Must-attend classes for Northern Nevada gardeners
Gardening in Nevada: The Bartley Ranch Series are free classes cosponsored by Washoe County Regional Parks and Open Space, Washoe County and University of Nevada, Reno Extension. These classes are held yearly in February and March at Bartley Ranch (600 Bartley Ranch Rd.) in Reno on Tuesdays from 6 to 8 p.m. Taught by Certified Master Gardener volunteers and Extension horticulture experts, these classes are a must-attend for Nevada gardeners. Class topics vary by year according to the needs of the local community.
2020 Class Topics
February
- FEB. 4 – Selecting & Growing Fruit Trees – Michael Janik, Washoe County Master Gardener Volunteer and Certified Arborist, will take you on a journey from winter through fall and discuss fruit tree needs in northern Nevada including soil, USDA zones and chill hours, watering and pest control. Michael will list fruit varieties he has grown and currently growing to determine suitability for our climate. (ISA CEU’s have been requested)
- FEB. 11 – Noxious Weeds: What you need to know – Andrea Moe, NDA, is an Agricultural Inspector with the Nevada Department of Agriculture noxious weed program. Her presentation will cover how to identify noxious weeds common to our community, basic noxious weed rules and regulations, and some of the most serious threats that noxious weeds can pose to our home in the state of Nevada. She will also cover what we as members of our communities can do to help address noxious weeds in our area and make a difference. (Pesticide Applicator CEU’s have been requested)
- FEB. 18 – Nuisance Weeds ID and Control – Melody Hefner, Urban IPM and Pesticide Safety Education Coordinator, will present information on the differences between noxious and nuisance weeds, how to identify these common weeds in the Truckee Meadows, and control methods. Control methods will include prevention, cultural controls, mechanical controls and lower risk chemical controls. (Pesticide Applicator CEU’s have been requested)
- FEB. 25 – Succulents in Northern Nevada– Liz Morrow, Washoe County Master Gardener Volunteer, will present information about how growing succulents outdoors in cold environments is possible. Succulents bring a wonderful and fun character of textures and colors to any garden or landscape. Liz will share how to select and grow succulents that are conducive to our environment.
March
- MAR. 3 – Training & Pruning Fruit Trees – Michael Janik, Washoe County Master Gardener Volunteer and Certified Arborist, will present fruit tree pruning basics and how trees respond to pruning. Michael will review size control using appropriate rootstocks, how proper early training will reduce the need for pruning as the tree matures, and when to prune. Step-by-step instructions for training fruit trees as central leaders, open center, and espaliers which will embolden any novice pruner. (ISA CEU’s have been requested)
- MAR. 10 – Beneficial Insects and Pollinators – Kevin Burls, Extension IPM Educator will discuss native beneficial insects, including spiders, wasps, and flies, are an important component to pest control in the home garden and small farm. In this talk, we will review the various kinds of beneficial insects including predators, parasitoids, and pollinators, discuss their roles in garden ecology, and how to provide adequate habitat for them.
- MAR. 17 – Native Plants – Heidi Kratsch, Extension Horticulture Specialist, will present the benefits of incorporating native plants into the landscape. She will show beautiful photos of a wide variety of well-suited native plants for our area, and discuss their growing conditions, care and maintenance.
- MAR. 24 – Homegrown Tomatoes – Pamela VanHoozer, Washoe County Master Gardener Volunteer, will discuss successful tomato growing with a focus on planning and implementation of some basic garden tips. From the daunting task of selecting your favorite varieties to plucking them from the vine, we’ll discuss the many options and practices along the way. Topics discussed will include seedling, start or purchase, soil preparation, watering and fertilization, hardening off and planting, support, pruning, pests and disease, seed saving, and pollination.
- MAR. 31 – Successful Vegetable Gardening – Randy Robison, Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Volunteer, will share his secrets to harvesting abundant, award-winning produce from raised garden beds in our high desert climate. Randy will share information about amending the soil to help plants, crop rotation strategies to increase yields and companion planting to discourage pests.
Persons in need of special accommodations or assistance must call or notify Wendy Hanson Mazet at 775-336-0274 or hansonw@unr.edu at least three days prior to the scheduled class.