ELKHART COUNTY — Elkhart County Master Gardeners helped people with a wide variety of issues during April, according to Jeff Burbrink, an extension educator with Purdue Extension Service in Elkhart County. The Answer Line is a service operated by the Elkhart County’s Master Gardener program.

Burbrink said the most popular questions in April were early season lawn care issues, including crabgrass prevention, mole control and fertilizing. “We had quite a few questions about moss growing in the lawns. Apparently, this was a good winter for moss,” the Extension Educator said.

Fruit trees were also a big concern to a lot of callers. The most popular Purdue publication recommended this month was Managing Pests on Home Fruit Plantings, a 34 page source information. It can be found free online.

Care of trees was another popular subject on the Answer Line this month. “We received many calls concerning thinning branches on spruce trees, as well as questions on making corrective pruning cuts to trees damaged this winter,” Burbrink said.

With warmer temperature expected soon, Burbrink said the Answer Line expects call on warm season crops, like tomatoes, sweet corn and strawberries to increase very soon.

 The Answer Line is a part time service, offered by the Elkhart County Master Gardeners. Calls can be made to 533-0554 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. If a Master Gardener is not currently manning the line, please leave your name, number and a description of your question. Questions and photographs of problems can also be emailed to [email protected]. In addition, Purdue Extension has many publications and resources online for those interested in gardens and lawns. Visit the website here.

Applications are now available for the 2016 Master Gardener class this fall. Contact Jeff Burbrink at [email protected] for more information.