Plant Clinic
University of Idaho Extension is working to keep our communities safe. Extension programming for the Idaho Master Gardener Program in Benewah County is being provided virtually or in person. If you do feel ill please consider that most of our master gardener volunteers are retirees and do not come into the office until you are well.
UI Extension's Idaho Master Gardeners of Benewah County is currently open to walk-in clients at our Plant Clinic.
Please see our guidelines below to virtually submit a question or sample to your master gardeners any day of the week.
*Older adults are both a vulnerable population and an abundant group in our program and at many events in which we participate. We also have many volunteers who are considered at risk in other vulnerable populations. We appreciate your understanding and support.
Summer Hours
- April 15-Sept. 30
- Tuesdays 9 a.m. to noon
- Thursdays 1-4 p.m.
Winter Hours
- Oct. 1-April 14
- Call
208-245-2422 or drop off samples at 711 W. Jefferson Avenue, Suite 2; St. Maries, ID 83861.
Sample Submission Guidelines
In order for us to assure accuracy and speed, please follow these guidelines closely.
Please include:
- A full description of your situation, including the variety of the plant, if possible.
- Details about your planting, watering, fertilizing, pesticide use (type of chemicals applied), etc.
- Good physical samples and photographs that show the whole plant (flower, stalk, leaf and root) or insect.
Please read the following before bringing in your sample:
- Plant Clinic Submission Guidelines (PDF)
- Plant Problem Diagnosis (PDF)
- Insect Identification Guidelines (PDF)
- Plant and Weed Identification Guidelines (PDF)
The more info we have, the better detectives we can be. Please expect to fill out a questionnaire related to your request. We will need the entire questionnaire completed in order to answer your questions.
Contacting the Plant Clinic
Our office is staffed by certified volunteers. If we are not available on the day you visit, please know that an Idaho Master Gardener will contact you as soon as possible.
Summer
Our phone lines are very busy during office hours in the summer months. To expedite your answers, we encourage you to leave a message any day of the week with your challenge/question so we may research it in the meantime. A volunteer will return your call as soon as we can.
Winter
No walk-in days are available during the off-season. However, we are available by phone at
Samples may be dropped off to our front desk and we will address them once per week.