By Astrid Cook-Dail, NC State Extension Master Gardener^SM volunteer of Durham County

Many people are familiar with the “Ask a Master Gardener” tents at local Durham events such as the farmers’ markets (both at Durham Central Park and in south Durham)… but did you know you can also ask all the plant questions you can think of from the comfort of your couch?

If you’re looking around your garden and see something curious, you can snap a few photos and email mastergardener@dconc.gov or call the helpline (919-560-0528). If you prefer, you can visit the Durham County Cooperative Extension Master Gardener^SM program office in person at 721 Foster Street, Durham, NC. The helpline and office are both open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Outside the EMGV office at 721 Foster Street (Image credit: Astrid Cook-Dail)

Today, we are going behind-the-scenes at the office in an interview with Tina Falker to share some of the most popular questions asked and some helpful tips for submitting questions to make sure you get the most helpful assistance possible!

Top Questions Asked at the Office & Helpline

1. What’s wrong with this plant?
2. What is this plant?
3. How do I get rid of this plant?
4. What is this insect, and how do I get rid of it?
5. How do I deal with [insert garden critter – deer, rabbits, squirrels, snakes…] ?

Many of these questions aren’t surprising, but the office once received an inquiry asking how to get rid of turkey vultures! Even with the most usual questions, there is always a new angle requiring research.

The magical place where all the questions are answered! (Image credit: Astrid Cook-Dail)

Tomatoes

The most common question for the office in late summer: What’s wrong with my tomato, and what can I do about it?

Of course tomato questions are pouring in right about now, when plants are tired (like all of us) of the unpredictable weather and relentless heat and humidity. So here are just a couple of quick tomato tips:

• Tomatoes drop their blossoms in high heat both during the daytime and when nighttime temperatures don’t cool down. They are a warmth-loving crop but they don’t like it too hot. (More about tomato blossom drop from ACES)
• Unpredictable weather such as extended drought and extreme rain events – both of which our area has seen this year – increase the likelihood of tomato issues to due heightened plant stress.

If you would like more tomato growing advice, we did a whole post about that: Achieving Peak Tomato Performance.

Tips for Submitting Questions

Extension Master Gardener^SM volunteers often play the role of “plant CSI.” It is our job to do some important detective work as we try to help answer your questions as thoroughly and accurately as possible and provide a trustworthy source of research-based information, especially in the AI era. Including the following information with your question helps us help you more quickly:

• Do you know what the plant is? Are you sure? If you’re unsure, tell us what you know about it – whether it’s evergreen (keeps foliage all year) or deciduous (drops leaves usually in autumn or winter), what its flowers look like if it has any, etc.
• What are the growing conditions? How much sun does it get? How much moisture?
• Where is it growing, and how long has it been there?
• Have there been any recent changes to your landscape?
• When did you first notice the problem?

These three photos of Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia) illustrate how different levels of detail in plant photos can help diagnose issues. Photos further away and closer up provide essential context. (Image credit: Matt Lavin; Cathy DeWitt; JC Raulston Arboretum)

Photos are very helpful in assessment. If possible include a landscape shot to give the setting, then a separate photo of the plant itself and a closeup photo of the problem. A photo that shows both healthy and unhealthy portions of the plant can provide key information.

An example of what a plant sample dropped off in-person looks like. (Image credit: Astrid Cook-Dail)

You can also stop by the office and submit a physical sample, but beware that samples of dead, dried up foliage is usually not helpful. Instead, the sample should show the full range of symptoms, including healthy and unhealthy portions.

Reminder: Soil Tests Are Still Free!

You can find soil test boxes and forms (remember to take both!) to pick up and drop off samples here in the blue box outside the office. (Image credit: Astrid Cook-Dail)

Late summer and early fall is a great time to do a soil test, especially if you are looking to plant a fall vegetable garden or decide on cover cropping. (Read more about the importance of soil health in our post: A Better Way to Think About Soil.) Want to pick up a soil test kit, or drop off your soil sample? April through November, boxes and forms for sampling are available in the blue cabinet on the north side of the Durham County Extension Building at 721 Foster St. When complete, your results will be sent to you by email. If you need assistance interpreting your soil test report, we are happy to help with that as well.

Additional Recommendations and Resources

How to submit a sample to the NCSU Plant Disease and Insect Clinic

Edited by Astrid Cook-Dail, NC State Extension Master Gardener^SM volunteer of Durham County