Gardens, Trees & Landscapes
Practical landscaping advice you can trust
Providing information, programs and training grounded in research to help residents and businesses manage gardens, trees and landscapes.
Latest Publications
Las Vegas gardeners can thrive in arid conditions by using drought-tolerant plants, drip irrigation, and weather-based controllers. Soil improvement, mulching, shading, and interplanting boost moisture retention, reduce stress, and support sustainable urban agriculture.
Dr. Felipe Barrios-Masias worked with the Desert Farming Initiative and local growers exploring technologies such as grafting and irrigation management that are important to small growers in such a dry valley. They discuss what they found and how much more opportunity there is for Nevada agriculture.
This Nevada Today feature spotlights UNR’s Desert Farming Initiative as it strengthens Nevada’s food security by training new farmers, advancing desert-adapted agriculture and supporting local producers through research, mentorship and the statewide Nevada Farm Network.
All Gardens, Trees & Landscapes Programs
Biggest Little Pollinator Garden
The Biggest Little Pollinator Garden is located on the campus of University of Nevada, Reno near the Fleischmann Agriculture Building. The garden is maintained by U.S. Fish and Wildlife; University Arboretum Board; University Facilities; University Museum of Natural History; Nevada Bugs and Butterflies; College of Science; and College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources faculty, staff, students and volunteers.
Botanic Gardens
Extension's 7 acre outdoor educational Botanic Gardens surround the Extension office at 8050 Paradise Road in Las Vegas. The Plant Collection of the Botanic Gardens contains approximately 4,500 plants, most of which are desert-adapted and well-suited to the xeric conditions of southern Nevada. All plant selections and designs are water-smart in accordance with SNWA restrictions. The Botanic Gardens are curated and managed by the Botanic Garden Manager.
Carson City Community Garden
The garden has, since 2001, been a place for Carson residents to grow and harvest their own crops, learn from community members and Master Gardener presentations, and share their love and knowledge of horticulture with the community!
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.
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.
Green Industry Training
A workforce development program to train green industry professionals, who receive continuing education units for pesticide applicator, ISA-certified arborist and Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper
Home Horticulture Certificate Programs
Extension's Home Horticulture Certificate Program provides basic horticulture education to homeowners, educators and anyone interested in learning more about the Nevada landscapes, plants and more.
Integrated Pest Management
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a strategy that reduces pests to tolerable levels with lower costs for the pest manager or home gardener and minimal effect on the environment. The IPM program at University of Nevada, Reno Extension focuses on identification and public education with resources for the community including classes, Spanish language resources and a pest directory.
Nevada Desert Bioscape
Extension’s Desert Bioscape program takes a holistic approach to conserving natural resources in an urban setting. This program targets adult learners in the green industry of southern Nevada. The program uses the successful Correctional Horticultural program as a model for development.
Pesticide Safety Education Program
Extension’s Pesticide Safety Education Program provides web-based training for pesticide applicators seeking to apply restricted and general use pesticides safely, properly and according to the law. Pesticide licensure and certification is administered by the Nevada Department of Agriculture.
Pollinator Week
Events aimed at educating people about the importance of pollinators will be held locally, including in-person gatherings, webinars, and garden-planting activities.
Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper (QWEL)
Training will provide participants with local water, soil and plant information, basic and advanced irrigation principles and hands-on water audit skills they can use in the field
Weed Warriors Invasive Weed Training
The Nevada Noxious Weed Education Program, Weed Warriors program tackles the growing problem of spreading noxious and nuisance weeds on public and private land.
