MSU Extension Master Gardener (EMG) volunteers contribute to many local projects but also support statewide public education efforts with the Consumer Horticulture Team. Two key resources available to the public are the MSU Extension Lawn & Garden Hotline and the Ask Extension website.
Promoting these tools at all MSU EMG volunteer projects and outreach events is highly encouraged. Our team has bookmarks available to help spread the word—contact your local educator to request some for your event.
While volunteers may be able to answer general gardening questions on the spot, the most accurate and expert responses come through the Hotline and Ask Extension. These services route inquiries to MSU Extension staff with subject-specific expertise.
Ask Extension: Ask Extension offers one-to-one answers from MSU Extension experts and EMG volunteers on topics related to gardens such as flowers, trees/shrubs, lawns, vegetables/fruit, insects and plant pest issues. Questions on many other topics such as nutrition and physical activity, food safety, food preservation, natural resources, community development, and youth programming can also be submitted to this service.
MSU Lawn and Garden Hotline: Call 1-888-678-3464 Monday, Wednesday, or Friday between 9am and noon. This service offers gardening advice over the phone.
MSU Plant and Pest Diagnostics is another valuable resource to share with the public. For a small fee, this lab will evaluate physical samples, provide accurate diagnoses or identifications, and offer effective control recommendations. It is a good resource for clients who have a disease that may be lethal (New research puts oak wilt testing within reach of homeowners); although anyone planning to treat plant problems can benefit from the precise diagnosis and recommendation.
Soil health is a key factor in successful gardening. For clients who have never done a soil test, MSU EMGs can promote this opportunity at outreach and educational events to raise awareness. Individuals can contact their local MSU Extension county office (most offices carry them) or order kits online through the MSU Bookstore.
- These Smart Soils Tipsheets can be brought to events to promote soil health and soil testing.
- Learn more about soil testing.
Soil tests for residents are recommended every three years; and more than one test may be needed for distinctly different garden settings. Refer additional soil questions to Ask Extension.
Gardening in Michigan is the main website of the MSU Extension Consumer Horticulture Team and is a great resource for MSU EMGs to direct the public to. It has many public resources, upcoming events and newsletters they can sign up for. MSU EMGs can also direct people to the Gardening in Michigan Facebook and Gardening in Michigan Instagram sites for regular social media updates on garden concerns and upcoming MSU Extension events.
Foundations of Gardening MSU EMG volunteers can promote our MSU Extension Consumer Horticulture main educational course, Foundations of Gardening (FOG). Since it is open to both the public and those interested in applying to the MSU Extension Master Gardener volunteer program, it is a great opportunity for anyone who has an interest in research-based gardening techniques. Our Consumer Horticulture Team has marketing items to promote FOG including postcards. MSU EMGs can reach out to their local MSU EMG staff to find out how to get postcards and other marketing items to promote at local outreach events, project sites and online.
MSU Campus Visit: If you’re planning some public outreach, MSU campus is a great place to bring participants – whether a youth or adult event. These locations are open to the public. For more information on how to integrate these areas into a public outreach event, reach out to us at MSUE.MG@msu.edu.
- MSU Horticulture Gardens The MSU Horticulture Gardens, located on the Michigan State University campus, serve as a living laboratory for education, research, and public enjoyment. With over 14 acres of diverse gardens, they showcase annuals, perennials, native plants, and themed landscapes. These gardens also support community outreach and volunteer efforts, including those of MSU Extension Master Gardeners.
- J Beal Botanical Garden The Beal Botanical Garden is a 5-acre living laboratory established in 1873 which showcases over 1,800 plant taxa in several collections. Free and open daily.
- MSU Herbarium The MSU Herbarium houses over 540,000 preserved plant specimens from around the world, with a focus on the Great Lakes region. It supports research, education, and biodiversity conservation by providing valuable historical and current botanical data. The Outreach tab on this webpage includes resources for working with youth.
Michigan Natural Features Inventory The Michigan Natural Features Inventory (MNFI) collects, analyzes, and shares information on Michigan's rare species, natural communities, and conservation priorities. It supports land use planning and biodiversity protection through scientific data and field-based research. This site could be useful for projects that involve pollinators and native plants.
MSU Enviroweather The MSU Enviroweather system is a free, publicly accessible online platform that delivers localized, historical, and forecasted weather data from over 100 automated stations across Michigan—designed to support pest, disease, crop, and natural resource management through weather-based models and decision tools. EMGs can share this tool with the public to teach IPM for more sustainable gardening.
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