The Holidays are here and your garden is probably the last thing on your mind right now. December is a great time for busy gardeners to get some rest! However, if you do feel so inclined to work in the garden, below are some helpful gardening tips for December:

• Water at least once this month. Yes, this is said a lot, but if we don’t get at least an inch of rainfall or a foot of snow, it’s time to drag out the hose and give those plants a drink.
• If we do a get a lot of snow and the weight of it is threatening to break the branches off your trees and shrubs, make sure to gently brush it off. Although, if it’s just a light layer, you can go ahead and leave the snow on to act as insulation.
• Strong winter winds can leave some of your trees with broken and hanging branches. Be sure to cut these off as soon as possible in order to avoid further damage.
• Feed the birds! Food sources are quite limited in the winter and these natural garden pest controllers need some extra calories.

Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

I hope these gardening tips for December help you check some things off your to-do list. For additional Northern Nevada planting resources, be sure to check out some of our local nurseries. One of my favorites is Greenhouse Garden Center in Carson City.

P.S. Did you miss November’s gardening tips? Click here to get caught up.

Fall is slowly making it’s presence know with cooler evening temperatures, shorter days, and the beginnings of fall color. Autumn is a great time to do some cleanup in your garden and get it ready for spring. Below you can find some helpful gardening tips for October.

Last of the Harvest

Your garden is probably starting to shows signs of the end of it’s annual life, but hopefully you’ve had a bountiful harvest this season! If the hard shell develops enough on your pumpkins and winter squashes you should be able to store them for several months in a cool dark place. Green tomatoes can be ripened in a cardboard box or paper bag, so make sure to harvest them all before the first freeze.

Gardening Tips for October: Fall Planting

Continue planting your spring flowering bulbs until the ground freezes. Divide your perennials if you haven’t done so already, and plant any new shrubs/trees while the ground is still soft. Also make sure to keep watering any new plants until the ground freezes.

Tucking in for Winter

Fall is also the perfect time to mulch. Surround your plants with 2-3 inches of mulch/soil conditioner to protect your plants from the cold, help retain moisture, and prevent new weeds from sprouting. Just make sure you don’t actually cover any of your plants and block them from air and sunshine—this could cause them to rot. To learn more about the importance of mulch in the garden, check out this video from Moana Nursery in Reno:

I hope these gardening tips for October help you check some things off your to-do list. For additional Northern Nevada planting resources, be sure to check out some of our local nurseries. One of my favorites is Greenhouse Garden Center in Carson City.

P.S. Did you miss September’s gardening tips? If so, you can click here to get caught up!

Summer is almost over and kids are back to school—this year seems to be flying by! While the days are still quite hot, slightly cooler nights are hinting that it will soon be fall. As always, though, there are still things to do in the garden. Below you can find some helpful gardening tips for September.

Fall Planting

Fall is a great time for planting—one of the best times actually. This is because the cooler temperatures ease a lot of transplant shock. In addition, there is still some time for plant roots to take hold before the winter sets in. So take advantage of those early fall sales at the local Garden Centers if you’re looking to add some more trees or shrubs to your landscape.

Speaking of planting, it will be time to start planting your spring-flowering bulbs a little later this month (think crocus, tulips, daffodils and hyacinths)! Wildflowers, too, can be seeded in the fall. And don’t forget to divide and re-plant any of your perennial flowers that are getting too big.

The Harvest Continues

In the vegetable garden, continue harvesting the summer’s bounty to keep the plants productive. Make sure your winter squashes (pumpkin, butternut squash, etc) have a hard shell before picking them to ensure a longer storage life.

Gardening Tips for September: Lawn Care

Lastly, when it comes to your lawn, fall is an essential time to fertilize. This will allow it to overwinter nicely and start off strong in the spring. Re-seed bare areas so the new growth can get started before we start to see some major freezes. This will help prevent muddy areas in the winter too.

I hope these gardening tips for September help you check some things off your to-do list. For additional Northern Nevada planting resources, be sure to check out some of our local nurseries. One of my favorites is Greenhouse Garden Center in Carson City.

P.S. Did you miss August’s gardening tips? If so, you can click here to get caught up!

All this heat may be deterring you from working in the garden this month. Hopefully, however, your flowers and vegetables are thriving. As many gardeners know, there is always something to do in the garden no matter what the month. Unsure of what you should be doing? Below you can find some helpful gardening tips for August.

Take Stock and Prepare for Fall

August is a great time to take stock of your garden. For example, take note of what worked and what didn’t work. This will help you plan for the fall and next season. Add some more compost to give your plants a boost going into the autumn. As always, continue to make sure your garden is free of weeds. In addition, make sure to water thoroughly during the summer heat.

