With summer just around the corner, gardens are starting to show their true colors; both good and bad. Washington State University Master Gardeners can help save you money with both scenarios.

The “good” garden may inspire you to create more planting areas or a vegetable bed. Master gardeners can advise you on the right plant for the right place, proper soil preparation, fertilizing and composting. This will help guarantee a successful investment in your project.

The “bad” garden may show signs of winter kill, bug infestation and/or disease. Before spending money on new plants or expensive herbicides and pesticides, bring a fresh sample of the problem to your local master gardener clinic. They can help properly identify the issue and advise a proper solution.

Challenging plant samples will be sent to the WSU Plant Diagnostic Center at the Center for Urban Horticulture in Seattle. Buying the right treatment for the problem saves money, plants, and beneficial insects.

All this information and assistance is free to the public at any Master Gardener Clinic. WSU Master Gardeners are available the first Saturday each month at the Maple Valley Farmer’s Market at Rock Creek Elementary School.

There is also a clinic every second and fourth Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Johnson’s Do It Center located at Four Corners in Maple Valley.

Covington Creek Nursery will be hosting Master Gardeners on July 18-19.