Consumer Horticulture

The MSU Extension Consumer Horticulture team provides Michigan residents with researched-based information to properly manage their home environment (lawns, gardens, landscapes and ornamentals). The Livingston County MSU Extension office assists county residents with utilizing Extension resources for plant disease diagnosis, insect & weed identification, fertilizer recommendations, pest problems, landscape questions, seeding & lawn maintenance, and more! Read on to learn about available resources.

 

Toll-free Lawn & Garden Hotline (888-MSUE4MI)

Your first stop for home gardening and lawn advice!

Contact MSU Extension’s state-wide hotline by dialing 1-888-678-3464 (1-888-MSUE-4MI).

  • Hotline available Mon, Weds, Fri, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. (Press option 1)

 

Take a Soil Sample and Have the Results Interpreted

The first step to growing and maintaining a healthy lawn and garden is getting to know your soil! Soil Test Kit Mailers are available at the MSU Extension office and cost $26.25 (this includes shipping). Each kit contains instructions on how to gather samples. You will receive a 6-character code via email to access and interpret your soil test results (homesoiltest.msu.edu). You can find specific recommendations based on your crop types of interest.

 

"Gardening in Michigan" website

This website (migarden.msu.edu) is full of resources to get you growing this season. Topics covered include lawns, plant selection, soils, vegetables, and pollinators.

 

Smart Gardening Initiative

Become a Smart Gardener by investigating Smart Lawns, Smart Plants, and Smart Soils. Also practice Smart vegetable gardening and Smart gardening to protect pollinators! Stop by our office for hardcopies of numerous tip sheets to help you save time and money while protecting the environment this season.

 

Become a MSU Extension certified Master Gardener

Help people and communities grow! Lend a hand to the MSU Extension Consumer Horticulture team’s effort to get the word out about research-based, environmentally sound gardening practices. Interested individuals get the chance to take a 13-week training course and engage in a community-outreach, horticulture-related volunteer project. To find out about training, visit the state-wide Master Gardener Program website for more information.

Livingston County

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Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status. Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Quentin Tyler, Director, MSU Extension, East Lansing, MI 48824. This information is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned.

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