Help Desk

Have a home gardening question? Ask the UC San Joaquin Master Gardeners! Our Help Desk is staffed Monday-Thursday 9 a.m.-Noon.

Options:

Visit us during Help Desk hours at 2102 E Earhart Ave, Ste 200 Stockton, 95206. Click here for a map
Call us at (209) 953-6112. If you call outside Help Desk hours, please leave both your phone number and email address so that we may respond to you in a timely manner.
Email us at anrmgsanjoaquin@ucanr.edu. Please use email if you want to submit photos along with your question(s).

Please include the following information in your email:

Your name, phone number and city (very important!).
A description of the problem, including name of the plant if applicable, when the problem began, and cultural history such as watering, fertilizing, pruning, pesticides, etc.
Photographs of the problem, if possible and appropriate.

Bringing samples to the Master Gardener Office

For plant samples brought into the office:
The sample should be freshly acquired and just packaged in clear freezer bag--not put in a bag, left to mold for a week, and then brought in. Store in the refrigerator until you are able to bring it in.

A good size sample is required, showing leaves, bark, stem and flower, if applicable.

Try to have a section of "good" plant as well as the problem.

Write the name of the plant (if known) as well as your contact information on the bag.

For insect samples:
Do not tape an insect to a piece of paper. We can not identify insects that have been smashed, are missing body parts or that are incomplete. The best way to preserve insects in in alcohol. A container or jar with the insect inside will also work.

We regret we are unable to provide home visits or direct gardening assistance to individuals. Also, if you are not a San Joaquin County resident, please visit the statewide Master Gardener web site to locate the web site for your county's program.