In this edition
- Upcoming Special Events
- Feature Publication: Bring Vegetable Growing Indoors this Winter
- Horticulture Classes & Community Events
About the Newsletter
The Master Gardener Volunteers of Southern Nevada provides horticultural information on gardens, landscapes, plants and other related topics. This newsletter of January 2023 is one of many resources of information available to the public to help accomplish this mission.
Upcoming Special Events
Happy New Years
- Class: Pear and Apple Tree Care & Pruning, Research Orchard Class Series, January 5, 2023, 8:30 a.m.-noon, in person class ($15 fee).
- Class: Pear and Apple Tree Care & Pruning, Research Orchard Class Series, January 7, 2023, 8:30 a.m.-noon, in person class ($15 fee).
- Class: Pruning, Gardening in Small Places Series, January 14, 2023, 8 a.m.-noon, in person class ($10 fee).
- Class: Winter Rose Pruning, January 21, 2023, 9:30 a.m.-noon, Extension Rose Garden (free).
- Class: Pomegranate, Fig & Other Fruit Tree Care & Pruning, Research Orchard Class Series, January 26, 2023, 8:30 a.m.-noon, in person class ($15 fee).
- Class: Pomegranate, Fig & Other Fruit Tree Care & Pruning, Research Orchard Class Series, January 28, 2023, 8:30 a.m.-noon, in person class ($15 fee).
- Class: Trees and Shrubs: Planning, Planting and Care, Growing Under the Stars with MGs Series, January 31, 2023, 6-8 p.m. Zoom class (free).
- Class: Organic Pest Management, Growing Under the Stars with MGs Series, February 8, 2023, 6-8 p.m. Zoom class (free).
- Class: Vegetable Gardening, Gardening in Small Places Series, February 11, 2023, 9 a.m.-noon, Zoom class ($10 fee).
- Arborist Exam Prep, February 14-16, 2023 (fee) & ISA Certification Exam, February 18, 2023 (fee).
- Class: Pomegranates, Growing Under the Stars with MGs Series, February 15, 2023, 6-8 p.m. Zoom class (free).
- MG Booth: World Market Center, Las Vegas, March 10-12, 2023.
- Class: Composting, Gardening in Small Places Series, March 11, 2023, 9 a.m.-noon, Zoom class ($10 fee).
- Class: Gardening Safety, Growing Under the Stars with MGs Series, March 23, 2023, 6-8 p.m. Zoom class (free).
- Nevada Naturalist Program, classes and filed trips begin in April 2023.
- MG Booth: County Fair, Logandale, NV, April 12-16, 2023.
- Class: Understanding Your Irrigation, Gardening in Small Places Series, April 29, 2023, 8 a.m.-noon, in person class ($10 fee).
- Class: Solving Garden Problems, Gardening in Small Places Series, May 13, 2023, 9 a.m.-noon, Zoom class ($10 fee).
* For details on classes, MG Booths and registration links, see the Horticulture Classes & Events 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. The Help Desk will usually be closed the first Wednesday of each month from 9 a.m. to noon.
Botanical Garden: Open to the public from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday (except holidays) for self-guided tour. Scheduled tours started in September 2022.
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.
Featured Publication: Bring Vegetable Growing Indoors this Winter
By J. Fisher, 2018, Reno Gazette Journal
Figure 2: Start growing plants indoors.
Here in Southern Nevada, we can grow cool season plants outside, but here is a way to start both cool and warm seasons plants inside during the winter.
The article: The growing season is winding down, and we are putting our gardens to bed. However, growing your own food doesn’t have to be over. There are many kitchen scraps from your fridge that you can regrow to have freshly grown produce in your own home, including and not limited to romaine lettuce, cabbage, bok choy, celery, carrot greens, turnips, radishes, beets and many herbs.
For head-form, leafy vegetables like romaine lettuce, cabbage, bok choy and celery, you can regrow them from the base or bottom of the stalk where the roots would normally be. Cut off any leaves or stalks to about 1 inch. Place the base in a shallow bowl with just enough water to cover the base, about a half-inch. It may be helpful to push a few toothpicks into the bottom to provide stability. Replace the water every few days and keep it indoors with full sun. This is best done in a south facing window during the winter season.
For the complete article go to publication ID #2143 or use the following link (Pubtitle=2143).
