With gardening season and warmer temperatures now here, Iowa State University Extension has some resources to help ensure a healthy growing season and protect your garden.

Greene County Extension Director Lori Mannel says ISU Extension offers a Horticulture Hotline, which is a free service. Staff members can answer questions regarding gardens, lawns or landscaping. It is available Monday through Friday from 10am to noon and from 1 to 4:30pm. The number is 515-294-3108.

Another resource is a plant and insect diagnostic clinic at the main ISU Extension campus in Ames. Mannel says they not only tell you about the types of plants you have on your property but also the types of insects.

“What they do is they identify insects or related anthropods. They’ll give you some general information about the insects. Sometimes an individual will want to know, ‘How do I kill it?’ If it’s in their home or if it’s a good kind of pest. They ask that you collect about 6-12 insects (and) the individual will mail it to Iowa State University.”

Mannel adds, there is a $10 processing fee after the insect or plant is identified. For more information, go to clinic.ipm.iastate.edu or call 515-294-0581.