Plant Health

Something in your garden or home bugging you? Do your roses have strange spots? Is something eating your tomatoes? The Merced Master Gardeners are here to help! Contact our Helpline to get answers to your garden challenges and pest problems. Send an email to anrmgmerced@ucanr.edu.

The application process for the UC Master Gardeners of Merced County's 2026 Training Class will open in fall 2025. Any Merced County adult resident with an interest in horticulture (plants, lawns, trees, vegetables and more) and public service are encouraged to apply for the Master Gardener Program.

Send us an email anrmgmerced@ucanr.edu Visit our information booth at the Merced Farmer's Market on the first and third of most Saturdays from 8-11am (March- October). Attend one of our monthly community workshops. Click here to view the event calendar. Subscribe to our public newsletter.

Master Gardeners are trained educational outreach volunteers with the University of California Cooperative Extension program; they provide practical scientific horticulture and gardening information to gardeners in their communities across California.

We are here to answer your questions and address needs. We are picking up messages several times per day. Phone: 209-223-6838 Email: mgamador@ucanr.edu On-line: Ask a Master Gardener Please check back for updated information.

Gardening extremes occur when unexpected weather conditions challenge plant growth and survival. Frost, heat, floods, wind, and drought are all environmental changes that can result in plant injury. Plant damage can be sudden and severe or it may occur over time.

Frost injures plants by causing ice crystals to form in plant cells. This makes water unavailable to plant tissues and disrupts the movement of fluids. Frost-damaged leaves appear water-soaked, shrivel, and turn dark brown or black.

Wilted, drooping leaves are signs of heat stress in plants. Photo credit: Pikist.com Plants are sensitive to both air and soil surface temperatures. Temperatures ranging from 60 to 85F are optimum for plant growth and development.