. Master Gardener office hours will resume Tuesday mornings on February 3, 2025.
- Visit us at a local Farmer's Markets (See locations and times below)
- We also support a help desk at Lowe's, 2250 Lake Washington Blvd in West Sacramento, on the first and third Saturdays between 10:00 AM and Noon.
Please help us help you!
When you contact us by telephone or email, please include as much related information as you can, such as:
- What type of plant is it (if you know)?
- How old is the plant?
- How much sun and water does the plant receive?
- How long has the problem gone on?
- Please describe insects you see on the plant or leaf damage.
When possible, please email photos:
- Showing the affected portion of the plant, including the underside of leaves.
- Of insects you see.
VISIT US IN PERSON
To avoid spreading an undesirable insect or other problem, please bring your plant or insect samples in a sealed plastic bag.
- Bring us a sample of your sick plant - a small branch with a number of leaves.
- Bring a sample of a healthy portion of the plant if available.
- Provide details of the problem. (when did you first start seeing the issue, what did you see, etc.?)
NOTE: Please bring plant samples and bugs in sealed containers that can be left for identification.
First Street across Woodland Public Library
Saturdays from 9:00 am-noon,
May through September
Central Park in Davis at 4th and C Streets--near the Central Park Gardens, between the Rose and Sensory Gardens.
Saturdays
March - October: 8:00 am to 11:00 am
November, December, and February: 9:00 am to 11:00 am
Closed January
Frequently Asked Questions
Tomato End Rot
Why are my tomatoes getting black at the end of the fruit?
Powdery Mildew
The dwarf crepe myrtle in my backyard has developed a layer of gray dust/fuzz on its new growth. What is it and do I need to do something to rid the tree of it?
Tree Health in Drought Conditions
My family moved to Woodland in August from the water-abundant South-East where we lived for decades. California’s physical environment, climate, and tree and plant care are completely new to us. We want to preserve the many fruit trees (Asian pear, fig, lemon, apple, lime, and pomegranate) currently in our yard and are eager to get started doing the right thing for them. Please advise on what we need to do, and can you also direct us to a certified arborist?
Removing a Lawn for a More Water-wise Garden
We would like to make our landscape more water-wise and are considering removing our lawn, but it seems like such a huge project, we aren’t sure where to begin. Please help!
Planning a water-wise garden
We removed our old lawn and are now ready to plant a water-wise garden. In the planting space we have full sun and part shade areas and have a drip system set-up for adding drip lines. Please give us some ideas of what, where and when to plant.
Raised Vegetable Beds
I plan on using a raised planting bed for my vegetable garden this year, and need advice on what combination of materials I should use to fill it. The bed may be large, possibly up to three feet deep, so please help me with what to use and where to find it.
Crop Rotation
I've heard that you shouldn't put plants from the same family (such as cucumber and squash or tomato and eggplant) in the same spot year after year. Is there evidence for that, and if so, is it loss of nutrients, plant diseases, pests or something else?
Companion Planning
What is companion planting and is there any scientific evidence that demonstrates that it is beneficial?