Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster CountyÂ’s Master Gardeners can help you identify that odd looking bug or that interesting plant found on your property! Master Gardeners will now be available to answer questions as well as offer plant and insect identification and soil testing on site for walk-ins only at the Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program field office located at 6375 State Highway Route 28 in Phoenicia, every third Tuesday of the month beginning September 15, 2009 from 9:00am to 12:00noon.
Master Gardeners are a great community resource for identifying those odd plants and pesky insects. The cost is $5 per plant or insect identification and $1 for each additional sample. Insect samples should be placed in a sealed container with rubbing alcohol. Also available are Soil pH Tests for $3 per sample and $1 for each additional sample. One cup soil samples should be dry and in a sealed bag. For a complete Soil Nutrient Analysis Test, sample bags are available for $15 each. These samples are sent to a soil lab in Ithaca, NY to be analyzed. Results will be mailed to you within 7-10 business days.
Phone calls will still be answered through the Horticulture Hotline any Monday, Wednesday or Friday from 9:00am to 12:00noon through October at 845-340-DIRT (3478) and insect, plant and soil samples can still be brought to Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster CountyÂ’s Master Gardener office located at 10 Westbrook Lane in Kingston for identification during the hours mentioned above.