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Home and Garden Information Center

The Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC) develops and delivers science-based, sustainable gardening and integrated pest management education for better human and environmental health. All residents of Maryland are welcome to send questions to Ask Extension, view our online resources here and on our Maryland Grows blog, or visit a local Master Gardener Program for answers to residential gardening questions.

Find information on

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    Food Gardening

    How to grow your own fruits, herbs, and vegetables in Maryland! Learn all about raised beds, container gardens, and recommended varieties.

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    Insects

    Learn about beneficial insects, insect friendly gardens and how to identify and manage insects indoors and outdoors.

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    Yard & Landscape

    How to grow healthy plants indoors and outdoors in Maryland, how to identify and manage problems while respecting the environment.

Hot topics

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    Native Plant Gardening

    Native plants add beauty to your garden and support native wildlife. Learn about native species, view our lists of recommended plants, and visit Master Gardener Demonstration Gardens to get ideas and tips.

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    Grow Sweet Potatoes

    Sweet potatoes grow rapidly with minimal care and produce edible new shoots and leaves and delicious roots that can be stored through the fall and winter. This is an easy, nutritious, and climate-resilient crop! 

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    June Tips & Tasks

    Pollinator Week is June 19-25! Learn about gardening to support pollinators, keep up with watering newly planted trees and shrubs, plant summer annual flowers like zinnias, sunflowers, marigolds, and cosmos.

Connect with us

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    Ask Extension

    Get answers from our team of Maryland Certified Professional Horticulturists, Extension Faculty, and Master Gardeners.

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    Maryland Grows Blog

    Get timely tips about food gardening, soil improvement, trouble-shooting plant problems, and supporting pollinators in your landscape.

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    HGIC Newsletter

    Subscribe to our quarterly newsletter for helpful and timely gardening tips.

Featured Videos

Sycamore Anthracnose

Pruning Tomato Suckers

Container Gardening

Watch More Videos

PDF 2022 Ask Extension Survey Report
PDF 2022 Home & Garden | Master Gardener Annual Report

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Contact Us

Have a Home Gardening Question? Click the DIRECTIONS link below!

Directions

Hours: Gardening questions and photos can be sent anytime, HGIC's Certified Professional Horticulturists will respond to your questions typically within 48 hours.