At the diagnostic clinic, Master Gardeners can:

• Identify plants and weeds.
• Diagnose common insect, disease or plant problems.
• Explain how to control pests and weeds with little to no chemical use.
• Discuss your lawn, tree, flower, vegetable and pest problems.

Hours

May
Wednesday and Saturdays, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

June and July
Wednesdays, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. and 6-8 p.m.
Saturdays. 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

August
Wednesdays 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. and 6-8 p.m.
Saturdays. 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

September
Wednesdays and Saturdays, 11 a.m. 1 pm.

Location

University of Minnesota Extension Building (The Barn), 2020 White Bear Ave, Maplewood, MN 55109

Bringing samples

• Collect your sample on the day you come to the clinic to keep it fresh.
• Fleshy plant parts (bulbs, fruits and roots): wrap plants in paper towels to absorb leaks.
• Flowers and vegetables: Bring the entire plan with the roots and surrounding soil. Enclose the roots in a plastic bag and keep the soil from touching the leaves. Bring enough plants to show all stages of the symptoms. Note the pattern of symptoms over the whole garden.
• Foliar disease: Bring enough plants to show all stages of the disease from healthy to sick. Note the overall pattern on the plant (i.e. are all the leaves affected or just the lower branches?).
• Grass samples: Grass samples must be a minimum of 6"x6" sections with the roots intact. Include sick grass, grass on the edge of the sick area and healthy grass.
• Woody trees and shrubs: Collect branch samples that show the range of symptoms but are not dead.
• Insect samples: Bring several specimens if possible. Include plant sample showing insect damage. Preserve soft-bodied speciments in rubbing alcohol.

Master Gardeners staff free seasonal information booths at the following locations and times:

• Aldrich Arena Farmers Market: Wednesdays, 8 a.m. - noon, May - October
• Hmong International Market: Saturdays, summer
• Little Canada Farmers Market: Monday afternoons
• New Brighton Farmers Market: Wednesdays, 3-7 p.m., bi-monthly from June 27 - October 3
• Roseville Farmers Market: Tuesdays, 8 a.m. - noon, seasonal
• Saint Paul Farmers Market: Saturdays, 8 a.m. - noon, seasonal
• Shoreview Farmers Market: June 14 - September 27, bi-monthly, 3 - 7 p.m.
• St. Thomas More Farmers Market: second and fourth Fridays of summer months, 1:15 - 5 p.m.
• West Side Farmers Market: 10 a.m. - noon, June - October

Request an information booth or class

Master Gardeners teach classes about growing food, planting rain gardens and reducing garden chemicals. Call 651-704-2080 for more information.

Organics Recycling

Organics recycling includes things like food scraps and non-recyclable paper (tissues, paper towels, etc.)

Recycling your organics helps the environment by avoiding methane emissions that contribute to global climate change. It also returns essential nutrients to the soil and improves soil health. 

Collection Site Hours and Locations and more information

Yard Waste

Ramsey County Master Gardeners staff free information booths at county yard waste sites on select dates from April - October.

Ramsey County operates seven yard waste collection sites. All sites are free and open to Ramsey County residents only, a photo ID is required.

State law prohibits leaves, grass clippings, brush and other plant material from being mixed with your trash.

Master Gardener Yard Waste Booth Schedule

Collection Site Hours and Locations and more information