Figure 3: Master Gardener Gail tried this method three weeks ago with celery and romaine lettuce. “It works.” says Gail “I can’t wait to see how big they get.”
Horticulture Classes & Events*
Pear and Apple Tree Care & Pruning, Research Orchard Class Series, January 5, 2023, 8:30 a.m.-noon, in person class ($15 fee)
Master Gardener Yutaka Nomura will teach you how to care for your trees, how to keep them healthy and how to prune for best fruit production. Part of class instruction will be indoors and part will be outdoors where the demonstration of the basic pruning techniques particular to apple and pear trees will take place. Register at (Pruning 1/5/23).
Pear and Apple Tree Care & Pruning, Research Orchard Class Series, January 7, 2023, 8:30 a.m.-noon, in person class ($15 fee)
Master Gardener Yutaka Nomura will teach you how to care for your trees, how to keep them healthy and how to prune for best fruit production. Part of class instruction will be indoors and part will be outdoors where the demonstration of the basic pruning techniques particular to apple and pear trees will take place. Register at (Pruning 1/7/23).
Pruning, Gardening in Small Places Series, January 14, 2023, 8 a.m.-noon, in person class ($10 fee)
This class will teach you the what, when, where, why and how of pruning your landscape to keep your plants healthy and looking like you want them to. Instructor Dr. Angela O’Callaghan. Register at (Pruning 1/14/23).
Winter Rose Pruning, January 21, 2023, 9:30 a.m.-noon, Extension Rose Garden (free)
Rose Pruning class Saturday, January 21, 2023, 9;30 a.m.to noon, free. Please bring pruners, loppers, alcohol swabs or disinfectant spray to clean blades between rose bushes, gloves, gauntlets and dress warm. No registration required. The Rose Garden is located at The Extension Facility, 8050 Paradise Road, Las Vegas, NV 89123 at the north end of the property next to the shade parking area. Contact Judith at (judithkafantaris0625@gmail.com) for any questions.
Pomegranate, Fig & Other Fruit Tree Care & Pruning, Research Orchard Class Series, January 26, 2023, 8:30 a.m.-noon, in person class ($15 fee)
Master Gardener Yutaka Nomura will teach you how to care for your trees, how to keep them healthy and how to prune for best fruit production. Part of class instruction will be indoors and part will be outdoors where the demonstration of the basic pruning techniques particular to fig and pomegranate trees will take place. Register at (Pruning 1/26/23).
Pomegranate, Fig & Other Fruit Tree Care & Pruning, Research Orchard Class Series, January 28, 2023, 8:30 a.m.-noon, in person class ($15 fee)
Master Gardener Yutaka Nomura will teach you how to care for your trees, how to keep them healthy and how to prune for best fruit production. Part of class instruction will be indoors and part will be outdoors where the demonstration of the basic pruning techniques particular to fig and pomegranate trees will take place. Register at (Pruning 1/28/23).
Figure 4: Gardener pruning a fruit tree in the spring.
Trees and Shrubs: Planning, Planting and Care, Growing Under the Stars with MGs Series, January 31, 2023, 6-8 p.m. Zoom class (free)
Come and join Master Gardener Mike Kauzlarich as he covers the basics of what you need to know for all phases of your tree's and shrub's lives. The presentation will cover proper site selection, preparation as well as the long-term care and maintenance of your valuable plants. Register at (Trees & Shrubs).
Organic Pest Management, Growing Under the Stars with MGs Series, February 8, 2023, 6-8 p.m. Zoom class (free)
While creepy crawlies, aka insects, are a part of gardening, some are beneficial and some are not. If you are looking for a way to manage the insects in your vegetable garden that won’t add harsh chemicals to your vegetables then this class is for you. Come join Master Gardener Lori Evans as she relates ways to manage the pests without causing harm to people and pets. Register at (Pest).
Vegetable Gardening, Gardening in Small Places Series, February 11, 2023, 9 a.m.-noon, Zoom class ($10 fee)
This workshop is geared to help the beginning gardener, returning gardener, gardeners from outside the desert or current gardeners that just want a little refresher, learn how to be successful growing their own food in the Mojave Desert. Instructor Dr. Angela O’Callaghan. Register at (Vegetables).
Arborist Exam Prep, February 14-16, 2023 (fee) & ISA Certification Exam, February 18, 2023 (fee).
