Horticulture

Horticulture Highlights

Yard and Garden Questions (Horticulture Helpline) 262-548-7779

• A free phone service for callers to speak with a trained Master Gardener volunteer regarding plant, bug or soil questions. Our telephone hours for the Horticulture Helpline are Tuesday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon. Winter hours are limited. You can also e-mail questions to uwex1@waukeshacounty.gov – include a phone number where you can be reached between the hours of 9 a.m. to noon and allow 7 days for a response before e-mailing again.

Soil Testing

• Having soil problems? Print the form below or stop at the UW-Extension office and pick up the form. Soil Samples must be mailed to the UW Soils Laboratory in Verona WI for diagnostics.
• Soil Testing Information (PDF)
• Lawn & Garden Soil Submission Form (PDF)
• Instructions for Submitting Soil Samples (PDF)

Soil Testing Forms are available at:

Waukesha County U.W. Extension
515 W Moreland Blvd, Rm AC G22
Waukesha, WI 53188-3869
Fax: 262-548-7787
Office Hours: M-F, 8 am – 4:30 pm

Master Gardener Volunteer Program

• Looking for information about becoming a Master Gardener Volunteer? Take a look at the Southeast Wisconsin Master Gardener Volunteer site by clicking here: Southeast Wisconsin Master Gardener Volunteer.
• Read more about Master Gardeners:
  Gardners Keeping History Alive Sowing the Seeds of Knowledge

Diagnosing Plant Problems

Let UW Extension Horiculture Educators identify your outdoor and indoor plant samples and indoor plant insects! Bring your plant sample or indoor plant insect to the UW Extenstion office during regular business hours of 8 am and 4:30 pm. This service is available to the general public.

• To be sure that you have a “good sample” please call the Horticulture Helpline (262-548-7779) between 9 am and noon (Tuesday through Thursday) for details. You can also e-mail questions to uwex1@waukeshacounty.gov – include a phone number where you can be reached.
• Diagnostics take up to 7 days and there is a $4 charge per sample.
• Plant Identification (1 page, 9 KB)
• Horticulture Diagnostic Services Flyer (2 page, 71 KB)

Links of Interest

• UW – Department of Entomology Insect Diagnostic Lab
• UW – Extension Horticultural Publications
• UW – Landscape Plants of the Upper Midwest
• UW – Urban Horticulture
• UWEX – Wisconsin Native Plant Sources
• Southeast Wisconsin Master Gardener Program
• American Community Gardening Association
• FEEDS – Food and Ecosystem Educational Demonostration Sites

Horticulture staff are located at:Waukesha County U.W. Extension
515 W Moreland Blvd, Room AC-G22
Waukesha, WI 53188-3869
Fax: 262-548-7787
Office Hours: M-F, 8 am – 4:30 pm