Call the master gardeners with your gardening questions

When I have gardening questions and need a quick answer I turn to the Master Gardeners "Hort lines."  Master Gardeners volunteer their time in both Linn and Johnson counties to offer Hort lines for people stumped by problems in gardening, lawn care, landscaping, trees, shrubs, fruits,vegetables, insect,weed and pest control, soil questions and more. 

Linn County is on its summer hours, with calls taken from 9 a.m. to noon and 1-4 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to noon Fridays. Summer hours run through mid-October. Calls are taken at (319) 447-0647.

In Johnson County, the Hort Line is available every  Monday and Thursday from 9:00-11:00 a.m. and can be reached by calling the Johnson County Extension Office at (319) 337-2145.  At other times, you may  call  and leave a message for the Master Gardeners and they will return your call.  

 Email questions are also accepted by contacting Kathy Beierschmitt, Johnson County Extension, at

kbeiers@iastate.edu   Please include your phone number and other contact information in the email so materials can be mailed and you can be contacted should the Master Gardeners have further questions.   The Hort Line is a public service available to area residents who have questions on horticulture topics.