Find Your Local Agriculture Extension Office

Charlotte Weidner | February 14, 2026

Nature Hills Horticultural Staff is always happy to assist you with your gardening questions and challenges. But sometimes, customers pose location-specific questions to us that we are unable to answer. Nature Hills Nursery doesn't always have knowledge of the regional climate and soil conditions.

Because we do not want to pass on incorrect information to you, in situations such as these, we always recommend the customer contact their local Cooperative Extension Office!

The beauty of using your local Extension Office is that you will be able to access accurate information that is pertinent to your location - a great place to start!

What is a Local Cooperative Extension Office?
What Can Your Extension Service Do For You?

Tap Into Extension!

What is a Local Cooperative Extension Office?

The Cooperative Extension System (aka County Extension Office) is a nationwide, non-credit educational network. These offices have experts available to provide locally pertinent, research-based information to farmers, small businesses, and gardeners. Whether you live in a rural area or communities of all sizes.

Started with agricultural clubs and societies in the early 1800s and was officially formed by the Smith-Lever Act in 1914, which expanded the partnership of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) with land-grant Universities. Initially providing farmers a resource for free advice, the CES grew to provide the public with research-based information and non-formal education.

Run by over 100 land-grant Universities and Colleges throughout the US. These publicly funded educational institutions provide research-based information about local soil, gardening and agricultural crops, pests and diseases, and landscaping tips (and so much more)!

The Master Gardener and Master Naturalist volunteers at the Extension Office and expert horticultural staff are also available! Extension Offices even coordinate local 4-H programs and horticulture-related volunteer programs.

The CES also has information booths at public events, and hosts educational events like workshops, webinars, plant clinics, and more!

What Can Your Extension Service Do For You?

Extension services vary state by state and county by county, but they can generally assist with rising to the challenges of:

Adapting to changing technology
Nutrition & Food
Food safety
Emergency prep and resources
Spearheading environmental protection
Gardening and horticulture
Natural resources and management
Composting
Energy conservation
Invasive plants and pests
Identifying pests found in your home or garden
Identifying tree diseases
Identifying the grass and weeds in your lawn & best treatment options
Testing your soil's pH level
Suggesting fertilizers, fertilizer additives (lime, nitrous, etc.) & pre-emergent herbicides
Recommend lawn treatments based on your soil's pH level & application timing
Testing your home's water for contaminants
Recommending plants, vegetables, and flowers
Recommendations for your area based on the climate, soil, and weather patterns
Information on how to properly dispose of insecticides and herbicides

Tapping into your local Extension office to help you anticipate and prevent problems in your area before they become a problem! Providing hotlines where you can call in your specific gardening questions, information online, over the phone, or paper publications and fact sheets about all of the above and more! Virtually any topic that’s relevant to home gardeners in the area!

Perhaps you live in an area that has a tough climate - because of elevation or unusual microclimate that may affect what grows well for you. In your case, the general USDA Plant Hardiness Growing Zones map may not reveal the challenges for your particular area. Use your Extension Office (Agriculture Extension Office) to tap into excellent information that can save you lots of time, frustration, and money from having the benefit of research and history of the area available to you for free.

elder couple on phone looking up extension office

The beauty of contacting your local Extension Office is they will be able to share with you all pertinent information for plants in your local area. They know which species or cultivars work best in the immediate area.

You may be asked to bring in a sample of the insect, soil samples, the diseased plant material, or some photos of the problem to best help the CES help you.

Tap Into Extension!

The National Pesticide Information Center has a full list of local extension offices, broken down by state, then county, or simply search for “extension office near me.” in your internet browser.

Or, click here to find your local extension office.

It’s so easy to obtain pertinent information regarding information that can affect the health of you and your garden by contacting your local Cooperative Extension Office!

As always, Nature Hills is also here to support you on your gardening adventures with helpful #ProPlantTips, an inspiring Garden Blog, and knowledgeable customer service members that are a click away!

Happy Planting!

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Frequently Asked Questions

How can my local agriculture extension office help me grow a better garden?

Your local Cooperative Extension Office connects you with research-based, region-specific guidance on soil conditions, plant selection, pest and disease management, composting, and much more. Because their experts are familiar with your exact growing zone and local climate, they can give you advice that generic gardening resources simply cannot match. Visit the Extension Office website for your county or state to access free resources, attend workshops or plant clinics, and connect with Master Gardener volunteers who can answer your specific gardening questions.

Which vegetables grow best in my region right now, and how do I find out from a local expert?

For region-specific vegetable recommendations, your best resource is your local Cooperative Extension Office, which provides research-based guidance tailored to your exact climate, soil conditions, and growing season. Nature Hills serves gardeners across the entire country, so we aren't always equipped to give accurate advice about what's performing well in your specific area right now. Visit the USDA Extension website or search "cooperative extension office" along with your county and state to find your nearest location, where Master Gardener volunteers and horticultural staff can point you toward the best vegetable varieties and planting windows for your region.

