Desert Gardening in Southern Nevada (2022-10)

In this edition

• Upcoming Special Events
• Fall Roses
• Horticulture Classes & MG Booths

About the Newsletter

The Master Gardener Volunteers of Southern Nevada provides horticultural information on gardens, landscapes, plants and other related topics. This newsletter of October 2022 is one of many resources of information available to the public to help accomplish this mission.

Upcoming Special Events*

Enjoy the fall colors in the Nevada Mountains.

•    Class: Helping your Garden Survive Winter, Growing Under the Stars with MGs Series, October 12, 2022, 6-8 p.m. Zoom class (free).
•    Class: Roses, Gardening in Small Places Series, October 15, 2022, 8 a.m.- noon, in person class ($10 fee).
•    Fall Harvest Celebration, October 15, 2022, 11 a.m-3 p.m.
•    Classes & MG Booth: Desert Greens, Las Vegas, October 19-20, 2022. 
•    Class: Growing Fruit at Home, Gardening in Small Places Series, November 5, 2022, 9 a.m.-noon, Zoom class ($10 fee).
•    Class: Creating a Native Flower Wash in Your Yard, Growing Under the Stars with MGs Series, November 17, 2022, 6-8 p.m. Zoom class (free).
•    MG Booth: Night Market at Tivoli Village, Las Vegas, November 19 and December 3, 2022, 4-9 p.m.

* For details on classes, MG Booths and registration links, see the Horticulture Classes & MG Booths section below.

GARDENING INFORMATION AND HELP: Contact the Master Gardener (MG) Help Desk via telephone Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (closed for state holidays) at 702-257-5556 or by email at (ExtensionClarkMG@unr.edu). Walk-ins are welcomed at 8050 Paradise Road, Las Vegas, NV 89123, except on Tuesdays and Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon when the Help Desk is located at the Research Center and Demonstration Orchard at 4600 Horse Drive, North Las Vegas, NV 89131. Walk-ins are welcomed there also. The Help Desk will also be closed the first Wednesday of each month from 9 a.m. to noon.

Botanical Garden: Open to the public from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday (except holidays) for self-guided tour. Scheduled tours started in September 2022. To register for a tour go to (Eventbrite.com) and enter ‘garden tour’ in the search engine.

For Extension gardening publications go to (extension.unr.edu). Select Publications in the QUICKLINK drop down. Change the year to 'All Years' for a more complete listing of documents. Use keywords such as tomato to narrow you search.

 

 

Fall Roses

By MG and ARS Consulting Rosarian Judith Kafantaris

 

Rose Needs During and After Heat of Summer: August 2019 was the second hottest August in Las Vegas as temperatures hit the triple digits. Roses use up a lot of their resources dealing with the stress heat brings to plants and so it is time to replenish those resources. Take a look at your rose canes and stems. Some will be black and hopefully some will be green. Adding 1/4 to 1/3 cup Epsom Salt will help the bush to set new canes.

Pruning: The dead canes and branches can be pruned to the base of the plant. As the temperature becomes cooler cut the top growth by 1/3 to stimulate new growth. Sharpen your pruning shears and remember to sanitize the blades between bushes to eliminate any disease if present.

Fertilizing: Roses do well when adding fertilizer, especially during the year at intervals. In September you can add a balanced fertilizer such as 10-10-10 or your regular brand and soil additives, 1 cup soil sulfur and ½ cup superphosphate. For larger blooms add a soluble fertilizer every two weeks. When done sit back and enjoy the fall blooms.

Sun and Shading: Roses as most plants need 6-8 hours of morning sun. If your roses face south or west and get afternoon sun provide some shade. Shade can be provided with shade cloth, trees/shrubs, and or umbrellas.

Watering: Roses like water. If watered with an irrigation system September 1 starts the 3 days a week schedule. Adding wood mulch helps retain moisture in the soil. When in doubt about whether roses need watering, use a moisture meter to find out.

