Schumacher Library

Need help with plant identification? Use iNaturalist or Pl@ntNet to identify plants at home or those you have seen in the garden.

For answers to your gardening questions, use these online resources:

• Contact the Dane County Extension Horticulture Helpline, staffed by Master Gardeners, by phone or email regarding home garden questions.

• Use the UW Horticulture Ask a Question Form to ask general gardening questions or upload photos for plant identification.

• The University of Wisconsin-Extension Learning Store provides information about trees, shrubs, vegetables, flowers, landscaping, insects, and plant diseases. All publications are free to view, download, and print for personal use.

• Check out our Gardening Resources page for an ever growing repository of Olbrich's gardening know-how.

Have a plant sample to show someone? Walk-in services are available at the Wisconsin State Herbarium. The UW Department of Botany also assists with identification of unknown plant specimens via email or in-person. You can drop off plant specimens for identification weekdays from 7:45 am - 4:30 pm. Appointments are not required but are encouraged.

Have a question about plant diseases or pest infestations? Explore the online resources of the University of Wisconsin Extension Plant Disease Diagnostics Clinic, or contact the clinic directly at (608) 262-2863 or bdh@plantpath.wisc.edu.

For help with identification of insects, insect-damaged materials, spiders, and other arthropods found in Wisconsin, contact the UW Insect Diagnostic Lab, or email the Wisconsin Bug Guy, UW-Madison Insect Diagnostic Lab Director PJ Liesch at pliesch@wisc.edu.

For testing of soil, forage, manure, lime, and plants, send samples to the UW Soil and Forage Analysis Lab or contact them at (608) 262-4364 or soil-lab@mailplus.wisc.edu.

To get assistance with turf health issues, including lawn disease and dead grass, contact the UW Turfgrass Diagnostic Lab (TDL) at (608) 845-2535 or hockemeyer@wisc.edu.