You may think it's just about impossible to grow a decent garden in the harsh high desert climate of northern Nevada. It is a challenge in our high desert environment of frigid winters, hot summers, and little precipitation, but it can be done. These free classes from Washoe County Regional Parks and Open Space and University of Nevada Cooperative Extension (UNCE), titled Gardening in Nevada: The Bartley Ranch Series, will acquaint would-be gardeners with a many techniques to ensure the successful growing of a variety of plants in the Reno area.
Schedule for Gardening in Nevada: The Bartley Ranch Series
These classes are presented by members of the Master Gardener Program (see more below) of the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension. Each class covers a specific topic related to successfully growing plants in northern Nevada, from fruits and vegetables to turf and trees. These classes will be held in February and March, 2012. All classes are from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- February 7 - Training and Pruning Fruit Trees - Michael Janik will discuss espalier and production pruning of fruit trees, how to thin fruit and tips on pruning to restore older trees. He will review the basics of pruning, plant response to pruning, and methods to train and maintain an attractive and productive tree.
- February 14 - How to Get Great Blooms – Join Carol Feldman and learn how to get great blooms and great color. Learn about what makes flowers bloom and how to enhance the beauty of your surroundings with color. You'll talk about the big bloomers and the petite cluster - blooms, and what makes a good mix for color all season long. The class will cover important cultivation habits, including pruning and fertilizing tips.
- February 21 - Turfgrass and Trees – Wendy Hanson Mazet will discuss how to keep both trees and turf healthy and strong in the urban environment. She will share tips on watering, fertilizing and basic management and care.
- February 28 - Gourmet Gardening – Whitney Lauren will discuss growing herbs in your garden, landscape and in containers. Learn what edible flowers grow well in our northern Nevada environment and how herbs and showy edible flowers add flavor and variety to meals.
- March 6 - Selecting and Caring for Fruit Trees - Michael Janik grows over 100 varieties of apples, stone fruits and small fruits. He will discuss the importance of proper selection, planting and care of fruit trees in northern Nevada. He will also cover climate and soil effects, pest and disease management and yearly maintenance requirements for newly planted trees.
- March 13 - Fancy Plants For Indoors — Suzanne Adams will talk about fancy plants which grow and flower indoors. Come learn which plants do well indoors here in northern Nevada and how to keep them happy and blooming. Plants include orchids, bromeliads, Africa violets, and more.
- March 20 - The Keys to Successful Vegetable Gardening – Randy Robison knows the secrets to bountiful, award-winning harvests. Learn how he produces his abundant harvests through tried-and-true techniques. He will share tips on amending your native soil and gardening in raised beds.
- March 27 - Roses for Reno – Charlene Oakes shows gardeners how roses can transform any garden. The focus is on choosing and maintaining roses that are best suited to the challenges of Reno's growing conditions. This presentation will include all facets of rose care, from selection, to planting and pruning, fertilizing, and winterizing. There will be a detailed slide presentation with examples of roses that thrive in Reno's climate.
Where to Go for the Gardening in Nevada: The Bartley Ranch Series
All classes will be at Bartley Ranch Regional Park, 6000 Bartley Ranch Road is south Reno. The classes are free. For more information about the classes, or to ask general horticulture questions, contact the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension Western Area/Washoe County Office at (775) 784-4848 (main line) or (775) 336-0265 (Ask a Master Gardener).
About the Master Gardener Program
The Master Gardener Program, started in 1972 in Washington state, is a response to ever increasing requests from home gardeners for information about growing fruits, vegetables, and landscape plants in their region. Master Gardeners are volunteers that give Cooperative Extension the ability to provide the public with current and accurate information while providing "participants a sense of community spirit, accomplishment and intellectual stimulation." You can contact the Master Gardener Program by phone at (775) 336-0265 or by email at mastergardeners@unce.unr.edu.
More Gardening Information from About.com
Sources: Washoe County Regional Parks and Open Space and University of Nevada Cooperative Extension.