Now that you have done all this, sit back and enjoy roses’ second bloom this fall.

   

Horticulture Classes & MG Booths**

 

Class: Helping your Garden Survive Winter, Growing Under the Stars with MGs Series, October 12, 2022, 6-8 p.m. Zoom class (free)

We do get winter–OK, maybe not a Maine winter, but we do get cold. Our approximate first frost date is November 15. What can you do to extend the season of frost tender plants that may still be producing? What should you have on hand to make the transition to winter successful? Come and join Master Gardener Lori Evans and learn how to help your garden survive the winter. Register at (Winter Garden).

Class: Roses*, Gardening in Small Places Series, October 15, 2022, 8 a.m.-noon, in person class ($10 fee)

To many in the Mojave Desert roses are a desirable addition to the garden. With hundreds and maybe even thousands of cultivars to choose from, selecting the right rose for the right place may seem daunting. Learn about the attributes to look for in roses that will do well in our dry climate and how to get the biggest blooms and healthiest plants. Register at (Roses). Instructor Dr. Judith Kafantaris.

Fall Harvest Celebration, October 15, 2022, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Celebrate fall and learn about desert horticulture with Master Gardeners and Extension staff at the beautiful Extension Botanic Gardens.

• Try fall dishes made with Extension-grown ingredients
• Visit the various stations around the garden for horticulture advice
• Complete a scavenger hunt for prizes
• View a Rose Show
• Learn what to plant in the fall

Enjoy both hot and iced tea throughout the Garden.

Space is limited so buy your tickets ahead of time. All participants ages 5 and older must have a ticket to attend. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Register at (Fall Harvest).

Classes & MG Booth: Desert Green, October 19-20, 2022.
Santa Fe Station Resort Conference Center, Las Vegas, NV 89130

Desert Green offers professional classes for those employed in horticulture businesses. Class topics include irrigation, plants, arboriculture (cultivation of trees and shrubs), pesticides, golf & sports turf and landscape design. There are over 50 sessions beginning at 7 a.m. and continuing into the afternoon. Go to (Desert Green) to learn more about the program and to register.

Growing Fruit at Home*, Gardening in Small Places Series, November 5, 2022, 9 a.m.-noon, Zoom class ($10 fee).

Can you grow fruit trees and berries in the desert? You bet! Figs, nectarines, peaches, apricots, pears, apples, strawberries, cantaloupe, grapes and blackberries are just a few of the fruits you can grow at home. Learn what attributes to look for when planning your home orchard. Register at (Fruit at Home).

Night Market at Tivoli Village, Las Vegas, MG Booth, November 19 and December 3, 2022, 4-9 p.m.

Crafts, collectibles, gifts, foods, and DJs music along with our Master Gardener Booth for your enjoyment and learning experiences. Tivoli Village is located at 400 South Rampart Boulevard, Las Vegas, NV 89145. Free admission and parking. The MG booth will provide gardening information, answer your gardening questions, free native/desert adaptive seeds packets, two per family. Call the MG Help Desk at 702-257-5556 for more information.

Night time at Tivoli Village.

Creating a Native Flower Wash in Your Yard, Growing Under the Stars with MGs Series, November 17, 2022, 6-8 p.m. Zoom class (free)

Create a Native Flower Wash in Your Yard. Master Gardener Gail Brandys will share a PowerPoint presentation on how she created a Native Flower Wash in her front yard. She took dozens of photos of the process from start to finish of this two-year project. It was designed to provide some color and interest (to an area of the yard that was just gravel and weeds and no irrigation system) and to attract local wildlife. Step by step details will be provided from design to planting to enjoying and then collecting seeds and cutting back for the winter. Also, a discussion of future plans for improving the wash even further will be included. Register at (Native Flower).

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** For more information on the "Gardening in Small Places", please contact Elaine Fagin (efagin@unr.edu) or 702-257-5573. If expecting an email, please check your spam and junk mail folders. Our notices are sent via Listserv emails, which sometimes go to these folders.