Even though most gardens are taking their winter nap, Johnson County Extension Master Gardeners and the Extension Service’s Garden Hotline are still wide awake and ready to help!

The hotline availability hours into February were extended to Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (Closed Dec. 15-Jan. 9.)

Have a garden question? Master Gardener volunteers can help with:

• Winterizing lawns, trees and perennials
• Managing pests and diseases through cold weather
• Starting seeds and planning spring gardens
• Soil testing and composting over winter
• Choosing plants suited for Kansas conditions

Call 913-715-7050, email garden.help@jocogov.org or stop by the Extension Office in the Sunset Drive Office Building, 11811 South Sunset Drive, Olathe.

The Master Gardener Program, which celebrated its 45th year in 2025, involves gardening volunteers trained through the Extension Office. In return for their designation and intensive education, master gardeners are required to spend a certain number of volunteer hours on projects in the county of their choosing, including staffing the hotline.

The program continually seeks volunteers with interests in horticulture and gardening. If they are accepted and meet the required classes and volunteer requirements, anyone can become a master gardener. More information is available by calling 913-715-7000.