Garden Help-Line and Current Issues

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Diagnostic Services

Rock County UW-Extension offers research-based information to assist and educate the public in their gardening endeavors. Our services include assistance with plant identification, disease and insect identifcation, and soil testing.

Human and household pest problems and concerns should be directed to the Rock County Environmental Health Department, (608) 757-5441.

Services Provided

Plant Identification

What we need: If possible, submit the entire plant (especially for weeds), the roots may be important for identification. For trees and shrubs-- a branch with leaves attached. Flowers and fruits are also helpful in identification. Submit sample in a plastic bag, do NOT water. Wrap turf in foil, do NOT water.

Disease Identification

What we need: For herbaceous plants, submit the entire plant that has symptoms. For woody plants, submit the branch that has symptoms (living and dead parts). Submit sample in a plastic bag, do NOT add water. In some cases, and with your permission, it is necessary to forward samples to the diagnostic laboratories (UW-Madison). There will be a $15 to $25 charge. You will be invoiced for this service. Useful links UW - Plant Disease and Diagnostic Clinic UW- Turf Diagnostic Lab

Insect Identification

What we need: If possible, submit the insect specimen, preferably alive. Bring in a small jar or plastic container so it does not get squashed. Detail the location it was found. Useful links UW - Department of Entomology Insect Diagnostic Lab

Soil Testing

What you get: Analysis of current nutrient content of your soil (P,K). Current soil pH. Recommendation of type and amount of fertilizer to add. Allow 2-3 weeks for return of results. What we need: 2 cups of air dry soil. Samples should contain soil from surface to 6 inches deep. Take soil from 3 or 5 places in area to be tested, mix together and submit 2 cups of mixture in clean plastic bag. When to sample: Can be done anytime the soil is not frozen. Best done before you apply fertilizer. What is the cost? Cost is $15 per sample, payable cash or check at time of sample submission (checks made payable to UW Soil Lab) Useful links UW - Soil and Plant Analysis Laboratory USDA Web Soil Survey

Reports from the Horticulture Helpline: 2009

For the week of June 1	For the week of June 8	For the week of June 15	For the week of June 22
How do I know if my trees have Emerald Ash Borer? Venturia leaf spot (PDF) See anthracnose factsheet for control recommendations. Red bumps on maple (PDF) Oak tatters reported in some areas of the county. Eastern tent caterpillar in cherries. Rock County gardeners should be busy this weekend. Woodpecker damage (PDF)	Scale on trees Colorado potato beetle (PDF) and flea beetles (PDF) in the veggie garden. Gypsy moth information Grape phylloxera More questions about red bumps on maple (PDF)	Issues this week: elm leafminer, roseslug sawfly, powdery mildew, mushrooms in the garden. Tomato problems most likely due to cold soils.	FINALLY it gets warm. 90 degree weather forecasted for this week. Grow tomatoes, grow! Roadside chicory bloom coincides with Japanese beetle adult emergence.
For the week of June 29
Construction damage on trees Possible verticillium wilt infection on sumac. Apple scab

2008 Issues (archive)