Home Lawn & Garden Information

Our Fact Sheets are written primarily for the industry professional, but many of the concepts and techniques presented are useful to the home lawn enthusiast as well.

The University of Massachusetts Soil and Plant Tissue Testing Laboratory is located on the campus of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Testing services are available to all. The function of the Soil and Plant Tissue Testing Laboratory is to provide test results and recommendations that lead to the wise and economical use of soils and soil amendments. For additional information not outlined on this page, call the UMass Soil and Plant Tissue Testing Lab at (413) 545-2311.

Accurate diagnosis for a turf or landscape problem can often eliminate or reduce the need for pesticide use. The UMass Extension Plant Diagnostic Lab is available to serve commercial landscape contractors, turf managers, arborists, nurseries and other green industry professionals. It provides woody plant and turf disease analysis, woody plant and turf insect identification, turfgrass identification, weed identification, and offers a report of pest management strategies that are research based, economically sound and environmentally appropriate for the situation.

Each year, the University of Massachusetts Extension Agriculture and Landscape Program typically offers a seminar series for backyard gardeners. In the tradition of the Mass Aggie Seminars, the workshops are planned and presented by UMass Extension Educators and UMass Amherst faculty. A broad and diverse range of topics often cover specifics within several areas including tree fruit, berries, vegetables, flowers, herbs, and livestock management. Proceeds from these programs partially support the research and outreach efforts conducted by UMass Extension for farmers and agribusinesses in Massachusetts.

Hort Notes: For landscapers, grounds managers and other green industry professionals. Hort Notes is published monthly year round (12 issues). Alerts green industry professionals to emerging landscape insect and disease problems while providing timely Integrated Pest Management strategies. Emphasizes timely plant health care practices and problem-solving information. A calendar of events is included. Call or email for a sample. Cost is $20 per year. Visit link above or contact Ellen Weeks at (413) 545-0895; eweeks@umext.umass.edu

Garden Clippings: This newsletter for home gardeners is published monthly March through October with tips of the month and other information on growing fruit, vegetables, lawns, and ornamental trees, shrubs and perennials. A one-year subscription of eight issues is $10 per year. Also available for distribution by garden centers and landscapers to thieir customers by purchasing at a bulk rate (minimum order 25 copies/issue). Call or email for a sample. Cost is $10 per year. Visit link above or contact Ellen Weeks at (413) 545-0895; eweeks@umext.umass.edu

(413) 298-5355
Mondays, 9:00 AM to noon, May 1 through October 1. Questions taken via voice mail and e-mail year round.

E-mail: wmmga10@yahoo.com
See also on the web: http://wmassmastergardeners.org

Wellesley, MA, (617) 933-4929
Phone consultations from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM. Help line is available on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday April through October; Wednesday and Friday in March and November; Wednesdays only December through February.

E-mail: hortline@masshort.org
See also on the web: http://www.massmastergardeners.org

(401) 874-4836 (outside Rhode Island)
(800) 448-1011 (inside Rhode Island)
March through October, Mon. - Thur. 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM

E-mail: gardener@etal.uri.edu

(508) 375-6700
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
May - Sept: Mon. - Fri.
April & Oct: Mon./Wed./Fri.
Feb, March & Nov: Tue./Thur.
Dec. & Jan: Closed

Jamaica Plain, MA, (617) 384-5235
year-round, Mon. 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Boylston, MA, (508) 869-6111 x 10
year-round, Wed. 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
walk-ins are accepted during hotline hours, garden admission will be charged.

Boston, MA
1-800-222-1222 (Emergencies)
1-800-682-9211 ( Toxicologist Consultation)

"Wildlife" section of the web site includes information about nuisance wildlife and a listing of licensed control agents.
e-mail: mass.wildlife@state.ma.us

Lincoln, MA, (781) 259-9506 x 7416
year-round, Mon. - Fri. 9am - 5pm