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What grows well in the Reno area? Herbs, ferns, shrubs, trees and flowers!
Iris here can go in full sun. Roses go in full sun. A lot of flowers bloom in partial shade.
For all green thumbs in town, it's the best time of year for gardening. Especially with so many stuck at home now. Cabin fever is sending so many to their backyards.
Garden shops say - People are paying more attention to their lawn. We've never had this many people reseeding their lawn.
Reno has a short growing season. Those who wish to plant a fall garden must act - in July and August. In July, Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, and kohlrabi should be started indoors. Sow seeds of lettuce, parsley, and spinach directly in garden beds in late July through mid-August.
In northern Reno, soils are sandy, acidic, and rocky. In the flood plains of southern Reno, soils are heavy in clay.
Gardeners in this area have the greatest success using raised bed gardening. Raised beds allow you to grow in rich organic garden soil, provide good drainage, prevent soil compaction, and keep weeds at bay.
Fall vegetables need consistent moisture; something nature does not provide in Reno. Drip irrigation and soaker hoses supply water very slowly and consistently, saving money on the water bill and keeping your plants happy. Mulch retains moisture, moderates soil temperature and helps keep down any weeds.
Here are four ways you can celebrate mother earth while maintaining social distancing.
1. Start your own indoor herb garden
Do you have a window in your home? Perfect! Then you can have an indoor herb garden.
A meal is not a meal without at least a few culinary herbs mixed in. And growing them is just about the easiest way to come by them! Whether its basil, rosemary, thyme, or even lavender or mint, the possibilities of an indoor herb garden are endless so long as you have enough light!
A south facing window is best to sustain, but any window will work.
2. Start your very own vegetable garden.
Tomatoes, peppers, onions and potatoes all grow very well in our climate so long as the soil and water is balanced for them.
While seedlings are starting out, you may want to provide them with a bit of extra shade, as our dry Nevada sun is a bit hotter than other climates.
3. Plant pollinator friendly plants
Not ready to take the plunge into tending a garden? Something you can do to liven up your yard is planting pollinator friendly plants. Honey bees, butterflies and more all depend on Spring time blooms to start their season off right.
Sunflowers, echinacea, lavender milkweed, yarrow, coyote-mint, and asters are all great Nevada-happy plants that pollinators love.
4. The always classic: Plant a Tree.
Trees add value to your property. They create clean air and help reduce the effects of climate change. In addition, they provide necessary shade and mulch for other plants to grow!
You can choose a fruit tree, such as apple, cherry, or plums, which offer both blossoms for pollinators as well as fruit for your table!
The University of Nevada, Reno Extension is providing Victory Garden Starter Kits to help families grow their own food at home.
"Growing food at home is a great activity for the family, and the kits provided the tools and knowledge to cultivate these skills past the current crisis," Rachel McClure, Master Gardener Program coordinator, said.
"The feedback has been amazing," McClure said. "Families have been telling us that they've never gardened before, but these kits were perfect for getting started, and the kids are excited to grow their own food. We've been able to reach a part of the community that Extension doesn't normally work with, and we're hoping to continue that connection."
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