Master gardeners share plant advice in Gurnee

Amateur gardeners and others with questions about what's growing in their backyard had the chances to seek advice from experts Thursday at Warren-Newport Public Library in Gurnee.

Master gardeners from the University of Illinois Extension were on hand to answer questions from people who were encouraged to bring a fresh plant, weed or insect samples in plastic bags or containers to discuss what problems they might be having and to how to find a solution.

"Gardening is becoming a much larger pursuit than it used to be because people want to eat healthy. They want to grow their own vegetables," said Master Gardener Mary Price of Libertyville.

The program is offered at all the area libraries through out the year, as well as various farmers markets in Lake County.

The University of Illinois Extension also has someone at its Grayslake facility every day to offer free advice.

"They told me not to worry," said Susan Skarbalus of Wadsworth, who wandered by their station while making a visit to the library.

Skarbalus bought a plant that she liked and was surprised to find a potato in the roots after digging it up.

The master gardeners told her it was variety of sweet potato. Skarbalus just liked the way the leaves hung when she bought the plant.

Master gardeners go through 72 hours of training and agree to do at least 60 hours of volunteer work per year back at the University of Illinois Extension in Grayslake.

To find out more about becoming a master gardener and the University of Illinois Extension, visit http://web.extension.illinois.edu/lm/lakemg/