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Sarah Fellerer
Master Gardener and Master Naturalist Program Coordinator
University of Illinois Extension
7775-B Illinois Route 47
Yorkville, IL 60560
Phone: 630-553-5823
FAX: 630-553-5871
fellerer@illinois.edu

Kendall County Master Gardeners

Kendall County Master Gardeners

Master Gardener Program

The mission of the Illinois Master Gardener program is: "Helping Others Learn to Grow." Master Gardeners involve people improving the quality of live, and enhancing the economy and environment through horticultural education, applied research and the resources of the University of Illinois.

Master Gardeners are adults, age 18 and up, who love gardening and sharing gardening knowlege with the community. After receiving 60 hours of training, Master Gardeners are required to engage in 60 hours of volunteer work to complete their internship and become certified. Once certified, a Master Gardener provides 30 hours of volunteer work in the community.

Master Gardener Help Desk

Volunteer Master Gardeners are available to answer your gardening questions in the Extension office at various times each week (M-F) during the growing season. Call 630-553-5823 or email uiemg-kendall@illinois.edu

April-September

Monday through Friday

9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m

March & October

Monday, Wednesday & Friday

9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

November-February

On call – Call 630-553-5823 a Master Gardener will return your call.

Collecting Plant Samples

Bring in or email (uiemg-kendall@illinois.edu) photos of the plant. Be sure to include the surrounding environment.

If possible bring in the entire plant if appropriate, especially if it is a vegetable, annual or perennial flower.

Woody plant samples should be as large as practical. Collect samples from areas that are still alive and showing symptoms.

Do not collect dead plants. Often their tissues have been invaded by other fungi and bacteria and the original pathogen is no longer detectable.

Collect several plant specimens showing a range of symptoms. Collect both healthy and damaged plant parts.

Provide as much background and related information as possible. Make note of flooding, shade, environmental changes, pesticides used and fertilizer history. Watch for any observable patterns or uniformity.

It may be necessary to wait until the plant blooms for a botanical identification.

After collecting samples, do not expose them to direct sunlight. Keep them cool and do not allow them to dry out. Weeds tend to wilt quickly, consider placing them between two pieces of moist paper towel and bring them in as soon as possible.