In this edition

Reminder: Enter Hours
Fascinatingly Dark: Nature’s Spooky Insect Superstars
Southern Nye County - September Recap
Cultivating Healthy Plants Webinar Series
Join Carson City Master Gardeners for their Final "Ask a Master Gardener" Event of the Season!
Clark County Master Gardeners in the News!
Douglas County Master Gardeners Host First Annual Garden Tour
Master Gardener Events

December 31st is Coming! Enter your hours!

The end of the year is quickly approaching! Remember to start entering your hours from the year if you haven't been already. All hours are due on December 31st and cannot be accepted after that date.

Remember to review your hours to ensure the date, year, and hours were all inputted correctly!

Impact is the story of the difference you make. By sharing the outcomes of your time and knowledge, we show how Master Gardener volunteers help people grow food, care for the environment, and build stronger communities. Impact celebrates your efforts, helps us improve our programs, and shows the public just how valuable your contributions are.

Enter hours in your Extension Online profile.

Fascinatingly Dark: Nature’s Spooky Insect Superstars (Zoom)

Presented by Megan Andrews, Commercial Horticulture Program Coordinator

Join us as we talk about so of the most spookily fascinating insects found across the globe as well as how they have been used throughout history. From stunning moths to how scorpions have been used in war, we will learn about insects that might give you the heebie-jee-bies but will leave you in awe.

This is a free event, but registration is required.

Learn more about panels

Southern Nye County - September Recap

From the desk of Heather Freeman

September 23rd - 28th, 2025 the Pahrump Master Gardeners accepted 220 entries into the four Foods & Horticulture exhibits sections of the 60th Annual Pahrump Fall Festival. This was the highest number of entries EVER, and more than double participation from last year. Over 1500 visitors came to enjoy the displays and celebrate the winning ribbons.

The Giant Pumpkin contest winners came in at First Place: 94.5lbs. (Cassell Family); Second Place: 60lbs. (William Logson); Third Place: 34.5lbs. (Xzavier Basurto) from eight giant pumpkin entries. Best in Theme "Out of This World" was a "UFO" succulent-dish garden. Much fun was enjoyed by all entrants and volunteers. Outdoor events included the rodeo, parade, car show, fun contests, bands and performers, food booths and carnival. Mark your calendars for late September 2026! Info will be on pahrumpnv.gov/302.

Upcoming Events:

*Saturday October 4, 1:30-3:30pm, we'll host Prof. Jeff Anderson and Prof. ML Robinson for a presentation on Yellow Horn Tree.

*Sunday October 19, 1:00- 4:00pm will be "Autumn in the Garden" with presentation stations around the Desert Demonstration Gardens at 1651 E. Calvada Blvd, Pahrump NV 89048. Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer questions on various fall gardening topics.

Interested in either event? Please send an RSVP to ExtensionSNyeMG@unr.edu.

Cultivating Healthy Plants Webinar Series

A collaborative Extension IPM webinar series with: University of Idaho, Montana State University, University of Nevada, Reno, and Utah State University

Getting to Know the Bees in Your Backyard

Date: Thursday, October 2, 12 noon (Mountain Time), 11 am (Pacific Time)

Speaker: Dr. Joseph Wilson, Utah State University

Dr. Joe Wilson is a Professor and Evolutionary Ecologist at Utah State University, studying bees and wasps. He is co-author of several books including “The Bees in Your Backyard: A Guide to North America’s Bees.” In between teaching and research, he is in demand as a speaker across the country. Joe loves that his work enables him and his family to travel the world collecting and photographing the beautiful bees and wasps that live all around us.

Description: There are nearly 4,000 different kinds of bees living in North America, yet most people are only familiar with one or two (often honey bees and bumble bees). This presentation will introduce the diverse world of native bees and describe how these bees might be different than what you expect. Also learn about how we can protect these important pollinators.

Registration: Free, but required.

Pesticide Applicator Credits: Sorry, no pesticide CEUs for this webinar.

Past Webinars: All webinars are recorded and can be accessed here.

Upcoming sessions:

Thursday, November 20 – Houseplant Diagnostics, Megan Andrews, University of Nevada, Reno
Thursday, December 11 – Emerald Ash Borer, Montana State University

Registration

Join Carson City Master Gardeners for their Final "Ask a Master Gardener" Event of the Season!

Wednesday, October 8th, 2025

Please join the Carson City Master Gardeners for their final presentation of the 2025 season at 5:30 pm on October 8th, at the Carriage House of the Forman-Roberts House (1207 N Carson St, Carson City, NV 89701).

This free, in-person series is put on in collaboration with the University of Nevada, Carson City Extension and the Carson City Master Gardeners.

The topic is Bulbs, which is a rescheduled topic from the September talk and includes instructions on how to make a “Bulb Lasagna”.

Clark County Master Gardeners in the News!

From the desk of Lori Leas

Louise and Master Gardener volunteer Brittany Sterling were interviewed by Channel 13 Meteorologist, Justin Bruce for a segment on Fall gardening in Las Vegas which will air sometime in mid-October.

