Yard and Garden

Horticulture Helpline

Call (262) 548-7779 Tuesday mornings from 9:00 am to noon and speak with a trained volunteer regarding plant, plant bug, or soil questions at no charge. Or email your questions with photos anytime to uwex1@waukeshacounty.gov. Helpline telephone hours are generally mid-April through mid-October. Emails are checked year round at least once per week.

In Person Plant Diagnosis

For those plant problems that can’t be diagnosed by email, we offer in person diagnostic services at our office. Bring your plant sample or plant insect pest to the Extension Waukesha County office during regular business hours (between 8:00 am to 4:15 pm). Our Horticulture staff will diagnose samples as availability permits.

There is a $5 charge for this service. Please bring cash or a check as we do not accept credit card payments.

You may print the Horticulture Diagnostic Form, fill it out and bring it with you; or fill it out when you come into the office with your sample. Extension Waukesha County is located in the Administration Center of the Waukesha County Courthouse Complex, 515 W Moreland Boulevard, Waukesha. Enter through the main Courthouse doors. After going through security, take the corridor on the left to the the Administration Center. Take the elevators or stairs to the ground floor and go to room G22.

Soil Testing

Having soil problems? Have your soil tested by the UW Soil and Forage Lab in Madison. For fee and submission information, go to https://uwlab.soils.wisc.edu/soil-samples/lawn-garden/. For help interpreting your results, send an email with your questions and the results to our Horticulture Helpline at uwex1@waukeshacounty.gov.

Yard and Garden Resources

• Wisconsin Horticulture Extension
• Extension Horticulture Publications

UW-Madison Diagnostic Resources

• UW-Madison Insect Diagnostic Lab (home insect pests)
• UW Plant Disease Diagnostic Clinic (plant disease diagnosis requiring laboratory testing)
• UW Turf Disease Diagnostic Clinic (grass disease, insect and care)
• UW Soil and Forage Lab (soil testing for lawns and gardens)

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