If you have a gardening problem, ask the Montgomery County Master Gardeners for help.
The expert green thumbs will answer questions about gardens and help identify mystery plants or pests during their annual plant exchange from 9 a.m. to noon Oct. 2 at the Montgomery County 4-H Fairgrounds.
Participants without a plant to bring are welcome to make a donation and take a plant. All donations will benefit the garden at Nicholson Elementary School.
Master gardeners, who are certified through Purdue University, are often asked about pruning trees, plant diseases and pest problems.
Some of the most common garden pests are aphids, which attaches to plants and suck out the sap, and squash bugs, which are commonly found in squash and pumpkins,
Following a dry August, gardeners should keep their plants well watered and mulched to retain moisture, said master gardener Andria Grady.
The fall is an ideal time for planting spring bulbs and shrubs, dividing plants and cleaning up the garden bed.
“Make sure it’s ready for a happy winter,” Grady said.
To become a master gardener, participants attend a series of weekly classes and complete a training course to become an intern. At least 40 additional hours of volunteer work is required to be certified.
For more information, visit purdue.edu/hla/sites/master-gardener.
