Beginning in early May, members of the Fairfax County Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners host Plant Clinics. These Plant Clinics are held at various Libraries and Farmers Markets. The Master Gardeners at these Plant Clinics are happy to help you with plant and insect identification (both common and scientific names). They can also help by answering gardening questions, diagnose pest or disease problems and provide recommendations to prevent or control further damage. The information, provided free of cost, by Master Gardeners is unbiased, research-based and environmentally sound.
In addition, Fairfax County Master Gardeners provide you with handouts on various plants and shrubs; pruning and lawn care calendars; and soil test kits that you mail to Virginia Tech. for in-depth analysis and recommendations. For the $7.00 fee, the soil test is an invaluable and money-saving gardening tool.