Courses will focus on the areas of knowledge in the ISA Certification Arborist Application Guide. Course material included. Course topics include tree biology, tree nutrition and fertilization, soil science and water management, plant health care, tree diagnosis and plant disorder, tree identification and selection, installation and establishment, pruning, electrical safety, tree risk assessment and management and trees and constructions. Registration opens in early January and is limited to 30 attendees per day. Classes sell out each year. Additional information at (Arborist).
Pomegranates, Growing Under the Stars with MGs Series, February 15, 2023, 6-8 p.m. Zoom class (free)
Did you know that Pomegranate trees have different pruning guidelines than other fruit trees? Join Pahrump MG Coordinator Heather Freeman for an informative presentation to learn the best practices for caring for and pruning your pomegranate tree for peak production. Register at (Pomegranates).
MG Booth: World Market Center, Las Vegas, March 10-12, 2023 (trade show entrance fee).
Gardening information, talk with a Master Gardening, gardening classes, native/desert adaptive wild flower seed packages, starter tomato plants, over 60 publications, displays and more. All is free. The trade show is located at 435 South Grand Central Parkway and is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and closes at 4 p.m. on Sunday. Entrance to the show is free to veterans and seniors on Friday. Free parking.
Composting, Gardening in Small Places Series, March 11, 2023, 9 a.m.-noon, Zoom class ($10 fee)
If you think you can’t compost in the Mojave Desert, or if you’ve tried to compost in the desert and haven’t been successful, join our compost class. If you eat fruits and vegetables and throw any parts of them away, you have the beginning makings of compost. Instructor Dr. Angela O’Callaghan. Register at (Composting).
Gardening Safety, Growing Under the Stars with MGs Series, March 23, 2023, 6-8 p.m. Zoom class (free).
Gardening is a wonderful hobby but is fraught with potential safety hazards for the gardener. Master Gardener and retired Certified Safety Professional Gail Brandys will identify gardening hazards and prevention and how to adapt your work style and tools to garden safely now and, in the future, as we age. Types of hazards discussed will be: physical (heat, stress/stain, slips/falls, invertebrates, microorganisms, toxins), heat-related illnesses (symptoms and prevention), stress/strain and slips/falls.
All discussed will be ergonomic principles” golden zone, weight limits, carpal tunnel syndrome, neutral hand position, prevention, ergonomic tools, work practices, garden design concepts (efficiency, dwarf trees, raised beds and plant selection), construction safety hazards, ladders and power tools. Register at (Safety).
Nevada Naturalist Program, classes begin in April 2023 (fee)
If you are interested in learning more about the natural resources of Southern Nevada, the NV Naturalist Program may be for you. The next NV Naturalist session begins in April 2023. Classes are usually help on Mondays and Wednesdays in the evening and field trips are on Saturdays. For more information contact Denise Parsons at (dparsons@unr.edu).
MG Booth: Clark County Fair, Logandale, NV, April 12-16, 2023 (fair entrance fee)
Gardening information, talk with a Master Gardening, native/desert adaptive wild flower seed packages, starter tomato plants, over 60 publications, displays for children and adults and more. All is free. The fair features professional rodeo, entertainment, carnival, food court, animal exhibits, blue ribbon competition and more. Go to (https://ccfair.com/) for more information about the fair. Free parking.
Understanding Your Irrigation, Gardening in Small Places Series, April 29, 2023, 8 a.m.-noon, in person class ($10 fee)
As your plants grow and your landscape changes, your irrigation needs change too. No one type of irrigation is good for all plants. When you have a variety of plants in your landscape, you need a varied irrigation to accommodate those plants. In addition, proper irrigation can prevent water waste and help you save money. Come discover the right type of irrigation for your landscape. Instructor Professor ML Robinson. Register at (Irrigation).
Solving Garden Problems, Gardening in Small Places Series, May 13, 2023, 9 a.m.-noon, Zoom class ($10 fee)
You may notice holes in leaves, black spots on the bottoms of the tomatoes, spots on the leaves, your squash not developing or other things. Learn about common problems in the garden, how they happen, how to avoid them and what to do about them if they occur. Register at (Problems).
*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. We are pleased to make reasonable accommodations for members of the public who are disabled and wish to participate in our programs. If special arrangements are necessary, please notify Elaine.
