In this edition

  • Home Horticulture Certificate Program Registration is Open!
  • Memorial Tree Planting for Master Gardener Rod Haulenbeek
  • It is Plant Sale Season!
  • Statewide Master Gardener Volunteer Meeting Recap and Evaluation
  • Pest Alert! Protect the Plums!
  • Master Gardeners in the News
  • What Should Gardeners Know About Ladybug Releases? The Pros and Cons
  • Carson City: Free In-Person Gardening Classes for Northern Nevada Gardeners
  • Events Around the State

Home Horticulture Certificate Program Registration is Open!

Do you have someone on your mind that would make a great Master Gardener volunteer? Encourage them to register for the Home Horticulture Certificate Program! This program is the first step of becoming a Master Gardener volunteer!

Four Step Process to Become a Master Gardener:

  1. Complete and pass the Home Horticulture Certificate Program (pre-requisite)
  2. Apply to be a Master Gardener volunteer
  3. Complete required volunteer application process (including, but not limited to, interview, background check and volunteer paperwork)
  4. Complete and pass the Master Gardener Training Program

The total cost of the Master Gardener Training Program is $300 ($275 for the Home Horticulture Certificate Program and $25 for the Master Gardener Training Program). The cost includes course materials and supports Extension's horticulture programs and staff.

Current Master Gardeners can audit the Home Horticulture Certificate Program for a discounted rate of $100. Contact your local coordinator for registration information if interested.

Home Horticulture Certificate Registration

Memorial Tree Planting for Master Gardener Rod Haulenbeek

Celebrate the life and legacy of the Tree Hunter

Date:

May 7, 2026

Time:

Approximately 3:00 p.m. (immediately following the family’s event)

Location:

Kleiner Oak Grove, Wilbur D. May Arboretum, Reno, NV

Attendance:

This will be an informal gathering. Those already attending the Celebration of Life are welcome to join, and any Master Gardener wishing to attend the planting is also welcome.

Master Gardener Rod sitting under tree during a tree walk

The tree selected is a Heritage Oak (Quercus x macdanielii ‘Clemons’), a fitting tribute. This variety is a cross between an English Oak and a Bur Oak, and the tree is currently being cared for in the greenhouse.

This selection is especially meaningful, as Rod spent a great deal of time in the oak groves at the arboretum-often watching for acorns, collecting them, and ensuring they were grown and carried forward. Oaks reflect so many of Rod’s qualities: strong-willed, enduring, generous, and of course, tall. Known for their longevity and ability to anchor a landscape for generations, this tree will serve as a living tribute in a place he deeply loved.

The planting site within Kleiner Oak Grove was thoughtfully selected based on Rod’s connection to the space and his contributions to the arboretum’s collection.

In addition, we have established “The Tree Hunter Legacy Fund” in Rod’s honor. This fund will support the installation and long-term care of trees at the arboretum for generations to come. The fund will be formally announced at our upcoming gala, where a paddle raise will be held to launch its initial funding.

Ways to Give:

May Arboretum

  • Text to Donate: Text the keyword ROOTED to 366283
  • By Check: Make payable to May Arboretum Society and mail to:
    PO Box 6225, Reno, NV 89513 (Please include “Tree Hunter” in the memo line)

Master Gardener Program - Washoe County

Washoe County Master Gardener Giving Link

It is Plant Sale Season!

May is the month of plant sales for several of our Master Gardener programs!

Master Gardener Cindy holding flowers at annual plant sale

Friday, May 15th

Annual Master Gardener Plant Sale
Where: 4955 Energy Way, NV (Washoe, Extension Washoe County Office)
When: 2 - 6 p.m.

Saturday, May 16th

Annual Master Gardener Plant Sale
Where: 4955 Energy Way, NV (Washoe, Extension Washoe County Office)
When: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Saturday, May 16th

Annual Perennial Plant Sale
Where: 381 Genoa Ln, Minden, NV (Douglas, TNC: River Fork Ranch)
When: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Get a head start and/or one-on-one guidance and shop with a Master Gardener on May 15th. Tickets are $25!

Saturday, May 30th

2nd Annual Perennial Plant Sale
Where: 1044 Beverly Drive, Carson City, NV (Carson City, Carson City Community Garden)
When: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Saturday, June 20th

North Lake Tahoe Plant Sale (new this year!)
Where: North Lake Tahoe Demonstration Garden (999 Tahoe Blvd., Incline Village, NV)
When: TBA

All proceeds of the Master Gardener plant sales go towards the county Master Gardener program to help maintain projects and programming.

Statewide Master Gardener Volunteer Meeting Recap and Evaluation


Thank you so much for joining us for our first statewide Master Gardener meeting! I know we covered a lot of data, but I hope you also had fun interacting with volunteers around the state during our breakout session.

Please let us know what you thought of the meeting and what you'd like to see in the future!

Evaluation
Bee on purple flower
 

Pest Alert! Protect the Plums!

Kuno scale on plum tree

This spring you might have noticed small, round bumps clinging to the twigs or branches of your plum trees or other stone fruit trees. Those tiny, immobile bumps are most likely Kuno scale, a common soft scale insect that favors fruit trees, especially plums, and occasionally shows up on roses and walnuts as well.

In low numbers, Kuno scale may cause little noticeable harm. However, high populations can lead to several plant health issues. Early detection and management are crucial to preventing the spread of this pest.

