Until I started working with University of Nevada Cooperative Extension, I used to be extremely annoyed with all the insects buzzing around my garden, swatting away these creatures while walking to class on campus. I never gave it a second thought that they were actually doing something useful. The more …
April showers bring May flowers, but not everything that is growing and blooming right now is desirable. Our wet winter and spring have caused many weeds to start growing. It is time to start scouting for and controlling these early spring weeds. Lawns are starting to green up, but not …
This time of year, I look forward to gardening again, but I dread spring weed growth. Many people elect to apply herbicides to prevent weed growth. It is important to understand the difference between preemergence herbicides, post-emergence herbicides and soil sterilants. Preemergence herbicides kill germinating seeds. These products are applied …
Fall is a good time to get a head start on weed control by applying preemergence herbicides. Herbicides are chemicals that kill plants. Preemergence herbicides target plant seeds, providing a chemical barrier. As the seeds begin to sprout, they encounter this chemical barrier, and cell division in the young root …
Reports of food-borne illnesses are increasingly frequent in the news. Most foodborne illnesses are caused by consuming raw fruits and vegetables that are contaminated by pathogens. Pathogens are disease-causing microorganisms such as bacteria or viruses. Many people do not realize that home gardens are not free from pathogens. Many fruits …
This time of year, when the temperatures soar, we worry a lot about our lawns getting enough water. But not enough attention is paid to the rest of our landscape. Our trees and shrubs need water too – not as often as the lawn, but the water should go deeper …
A client recently came into the Master Gardener office with a problem in his landscape. He noticed that the lower branches of several trees bordering his lawn were showing damage. The leaves were curling and the margins of the leaves looked burnt. He wondered what disease was causing this damage. …
You diligently pulled all those early spring weeds and your landscape was looking pretty nice. But where did all these new weeds come from? Now is the time of year when the summer annual weeds can become a real nuisance. The seeds of these weeds were waiting for the soil …
The vegetable garden is planted and growing well, and you are starting to scout for insect pests. While you’re scouting for pests, scout for beneficial insects too. Many people think all insects are bad, but the truth is, less than 1 percent of insects are pests. Most insects don’t harm …
Every year, new ergonomic tools and innovative items fill the shelves of local stores. Though you can find just about anything for the gardening enthusiast, we came up with a list of the six must-have items. If you haven’t acquired a hula hoe, you don’t know what you are missing. …