When should I start seeds indoors versus sowing them directly in the ground for my climate?

The best timing for starting seeds indoors versus direct sowing depends heavily on your local last frost date, your specific hardiness zone, and your regional soil conditions, which can vary significantly even within the same state. As a general rule, most warm-season crops like tomatoes and peppers are started indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your last expected frost date, while cool-season crops and root vegetables like carrots and beets perform better when direct sown outdoors. Because we want you to have the most accurate guidance for your specific location, we strongly recommend contacting your local Cooperative Extension Office, where Master Gardener volunteers and horticultural experts can provide research-based planting calendars tailored to your county and climate.

How do I find my USDA hardiness zone and use it to choose plants that will thrive in my area?

Your USDA Plant Hardiness Zone is determined by the average annual extreme minimum temperature in your area, and you can find your zone instantly by entering your zip code at the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov. The US spans zones 1 through 13, with lower numbers indicating colder winters, so a plant rated for zones 4 through 9 will reliably survive winters in any of those zones. When shopping at Nature Hills, use the hardiness zone filter to narrow your selections to plants proven to thrive in your specific zone, and contact your local Cooperative Extension Office for additional guidance on regional soil conditions and microclimates that may affect your choices.

Which soil amendments or fertilizers does my local extension office recommend for my region's soil?

Your local Cooperative Extension Office is the best resource for region-specific soil amendment and fertilizer recommendations, as soil composition and nutrient needs vary significantly by location. They can provide research-based guidance tailored to your county's specific soil type, pH levels, and climate conditions. Many Extension Offices also offer affordable soil testing services that will give you precise data on what your soil needs before you add anything to it. Contact your local Extension Office directly or visit their website to request a soil test and get personalized recommendations for your garden.

Why are my tomato leaves yellowing, curling, or developing spots, and who can help me diagnose the problem?

Yellowing, curling, or spotted tomato leaves can result from a range of causes including nutrient deficiencies, fungal diseases like early blight or septoria leaf spot, pest damage, inconsistent watering, or environmental stress. Because the exact cause often depends on your local soil conditions, climate, and regional pest pressures, a general answer may not point you in the right direction. Contact your local Cooperative Extension Office, where Master Gardener volunteers and horticultural experts can provide research-based diagnosis specific to your area. You can also bring in a sample of the affected leaves for a plant clinic or soil test to get the most accurate treatment plan.

How do I find out what is causing blossom end rot on my tomatoes or peppers and how to fix it?

Blossom end rot on tomatoes and peppers is caused by calcium deficiency in the developing fruit, typically triggered by inconsistent watering, soil pH imbalance, or overly high nitrogen levels rather than a lack of calcium in the soil itself. Maintain consistent soil moisture by watering deeply and regularly, and ensure your soil pH stays between 6.2 and 6.8 so calcium remains available to plant roots. For a diagnosis specific to your soil and local conditions, contact your local Cooperative Extension Office at naturehills.com/pages/find-your-local-agriculture-extension-office, where experts can recommend a soil test and targeted amendments for your region.

Which mulch works best for my local climate, and how deep should I apply it?

The best mulch for your local climate depends on your region, soil type, and what you are growing, which is why this question is difficult to answer with a one-size-fits-all recommendation. Generally speaking, a 2 to 3 inch layer of organic mulch such as shredded hardwood, pine bark, or straw works well in most zones, while areas with heavy rainfall may benefit from coarser materials that allow better drainage. For guidance tailored to your specific location, contact your local Cooperative Extension Office at extension.org, where horticultural experts can recommend the right mulch type, depth, and application timing based on your county's climate and soil conditions.

How do I get help identifying and controlling the pests and diseases most common in my area?

Your local Cooperative Extension Office is the best resource for identifying and controlling pests and diseases specific to your region. These offices are staffed by expert horticulturists and Master Gardener volunteers who can provide research-based guidance tailored to your exact location, soil conditions, and climate. Visit your county's Extension Office website or stop in person to access plant clinics, workshops, and one-on-one consultations that will give you accurate, locally relevant solutions.

Which native plants, perennials, or shrubs does my local extension office recommend for my region?

Your local Cooperative Extension Office is the best resource for region-specific plant recommendations, as their experts have detailed knowledge of your local soil conditions, climate, and hardiness zone. Extension offices are staffed by horticultural specialists and Master Gardener volunteers who can point you toward native plants, perennials, and shrubs proven to thrive in your specific area. Visit the Extension Office website for your state or county, or stop by in person to access plant lists, attend workshops, or even bring in soil samples for testing.