Horticultural Help Desk
Master Gardeners provide a valuable resource for Fluvanna residents who have specific gardening questions or need help solving problems in their home gardens and lawns. We conduct in person horticultural Help Desk services at the Fluvanna County Public Library from April through October on Tuesday afternoons from 2 to 5 PM. We provide soil tests kits as the first step in determining plant needs. We can look at pictures or the plants to help determine the possible causes of damage. We also answer questions via email. The local Virginia Cooperative Extension office, (434) 591-1950, can get a message to us as well.
We receive a variety of questions, but generally they include What to Plant, When to Plant and Where to Plant.
The Help Desk can also be found at community events such as the Master Gardeners Plant Sale in the spring, the Fluvanna County Fair and various other countywide activities. Dates for these events are posted on our Events Calendar.
If you cannot visit us in person, we welcome your questions here!
Soil Test Kits
Soil tests are performed to evaluate the soil’s nutrient potential and to determine the most beneficial application rates of fertilizer and lime for optimum plant growth. Accurate soil analysis with subsequent recommendations provide a tool for making economical and ecological land use decisions.
Soil test kits available in the Fluvanna Public library entryway.
Instructions for collecting a soil sample are provided with the sample box. More detail instructions can be found on the Virginia Tech publication “Soil Sampling for the Home Gardener”.
A $10 fee is charged for each sample analyzed.
Once your sample is collected, please call the VCE office at 434-591-1950 to arrange a time for drop off of the kit. The office is located at 5725 James Madison Hwy, Fork Union, VA 23055.
Insect Identification
Want to ask an expert about an insect you’ve found?
For the identification of insects and mites, please submit an image to insectidlab@vt.edu.
Please include your name, address, where you found it, and a clear picture.
Virginia Tech will send a reply via your Extension Agent.
Plant Diseases
Virginia Tech is currently recommending electronic images for plant disease questions. You may send photos to us using the Help Desk Contact form. Review the Virginia Tech suggestions for good photos.
If local Master Gardeners or the VCE agent cannot determine the plant disease, you may choose to send a plant sample to the VT Plant Clinic. There is a $35 fee for all plants sent to VT. You must follow the instructions Virginia Tech has provided regarding sample submissions. Failure to follow the Instructions may prevent the Clinic from processing your submission. You will need to contact the VCE office 434-591-1950 to arrange drop off.
Visit Our Gardening Resources Page
We have a Gardening Resources page that has a variety of helpful articles and website links.
Email the Help Desk
Thank you for visiting our website and Happy Gardening!