BROOKINGS, S.D. – South Dakota State University Extension has added seasonal staff to serve its Garden Hotline during the 2026 growing season.
This free service has seasonal consumer horticulture assistants on-site at the SDSU Extension regional centers in Aberdeen, Pierre and Rapid City to help answer South Dakotans’ garden, lawn and yard-related questions. Beth Fredrickson is in Aberdeen, Sara Ogan is in Pierre and Kerry Pile is in Rapid City.
Ogan said the Garden Hotline is an excellent resource for questions that require both in-depth and quick answers, and to correct misinformation. She said it also provides people with local experts on plants that thrive in their area.
“Just because a big box store sells blueberry bushes, it doesn't mean they are suitable for South Dakota,” she said. “Let us help point you in the right direction for fruit that thrives in South Dakota.”
Fredrickson said some of the most common topics are weed identification, accidental plant poisoning and helping people diagnose why their plants are dying. She recalls helping a recent questioner understand the damage done to a lilac bush after spraying the surrounding area, and how to help the plants recover.
“Each of our staff members has their area of expertise but if we don’t know the answer, we probably know someone who does or where to find the answer,” she said. “Some of the answers are straightforward while others are more complicated. Regardless, we are here to help.”
Brookings has staff on-site year-round. Gardeners can also submit garden and yard questions on the Problems and Solutions page.
Residents are encouraged to take photos of the plants in question or bring the plant in person to the regional sites if desired. Experts recommend one close-up photo and one photo of the entire plant.
An SDSU Extension expert or Master Gardener will typically reply within 48 hours if the inquiry is made on a weekday. Contact the hotline nearest you with questions:
• Aberdeen (April – October): sdsu.gardensnorth@sdstate.edu or 605-626-2876
• Brookings (year-round): sdsu.gardenseast@sdstate.edu or 605-690-9447
• Pierre (April – October): sdsu.gardenscentral@sdstate.edu or 605-773-8129
• Rapid City (April – October): sdsu.gardenswest@sdstate.edu or 605-394-6814
• Sioux Falls (April – October): sdsu.gardenssouth@sdstate.edu or 605-782-3298.
SDSU Extension Master Gardeners are also available at other sites around the state to help with questions from the public, including the Pennington County Master Gardeners at the Black Hills Farmers Market in Rapid City, Brookings Master Gardeners at the Brookings Farmers Market and Northern Hills Master Gardeners at the Spearfish Farmers Market.
For more information, visit the SDSU Extension Garden & Yard page.
