Horticulture Diagnostic Lab

Master Gardener volunteers identify plant and insect samples, diagnose plant samples and perform soil pH testing in our Horticulture Diagnostic Lab.

The CCEDC Horticulture Hotline is open Wednesdays from 9-noon, April through August.  For the months of September and October, the Hotline is open on Thursdays from 9-noon.The Hotline number is 845-677-5067. Reduced hours of operation are due to 2011 county budget cuts and loss of staff. Funding was not restored for 2012. 

Samples for diagnosis may be dropped off at the Dutchess County Farm & Home Center M-F, 8:30 AM- 4 PM. The receptionist will have you fill out a form and collect payment. Diagnosis results will be mailed within 7 days of receipt. Please call our office if you have any questions about submitting samples

• CCEDC Lab Services – fees, how to submit samples. (BAD LINK)
• Horticulture Diagnosis/ID Form – print out, complete and submit with sample. Providing clear photos in addition to the sample(s) is very helpful.
• Soil pH Test Form – print out, complete and submit with sample.

Cornell University Diagnostic Services:

• Cornell University Insect Diagnostic Laboratory
• Cornell University Plant Disease Diagnostic Clinic

Gardening Information:

• Visit the Cornell Gardening Website to learn more about vegetables, fruits, lawns, trees, shrubs, houseplants, soil, composting and pests.
• Pest Management Around the Home- structural and garden pests.
• Websites for Gardeners- many topics, including bees, nuisance wildlife, mushrooms, invasive plants, certified arborists and weed ID. (BAD LINK)
• Subscribe to our Blog- Hudson Valley Garden Scout.

Hot Topics:

• Bedbug FAQs, Bedbugs Travelers Card- Tips on how to check college dorms and hotel rooms for bedbugs. Print and share! (BAD LINK)
• Boxwood Blight
• Brown Marmorated Stink Bug
• Cicada Killer Wasps
• Climate Change Facts (BAD LINK)
• “Composting at Home”:hthttp://ccedutchess.org/images/stories/Ag-Hort_media/docs/climate-earths_changing_climate-v6-final.pdftp:// (BAD LINK)
• Dutchess County Food Pantries and Soup Kitchens- donate extra vegetables from your garden (BAD LINK)
• Early Blight and Septoria Leaf Spot of Tomato (BAD LINK)
• Ecoguidelines- Tips for environmentally friendly gardening (BAD LINK)
• Emerald Ash Borer- DEC, NYS Invasive Species
• Giant Hogweed- ID and reporting procedures
• Late Blight of Tomatoes & Potatoes
• Lily Leaf Beetle (BAD LINK)
• NY State Law Restricts Use of Phosphorus Fertilizer (BAD LINK)
• USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map- UPDATED!

Last updated September 19, 2018