About Kuno Scale

Master Gardeners in the News!

Washoe County Master Gardeners have secured a monthly news segment with KOLO called "In the Garden".

"In our monthly gardening segment, the UNR Extension Master Gardeners give us tips on how to prune rose bushes to ensure beautiful blooms this summer."

Rose Pruning Segment
Image of the KOLO News "In the garden" segment opener

What Should Gardeners Know About Ladybug Releases? The Pros and Cons

 
Blog post written by Carrie Jensen, Urban Integrated Pest Management and Pesticide Safety Education Programs Coordinator, University of Nevada, Reno Extension

Lady bug on a leaf

If you’ve spent any time in gardening circles, you’ve probably heard the enthusiastic rallying cry: “Release ladybugs—they’ll eat all your aphids!” It’s an appealing idea. After all, who wouldn’t want to solve pest problems with a charming, polka-dotted beetle (technically called lady bird beetles) instead of chemicals?

But like most things in gardening and ecology, the truth is a bit more complex. Ladybug releases can be helpful in certain situations, but they also come with drawbacks that many people don’t realize. Before you buy a container full of beetles, it’s worth understanding both sides of the story.

Read Carrie's full blog post below!

Blog Post

Carson City: Free In-Person Gardening Classes for Northern Nevada Gardeners

Join the University of Nevada, Reno Extension Carson City Master Gardeners for a series of engaging, hands-on gardening classes!

These sessions are perfect for anyone interested in learning more about gardening in our region.

When:

Second Wednesday of each month, March through September from 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm

Where:

Carson City Community Garden, 1044 Beverly Drive, Carson City, NV

Carson City Master Gardeners posing in front of Carson City Community Garden sign

Topics:

  • May 13: Hardy Succulents
  • June 10: Small Spaces, Big Harvest
  • July 8: Clematis
  • August 12: Saving Seeds
  • September 9: Winter Flowering Shrubs/Plants

All sessions are free and open to the public. Come grow with us! 

Each session counts as one hour of continuing education for Master Gardener volunteers if attending.

Events Around the State

Join us for the Master Gardener events throughout the state!

May

  • May 1st - May Day / International Sunflower Guerrilla Gardening Day
  • May 1st - Registration for Home Horticulture Certificate Program Opens
  • May 2nd - National Herb Day
  • May 2nd - Master Gardener Talk at Ace Hardware (Carson City - Ace Hardware)
  • May 3rd-9th - National Herb Week
  • May 8th - National Public Gardens Day
  • May 8th - Iris Day
  • May 9th - Bird Day
  • May 13th - Tulip Day
  • May 13th - Hardy Succulents (Carson City - Carson City Community Garden)
  • May 15th - Bring Flowers to Someone Day
  • May 15th - Annual Master Gardener Plant Sale (Washoe - Extension Washoe Office)
  • May 15th - Shop with a Master Gardener (Douglas - TNC: River Fork Ranch)
  • May 16th - Annual Master Gardener Plant Sale (Washoe - Extension Washoe Office)
  • May 16th - Perennial Plant Sale 2026 (Douglas - TNC: River Fork Ran)
  • May 16th - Love a Tree Day
  • May 18th-24th - National African Violet Week
  • May 19th - Plant Something Day
  • May 20th - Flower Day
  • May 20th - Pick a Strawberry Day
  • May 21st - Gardening Ergonomics (Clark, Las Vegas - Springs Preserve)
  • May 23rd - Bird Walk and Garden Tour (Clark, Las Vegas - Research Center and Demonstration Orchard)
  • May 26th - Gertrude's Garden Talks (Douglas - Dangberg Ranch Historic Park)
  • May 29th - Composting Day
  • May 30th - Water a Flower Day
  • May 30th - 2nd Annual Perennial Plant Sale (Carson City - Carson City Community Garden)

June

  • June - National Pollinator Month
  • June 5th - World Environment Day
  • June 6th - National Gardening Exercise Day
  • June 7th - 13th - National Gardening Week
  • June 10th - 2026 Garden Talks: Small Spaces, Big Harvest (Carson City - Carson City Community Garden)
  • June 12th - Red Rose Day
  • June 13th - Weed Your Garden Day
  • June 15th-21st - National Pollinator Week
  • June 16th - Fresh Veggies Day
  • June 18th - Succulents (Clark, Las Vegas - Springs Preserve)
  • June 20th - North Lake Tahoe Plant Sale (Washoe - UNR at Lake Tahoe)
  • June 23rd - Gertrude's Garden Talks (Douglas - Dangberg Home Ranch Historic Park)
  • June 27th - Bird Walk and Garden Tour (Clark, Las Vegas - Research Center and Demonstration Orchard)

July

  • July - National Blueberry Month
  • July 3rd - Offices Closed (Observation of Independence Day)
  • July 6th - Build a Scarecrow Day
  • July 8th - National Blueberry Day
  • July 27th - Take Your Houseplants for a Walk Day
  • July 28th - Meet and Greet for Becoming a Desert Gardener (Clark, Las Vegas - Extension, Clark Office)
  • July 28th - Gertrude's Garden Talks (Douglas - Dangberg Home Ranch Historic Park)

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!

All Events
Brinkerhoff,K. 2026, Nevada Master Gardener Statewide Newsletter (2026-05), University of Nevada, Reno Extension

Learn more about the author(s)

Katelyn Brinkerhoff
Katelyn Brinkerhoff