Louise and Brittany gave good advice for gardeners on the advantages of Fall gardening here in our area as well as the plethora of gardening resources available through the Demonstration Orchard, the Botanic Gardens, the Master Gardener Help Desk, as well as the Extension website.

It was a great way to show off the wonderful work out at the Demonstration Orchard.

Douglas County Master Gardeners Host First Annual Garden Tour

From the desk of Jessica Gardner

The Douglas County Master Gardeners, part of the University of Nevada, Reno Extension, hosted their first annual Garden Tour this September, opening a series of private gardens to the public for a day of discovery and inspiration. The event not only highlighted the diversity of northern Nevada’s landscapes but also the strong relationships Master Gardeners built with homeowners to make the tour possible.

Five distinct gardens were featured, each reflecting creativity, resilience, and a passion for plants. At Blomma Flower Farm, visitors admired pastel-hued zinnias, fruit trees, and cozy gathering spaces. A neighborhood home garden demonstrated how pollinator-friendly planting, raised beds, and even chickens can bring abundance to small spaces. Another stop combined fragrant daphne, mountain views, and productive vegetable beds along a sunny western wall.

The tour also included Sierra Shadow Lavender & Honey Farm, where guests wandered through a lavender maze, learned about wreath-making, and browsed a boutique filled with lavender and honey products. The final garden showcased shade trees, vibrant borders, and a greenhouse creatively constructed from reclaimed doors, windows, and sinks.

Throughout the day, Master Gardeners welcomed guests, guided them with clear signage, and ensured smooth logistics. Local artists painted on-site, adding to the festive, community spirit.

By partnering with homeowners, the Master Gardeners provided rare access to inspiring backyard spaces while demonstrating sustainable gardening practices suited to Nevada’s high desert. The tour proved that with thoughtful design, creativity, and stewardship, gardens here can thrive—and connect community members in the process.

Upcoming Events Throughout the State

October

October 1st - National Kale Day
October 2nd - Getting to Know the Bees in Your Backyard (Online)
October 4th - National Pumpkin Seed Day
October 7th - Laughlin Junior Master Gardener (Clark, Laughlin - Laughlin Library)
October 8th - Bulbs (Carson City/Storey - Carriage House of the Forman-Roberts House)
October 11th - Ask the Experts (Clark, North Las Vegas)
October 14th - Slow Bird Walk (Clark - Las Vegas, Extension Botanic Gardens)
October 14th - Laughlin Junior Master Gardener (Clark, Laughlin - Laughlin Library)
October 15th - Irrigation 101: Intro to Small-Scale Irrigation (Online)
October 16th - Choosing the Right Tree for Your Landscape (Clark, Las Vegas - Springs Preserve)
October 21st - Laughlin Junior Master Gardener (Clark, Laughlin - Laughlin Library)
October 22nd - Ask a Master Gardener (Clark, Laughlin - Laughlin Library)
October 26th - National Pumpkin Day
October 26th - Extension Master Gardener Talks at Spanish Springs Library (Washoe - Spanish Springs Library)
October 28th - National Make a Difference Day
October 28th - Laughlin Junior Master Gardener (Clark, Laughlin - Laughlin Library)
October 28th - Fascinatingly Dark: Nature's Spooky Insect Superstars (Statewide Zoom)
October 30th - Kick off for Master Gardener Training/Advanced Home Horticulture Certificate Program
October 31st - Halloween
October 31st - Nevada Day (Offices closed)

November

November 10th - National Forget-Me-Not Day
November 14th - National Pickle Day
November 20th - Landscape Irrigation (Clark, Las Vegas - Springs Preserve)
November 23rd - Extension Master Gardener Talks at Spanish Springs Library (Washoe - Spanish Springs Library)
November 24th - Maize Day
November 26th - Ask a Master Gardener (Clark, Laughlin - Laughlin Library)
November 27th - Thanksgiving (Offices closed)
November 28th - Family Day (Offices closed)

December

December 2nd - Laughlin Junior Master Gardener (Clark, Laughlin - Laughlin Library)
December 9th - Laughlin Junior Master Gardener (Clark, Laughlin - Laughlin Library)
December 5th - World Soil Day
December 12th - National Poinsettia Day
December 18th - Creating a Certified Wildlife Habitat (Clark, Las Vegas - Springs Preserve)
December 25th - Christmas Day (Offices closed)

January

January 1st - New Year's Day (Offices closed)
January 15th - Honey Bees (Clark, Las Vegas - Springs Preserve)
January 19th - Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Offices closed)

February

February 16th - President's Day (Offices closed)
February 19th - Composting (Clark, Las Vegas - Springs Preserve)

Don't see your event on the calendar? Reach out to your local coordinator to make sure it is added to our online calendar of events!

Events Page

Brinkerhoff, K. 2025, Nevada Master Gardener Statewide Newsletter - October 2025, University of Nevada, Reno Extension, Newsletters

Learn more about the author(s)

Katelyn Brinkerhoff

Nevada Master Gardener Statewide Newsletter - October 2025