In the flower garden, be sure to keep deadheading your plants. This means removing the spent/dying flowers which will help them bloom longer. Dig up, divide, and replant your irises and make sure to order some spring bulbs. This way you’ll have them in time to plant this fall.

Prune and remove any dead branches on bushes and small trees. It is easier to distinguish them from the living branches right now. Once they go dormant you might need to wait until early spring.

Gardening Tips for August: Harvesting

In the vegetable garden, you can start harvesting some of your potatoes and melons. For melons, check for ripeness by looking at the stem. It should pull easily away from the fruit, for instance. Your squashes and tomatoes should be coming in quite nicely as well. So be sure to share some with your friends and neighbors if you can’t keep up!

Summer isn’t the end of the vegetable gardening season though. You can extend your harvest into the fall by planting more now. For example, you can fill in any empty spaces by planting crops such as peas, spinach, radishes, etc.

Most of all enjoy the fruits of your labor this month and be sure to take lots of pictures of your garden in full bloom!

I hope these gardening tips for August help you check some things off your to-do list. For additional Northern Nevada planting resources, be sure to check out some of our local nurseries. One of my favorites is Greenhouse Garden Center in Carson City.

P.S. Did you miss July’s gardening tips? If so, you can click here to get caught up!

As many garden lovers know, there is always something to do in the garden no matter what the month. Below you can find some helpful gardening tips for July.

Watering in the High Desert

Summer is here! In the high desert we don’t always see a lot of rainfall. As a result, it’s essential to make sure your plants get enough water. They need at least 1″ of water a week and even more if it’s hot and dry (hello Nevada!). Make sure you are watering deeply which will encourage the plants’ roots to grow deep. Test the soil moistness by digging down with a small spade 2-3″ near your plants. For your potted plants, water them every day and possibly twice-a-day if it’s a real scorcher.

Gardening Tips for July: Harvesting

It’s now time to reap the benefits of your rewards! Be sure to harvest produce as soon as it’s ready in order to prevent unwanted pests in your garden. Net your fruit trees and berry bushes in order to deter the birds from eating the ripe fruit before you. If you planted garlic last fall, it should be just about ready to harvest. You might also be able to start harvesting some early potatoes. Check them gently so as not to disturb the plants too much.

Season Extension & Maintenance

Your vegetable garden and annual flowers produce a lot in one season. As a result, they will need fertilizer again this month. Once you’ve harvested your berries, it’s a good time to give them some extra fertilizer as well. Any later than this and their foliage will continue to grow into the fall. To extend your garden a little longer this season, be sure to plant your fall crops now. Think broccoli raab, chard, lettuce, peas, spinach, etc. 

Continue deadheading your flowers to extend their life. Prune summer flowering shrubs as they fade to help them store more energy. It is tempting to plant new flowers and shrubs right now but hold off until the fall if you can. The heat makes transplanting quite stressful for the plants. If you do plant anything, be sure to do it in the early morning or evening. The cooler temperatures will help ease transplant shock.

Gardening maintenance is a never-ending cycle (don’t forget to pull those pesky weeds!). However, you can really start to enjoy all the hard work you’ve put into your yard now. Cheers to that!

I hope these gardening tips for July help you check some things off your to-do list. For additional Northern Nevada planting resources, be sure to check out some of our local nurseries. One of my favorites is Greenhouse Garden Center in Carson City.

P.S. Did you miss June’s gardening tips? Click here to get caught up!

Summer is almost upon us, our beloved Carson Valley Days is just around the corner, and the hanging flower baskets in town have been installed. There is lots to do in the garden this month. So below you will find a few key gardening tips for June to help get you going.

Pests

With the weather heating up, you may start to notice pests in your garden, so be sure to keep on top of them. Aphids, for example, can really get out of hand—head to your local nursery for some live lady bugs to keep them in check.

June Gardening Tips: Deadheading

The roses have started to bloom and we’re seeing beautiful pink Evening Primrose popping up all over town. Be sure to “deadhead” your flowers to extend their bloom time. Otherwise they will start to set seed as if it’s the end of the season. All you need to do is pinch or cut off old flower blooms as they die off.

Fertilizing & Lawn Care

Your vegetable garden and lawn could probably use another dose of fertilizer. They are heavy feeders and can deplete the soil quickly of its nutrients.

Speaking of your lawn, it’s best to water early in the morning as opposed to the evening. This helps prevent fungus from developing. In addition, aim for longer, less-frequent waterings, as opposed to short, daily waterings. This will help encourage the roots to grow deeper for a stronger and healthier lawn.

