This has been a very wet winter for northern Nevada. While we need the water, our soils need some thoughtful protection, now and throughout the growing season. We all have garden fever, but it may be too soon and too wet to work your soil right now. The biggest concern …
After several years of drought, we welcome all the precipitation so far this year, but wet winters can lead to weedy springs. Weed seeds can remain viable in the soil for years, waiting for the right moisture conditions in the soil to sprout. If you’ve had trouble in the past …
The growing season is winding down. Some of us are hoping for an Indian summer so our tomatoes will ripen. Some of us are ready for the first frost. Most of us are tired of dealing with pests. If you had a pest problem this year, it is a pretty …
We have been getting calls in our office lately about nuisance rabbits. Rabbit populations fluctuate year to year and during the season, depending on food availability and predator populations. They can have several litters a year, but the largest number of litters occurs in the spring. Rabbits are most active …
Gardening in Nevada is always a challenge. At no time does that become more apparent than when we try to grow tomatoes. Tomatoes require temperatures above 55 F at night but less than 85 F during the day for pollination to occur. If the nighttime temperatures drop below 55 to …
Gardening season is in full swing, and many people are bringing plants to our office for disease or insect pest identification. Many of the plants are not diseased; they are suffering from some form of phytotoxicity. Phytotoxicity – what’s that? Phytotoxicity is plant injury generally caused by a chemical applied …
Our wet spring continues to produce weeds. Here are some troublesome annual weeds that start small and grow low. When they occur in lawns, their growth habit lets them avoid the mower. It also allows them to hide longer, increasing their chances of producing seed. Common Purslane: This plant has …
Soil is the foundation of our landscapes. Without good soil, plants won’t grow and thrive. Good soil has a mixture of sand, silt and clay, with plenty of organic matter and pore spaces. The pore spaces contain air and water and are the places where plant roots grow. These pore …
Our mild fall postponed the inevitable invasion of mice into our homes, but now you notice you’ve got quite an infestation. What can you do? Mice and rats are commonly referred to as “commensal” rodents. Commensal means they share our table. Like us, mice need food, water and shelter. The …
It is that time of year when we all wait for our tomato plants to produce ripe and succulent fruit. But here in northern Nevada it seems that there is always something preventing us from enjoying the fruits of our labors. One of the biggest questions we get is “why …
