The Master Gardeners of Ottawa-Carleton are a group of trained volunteers who provide unbiased horticultural advice and expertise to home gardeners. We encourage good gardening practices for people with ornamental and/or vegetable gardens. Our group operates within the organization of Master Gardeners of Ontario Inc. (MGOI). See our Events link to find out about upcoming Master Gardener clinics, seminars, and appearances.You can also book a Master Gardener to give a presentation at your organization or club. We can tailor our talk to your needs. For information on lectures see Contact Us page.   The Master Gardener program is active in Canada (BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario and Atlantic region) and many states in the US. Experienced and interested gardeners complete the required educational program and agree to provide volunteer time each year to assist home gardeners, through helplines, advice clinics, lectures and articles. Happy Gardening!     Gardening Question? Call or email our helpline! A Master Gardener will respond to questions that pertain to gardening in Eastern Ontario and Western Quebec (zones 4a to 5b). Call 613-236-0034 on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 1 pm to 3 pm to talk to a Master Gardener or e-mail us your question (pictures can be attached). A Master Gardener will respond to your  e-mail within 48 hours.  mgoc_helpline@yahoo.ca _______________________________________ Emerald Ash Borer?       This metallic-green bug arrived in Ottawa last year. It is a highly destructive insect that attacks and kills ash trees. Native to Asia, it first appeared in the Windsor-Detroit area in 2002. The adults feed on the ash leaves but the larvae do the real damage. After hatching they bore holes in the bark attacking the living wood or cambium layer just beneath the bark. They leave behind S-shaped tunnels know as “serpentine galleries”. Once the cambium layer is destroyed the tree cannot deliver water or nutrients to the roots, leaves and branches.  Within a year or two the tree dies. For more information see http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/plaveg/pestrava/agrpla/agrplae.shtml  _______________________________________