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With spring nearing, the Fairfax County Master Gardener Association (FCMGA) is spreading gardening news and fostering camaraderie amongst area gardeners. The FCMGA have set up plant clinics in various places around the county, booths at farmer’s markets and libraries, and a help desk located at Government Center, Pennino Building (10th floor) to offer free, unbiased, and research-based advice on selecting and caring for ornamental plants, vegetables, and lawn. Residents can take advantage of in-person answers to gardening questions, plant and insect identification, soil tests, and more. For a fee of $30, FCMGA volunteers will visit the homeowner's property to assess the general condition of the turfgrass, survey and identify major weeds, measure the lawn area, take a soil sample and provide recommendations. FCMGA also has speakers come out to citizens groups and HOA meetings to highlight a wide range of gardening topics. For exact times and locations, check out the plant clinic schedule on the FCMGA website: http://fairfaxgardening.org/plant-clinics/2017-plant-clinic-schedule.