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Morris County residents are invited to submit lawn and garden inquiries to the Rutgers Master Gardener Helpline. Submissions will be evaluated by a trained volunteer and a science-based response will be provided.
Rutgers Master Gardener volunteers are trained to diagnose common plant and pest problems, suggest appropriate practices and advise as to the best care for the home landscape and garden.
- Send us your question via email at: rcehelpline@co.morris.nj.us or submit via our online form.
- Photos: It is helpful to submit photos with your inquiry. Photos should be in focus and taken from different angles, including close ups of the problem area and farther back to show the entire plant and its environment. Objects in the photos (e.g., ruler, coin, person) can give a sense of scale.
- Call us: 973-285-8305
Helpline hours of operation (April thru October) are:
Monday through Friday 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Tuesday and Thursday 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
*November thru March, voicemails and emails are addressed weekly. - Walk-in: Plant samples may be dropped off Monday – Friday between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., directly to the Morris County Offices at County Building 550 West Hanover Avenue, Morristown, NJ.
*Plant or insect samples should be placed in a sealed container such as a jar or plastic zip-top bag.
Note: We offer soil test kits for purchase at the Morris County office (check or cash only). Or you can submit your sample directly to the Rutgers Soil Testing Lab where you can pay by credit card.
Information related to fruit trees, garden and household pests, lawn care and landscaping, vegetable gardening and small fruits, and more are available at Rutgers Extension: Home, Lawn & Garden. A searchable database of available Rutgers Fact Sheets and Bulletins can be found at the NJAES Publications website.
To get the most accurate diagnosis, prepare to answer the following questions before you call:
Plant Problems
- What is the reason you need a diagnosis?
- If known, what is name of plant; if not known what type (tree, shrub, perennial)?
- Does the plant produce flowers or fruit?
- Where is the plant located? Is the location sunny or shady, wet or dry?
- How long has the plant been in its current location?
- What chemicals or fertilizers have been used? Is mulch used?
- Inspect entire plant for symptoms. Problems can be more complex then they first appear.
- When did symptoms first appear?
Insect Pests
- Are pests just a nuisance or are they causing harm to people or property?
- Where is highest concentration of pests?
- When did the pest first appear?
- Describe the pest (size, wings, number of legs, color, etc.)