Released April 29, 2008
RENO, Nev. -- Yes, the desert is DRY and there is a lot of sand and rock out there, but with good local information, some work, a lot of organic matter and water, you too can become a decent "Desert Gardener".
People who move here from other states, especially the East and Midwest, call the Cooperative Extension office with comments like "I used to be a pretty good gardener but things are different here" or "I never had this problem before". That’s why local information is critical for being a successful desert gardener.
Getting Started
The three most important steps to success are soil preparation, proper plant selection and adequate irrigation. Desert soils lack organic materials, are high in salts and are more alkaline. Many plants that like cool, moist conditions just do not do well here. Some will struggle and stay alive but never look, bloom or bare fruit like they do in a better-suited climate. Some plants that do well in southern California or Arizona, like bougainvillea, can be planted here but will freeze out or freeze down to ground level when our temperatures dip below freezing, which happens most winters.
Fruit trees need exposure to cold weather in order to fruit. Many varieties of fruit trees require more winter chill hours than we have, so to be successful you need to choose a variety with low winter chill hour requirements or plant fruits like pomegranate or fig that are better adapted to our warmer climate. It is easier to be a successful gardener if you grow what does best where you are.
As Southern Nevada’s population grows, so does the demand for water. Over one-half of the water used by the average homeowner is used outdoors. As cost for water goes up, choosing a home with xeriscape may be more important. Converting traditional landscape adds cost and unless done properly, can cause permanent damage to established trees. The size and type of plant will determine the proper irrigation installation necessary for healthy growth.
A common problem homeowners in the area have is that the landscape company will put in adequate drip irrigation for an immature shrub or tree, but the homeowner does not realize that the system needs maintenance and will need to be expanded as plants grow. Understanding the basics of irrigation can help you work on your own system or know what to ask a professional.
Even the term "gardening" can be a little controversial. Many think only of vegetables when they think of gardening. We use it in a broad sense to mean growing live plants. University of Nevada Cooperative Extension (UNCE) offers the free booklet Becoming a Desert Gardener (available in English and Spanish) that is an excellent reference for those new to desert gardening and has tips that all gardeners might find helpful. Becoming a Desert Gardener is an all around gardening booklet. It explains how the weather and our soil types affect gardening and has sections on compost, fertilizers, raised beds, mulch, watering, native and desert adapted plants, herbs, vegetables, annuals, perennials, bulbs, fruits/berries, turfgrass, trees, palms and pruning.
University of Nevada Cooperative Extension has information on all of these topics and much more. Access Becoming a Desert Gardener at http://www.unce.unr.edu/publications/files/ho/2001/sp0115.pdf .
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