Master Gardener Volunteers are holding free, in‑person plant clinics throughout Monroe County to help Keys residents identify plants, diagnose pests and diseases, and receive landscape advice tailored to local conditions. The clinics operate year‑round as walk‑in sessions in communities including Key West, Marathon, Islamorada, Key Largo and Big Pine. The UF/IFAS Monroe County extension website lists the recurring clinic locations and schedules; for example, Islamorada’s Gib Reese Park clinic meets on third Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The clinics are designed to be practical and low‑barrier. Visitors are asked to bring clear photographs of the plant concern or a sealed sample to aid identification and diagnosis. Services are offered at no charge by trained Master Gardener Volunteers, providing accessible, science‑based guidance that homeowners can use immediately to address landscape issues.

For Monroe County residents, the clinics arrive at a time when local landscaping decisions have heightened consequences. Salt spray, sandy soils, and hurricane exposure shape plant survivability in the Keys, and incorrect plant choices or delayed pest identification can drive up maintenance costs and increase risks to property. Free diagnostic help from volunteers can reduce unnecessary spending on ineffective treatments, limit the misuse of pesticides, and encourage selections of salt‑ and storm‑resistant species that lower long‑term upkeep.

Beyond cost savings, the clinics contribute to broader community and environmental goals. Accurate diagnosis of pests and diseases supports early intervention and can slow the spread of invasive species that threaten native habitats. Localized landscape advice can also promote native or climate‑resilient plantings that improve stormwater absorption and shoreline stabilization — practical steps for a county that faces sea‑level rise and frequent tropical storms.

The program’s structure — recurring, walk‑in sessions in multiple islands — makes it easier for residents across Monroe County to access expertise without a paid consultation. That improves equity of access for renters, older homeowners, and small‑scale vegetable growers who rely on local knowledge to protect food gardens and ornamental plantings alike.

Residents seeking schedules and location details can consult the UF/IFAS Monroe County extension webpage, which lists where and when each recurring clinic meets and what to bring. The clinics represent a small but tangible public‑education resource that helps Keys gardeners manage costs, increase landscape resilience, and protect the unique ecosystems that define Monroe County.