Introduction

There’s no doubt about it. Successful garden and lawn care in Nevada requires special skills and knowledge. The Desert Bioscape program shows you how to create attractive and healthy yards by working with Nevada’s environment, rather than against it.

We hope this guide will help you through an evaluation of your yard and yard care practices. This can help to develop an environmentally sound and sustainable yard. The payoff is a yard that saves you money, meets your needs, enhances your neighborhood, adds to property values, improves your community’s forests, and helps protect Nevada’s natural beauty and natural resources.

This workbook will help you develop a sustainable yard. The ultimate goal is to become cities of the desert instead of just cities in the desert. The Horticulture staff and Master Gardener volunteers at your county’s Extension office can provide you with more information and answer questions. They can also tell you about additional services they may provide such as diagnostic tests, workshops, and on-site resources. Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day and neither is a Nevada yard. Take this adventure a step at a time and enjoy!

For the complete guide use the link below to download the PDF version of this special report.

 

Robinson, M.L., Johnson, W.S., Post, R.L., and Carlos, W.J. 2004, A Guide to Desert Bioscape, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, SP-04-12
Printable    Version    (PDF)

Extension Associated Contacts

Martha Barajas
Martha Barajas
M.L. Robinson
M.L. Robinson
 

Also of Interest:

 
closeup of ryegrass
Can We Use Cover Crops in Nevada?
Recognizing success may require a shift in perspective - from focusing solely on yield and annual profit to valuing soil health, water use efficiency, and sustainability.
 G. McCuin, J.K. Solomon, J. Frey 2025, University of Nevada, Reno Extension, Blog posts
yarrow
Groundcover Plants for Southern Nevada: Viable Alternatives to Turfgrass
Groundcover plants are essential for keeping southern Nevada cool. While many desert residents are removing turfgrass to reduce water use, they should consider replacing it with the attractive, drought tolerant alternatives discussed in this publication.
 McGue, L., Robinson, M.L., O'Callaghan, A.O. and Leas, L. 2021, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, FS-21-93
cactus
Eating Cactus: Prickly Pear for Food
Documentation about prickly pear fruit such as harvesting and preparing, prickly pear pads, nutrition, and recipes.
 Bishop, C., and McMurray, B. 2016, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, FS-16-09
Nevada Consumers Willing to Pay More for “Nevada Grown” Labeled Native Plants
Appearance attributes are conveyed to the consumer through physical aspects of the product, such as color, size, and uniformity; while experience attributes are conveyed only through consumption or use of the product, such as the product's taste.
 Cowee, M. and Curtis, K. 2007, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno, FS-07-17
Trees planted in an group and watered with drip irrigation separate from the lawn.
Watering Trees in Hot, Dry Home Landscapes
Droughts in the western U.S. are becoming more frequent and severe. They are particularly hard on our trees. Learn how to properly water your landscape trees, lower your monthly water bill and keep you home and landscape cool and livable.
 Kratsch, H. and Jensen, C. 2023, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, IP-22-02
 

Associated Programs

gathering herbs

Master Gardeners of Clark County

Serving Clark, Lincoln and Southern Nye counties gardening needs.

agave

Desert Demonstration Garden

Extension's Pahrump Master Gardener Volunteers maintain the Desert Demonstration Garden, which features landscape and fruit trees, shrubs and plants suitable for the Mojave Desert climate, plus seasonal vegetable beds to show what you can grow to feed yourself and your family. The garden is free and open to the public.

irrigation training tile

Desert Green, Commercial Water Conservation Training

Desert Green is in its eleventh year and is designed to educate commercial clientele in the Green Industry as well as others who have an interest in water conservation issues. A committee representing the industry implements the training. Desert Green is chaired by one industry representative and one Extension representative. The program is presented once a year, with 36 classes taught in a two-day period.