Do you have a question about your gardens, backyard compost or home landscape? The University of Vermont Extension Master Gardener Helpline phone opened last week for the gardening season.
The helpline is a free service for all Vermonters. Questions may be submitted to the online form or by calling the helpline phone at 802-656-5421 on Thursdays from 9 a.m. to noon.
Trained extension master gardener volunteers research gardening questions and provide science-based information on a number of topics. At this time of year, common helpline queries include tree pruning, garden installation, composting start-up, and soil testing.
Photo by Debra Heleba
University of Vermont Extension staffer Lisa Chouinard, left, and volunteer Gina Scafa of Burlington are ready by the helpline phone on April 2, the first day it opened for the 2026 gardening season.
Later in the season, the helpline often fields questions on insects and diseases, weed management, jumping worms, lawn care and pollinators, among many others.
Vermonters interested in using the online helpline service should consider uploading up to three clear and in-focus photos of the insects and/or affected plants with their question. Providing an object like a ruler, coin or finger can help volunteers determine the size and scale of the issue. It is also helpful to include a photo of the undersides of leaves, as disease spores and insects may be more easily spotted there.
Helpline users may also upload their soil test results to the online service to receive tailored fertility recommendations.
Both online and phone users should be prepared to describe the issue in detail. Helpful information includes:
• when the issue or damage first appeared
• the conditions at that time
• how long the issue has been going on
• where it is occurring in your garden or landscape
• which parts of the plants have been affected.
The website provides a diagnostic worksheet to guide helpline users as they prepare this information. These details offer valuable clues that extension master gardener volunteers use to identify the issue at hand and recommend appropriate management options.
While extension master gardener volunteers do not provide pesticide recommendations, they do work with clients to offer a range of science- and experience-based Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies to support a safe and sustainable environment.
The online helpline service is open 24/7/365 and the phone service is now open Thursday mornings through Oct. 29.
(Debra Heleba is the statewide outreach and education program manager for the University of Vermont Extension community horticulture program and leads the extension master gardener and Vermont master composter programs.)
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