The UC Master Gardeners of Sonoma County Information Help Desk offers home gardeners customized advice about their garden problems. Our volunteer staff promotes sustainable gardening practices supported by research-based information from the University of California and other academic or government institutions.
Our Information Help Desk volunteers have access to:
- an extensive library,
- UCCE Advisors,
- university internet sites, and
- a stereoscope for identifying and researching home gardening problems.
How to contact the Information Help Desk
You can contact us by email, phone, or an in-person visit:
- email us at: mgsonoma@ucdavis.edu
- Phone: (707)565-2608
- In person visit and sample drop off location are located at: University of California Cooperative Extension office in Santa Rosa, 133 Aviation Blvd, Suite 109
To provide a diagnosis and give advice on what to do about a problem, we need as much information as you are able to provide. If possible, bring samples of the plant that show the problem, or samples of insects you think may be involved and that need identification, to the information desk.
Bring in samples to help us identify your garden problem
- Plant specimens should be fresh and submitted in sealed plastic bags. Include leaves, stems, roots, flowers and fruits when possible.
- Insects that are submitted for identification should be alive (if possible) and in plastic bags or jars with secure lids.
If you cannot get to our office when it is open, please leave your sample, labeled with your name and contact information, in the drop-box in front of the office. Please fill out the gold-colored form with your contact information and information about the sample. Be sure to fill out both sides of the form.
Send us an email with your questions:
If you are unable to drop off samples, please send an email with detailed information about the problem and provide clear photos if possible. Email us at mgsonoma@ucdavis.edu
Please provide us with as much helpful information as possible about your plant problem. If you email us, include this information in your email. It is also helpful to include photos of the plant problem in your email.
Some questions to consider to help us better understand your garden problem:
- How extensive is the problem? (On one type of plant or several? In one location or all over the garden?)
- What kind of plants are affected?
- If you don't know either the botanical or common name of the plant, give a detailed description. Is it a tree? a shrub? a flowering perennial or annual?
- Approximately how old is the plant?
- How much of the plant is affected?
- If there are other plants of the same type near it, do they have the same problem?
- Did the problem appear suddenly or has it been developing slowly?
- Is this a new problem or has it occurred before?
- Are insects present that seem to be associated with the problem, and if so, what do they look like?
- What part of the county do you live in?
- What kind of sun exposure does the plant get? (sun? afternoon shade? partial shade? shade?)
- What fertilizers, pesticides, or other chemicals have been used around the plant?