The horticulture program in Franklin County is staffed by an Extension educator, Jane Martin and a volunteer staff of 120 Master Gardeners. It consists of both a consumer gardening and commercial horticulture program. Our goal in both programs is to extend information from the university to the public in the area of horticulture and its related fields, including agronomy, entomology, and plant pathology, so that gardeners and commercial producers alike can be more efficient in growing plants, and be mindful of environmental stewardship. 

Information is extended via: 

• Garden Information Line (consumer phone line)
• Identification and diagnosis of plants and plant  problems
• Newsletters
• Year-round Columbus Dispatch column 
• OSU fact sheets and bulletins
• Volunteer training classes
• Programs for organized groups, such as garden clubs
• Public programs 
• Gardening classes
• Special events and tours
• Web sites

This line is closed from November through February; please access Ohioline for fact sheet information.

Gardeners may leave a sample for identification or diagnosis at our office, along with an informational form.

Usually, a written response or phone call will be made back to the gardener within five business days.

Cost is $5.00 per sample. Note that we do not have laboratory facilities in our office, so we do a visual analysis only. Sometimes we are unable to arrive at a conclusion and may send gardeners to the Ohio State Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic on the university campus. 

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