Knowing that plant pests and diseases are feared words in the horticultural world but it is something that we MUST talk about. Unwanted issues do happen even to the most pest and disease-resistant plants and with new invasives arriving, it is best to have a plan of action for when something looks funny (not funny HA HA but funny UH OH) in your landscape.
It has been a long-standing practice at Gardens ALIVE Design to suggest plants from Great Plant Picks as they are grown in test gardens in our area and are touted as being pest and disease resistant. But when the needles fall off, the leaves begin to curl or the cankers form you need to act fast with a diagnosis and treatment plan! Gardens ALIVE Design has always been an advocate for the wonderful assistance offered by the Master Gardeners of King County
The Master Gardeners of King County have a wonderful reputation at their Diagnostic Clinic to you as a homeowner in King County with correct diagnosis and even more. At their clinics, they also offer the ability to answer your gardening questions, turf management concerns and can submit your disease diagnosis questions. “Master Gardener volunteers in these plant clinics will recommend research-based information about gardening and environmental stewardship . . . in a sustainable manner.” Find a plant clinic here.
Or if email is preferred they offer ‘Ask a Master Gardener’ as a year-round service.
Finally, use these handy links to prepare your sample, ID an insect or plant, correct turf issues and diagnose a plant disease.