I hope these gardening tips for June help you check some things off your to-do list. In addition, for more information on what you can do in the garden in June, check out this article from The Spruce. For additional Northern Nevada planting resources, be sure to check out some of our local nurseries. One of my favorites is Greenhouse Garden Center in Carson City.

P.S. Did you miss May’s gardening tips? Click here and get caught up.

Spring is in full swing and the Valley is greening up quite nicely. It’s becoming easier to tell what needs to be done in the garden because it all starts staring us in the face. The weeds are sprouting up like there’s no tomorrow, and many flowers and vegetables are demanding attention. So it’s time to weed and feed! Keep reading for more gardening tips for May.

Spring Cleanup

The spring flowers, such as daffodils and tulips, are beginning to die down. You can cut off the dead blossoms, but be sure not to cut the leaves until they have turned yellow. This will allow the plant to collect sunshine and nutrients for next year’s blossoms. As your perennials start to come up, be sure to divide up the clumps and re-plant or share some with a friend. Also, if you want to add any new plants to your garden, now is a great time to visit a nursery while the picking is prime.

In the Vegetable Garden

For your vegetable garden, it might be time to start thinning your winter crops (such as carrots and lettuce) depending on how big they are. Keep earthing-up your potatoes us they grow taller. You can also start hardening off your summer plants (tomatoes, peppers, etc) to prepare them for planting. If you decide to plant them this month, just be prepared to cover them on cold nights. This area historically has late freezes, and some say to wait until Carson Valley Days to plant your tomatoes (2nd weekend in June). Sometimes the excitement of spring takes over and we just can’t wait that long!

I hope these gardening tips for May help you check some things off your to-do list. In addition, for more information on what you can do in the garden in May, check out this article from The Spruce. For additional Northern Nevada planting resources, be sure to check out some of our local nurseries. One of my favorites is Greenhouse Garden Center in Carson City.

P.S. Did you miss April’s gardening tips? Click here and get caught up.

Spring is finally here, and if the date on the calendar isn’t enough to prove it, the gorgeous weather we’ve been having certainly is! Soon the trees will be blossoming and the daffodils will be making their presence known. Gardening is a great way to get some fresh air, sunshine, and exercise all at the same time. So what do you say? Grab your garden gloves and your sunhat and let’s get to it with the following gardening tips for April!

Fertilize and Amend

For starters, spring is a time of immense growth for your plants. So it’s important to make sure you fertilize your lawn, shrubs, and trees. You can also aerate or de-thatch your lawn and re-seed to fill in any sparse patches. Not up for this challenge? Don’t worry, I have a great landscape professional I can recommend—just give me a call!

If you haven’t done so already, start preparing your vegetable garden for planting. Amend the soil with a good compost and making sure the area is free of weeds (get to them while they’re still small and before they go to seed!).

Planting

Once your beds are ready, start planting! Cool season crops, such as lettuce, peas, carrots, radishes, and green onions can go straight in the ground.

With the temperatures rising, the soil should now be workable, making April the perfect time to plant new trees and shrubs as well. This way you’ll get the best selection at the local nurseries and your plants will have time to develop their roots early and really settle into Spring. Happy gardening!

I hope these gardening tips for April help you check some things off your to-do list. In addition, for more information on what you can do in the garden in April, check out this article from The Spruce. For additional Northern Nevada planting resources, be sure to check out some of our local nurseries. One of my favorites is Greenhouse Garden Center in Carson City.

P.S. Did you miss March’s gardening tips? Click here to get caught up.

We have been getting so much snow lately, it seems like winter will never end. I can’t help but get excited about getting back in the garden, though, every time we have a sunny day. While spring isn’t officially here until the 20th, and continued snowstorms are always a possibility, there are still a few things we can do in the garden to prepare for the growing season ahead.

Preparing for Spring

If you didn’t do it last month, make sure to prune your fruit trees and shrubs—you’ll want to get this done before things start budding out. There’s also still time to spray your trees and shrubs with dormant oil to tackle any bugs that have been overwintering in them. Have a look around your yard and garden too for weeds that might be starting to pop up. Try to pull them up while they’re still small and before they really start to take hold. Make sure you use a pre-emergent now too if you didn’t do so in February.

Gardening Tips for March: Planting

March is also an exciting time in the garden because it’s very possible you might be able to start planting. Once the soil is workable, you can start planting your favorite cool-season crops straight in the ground. Think carrots, peas, lettuce, cabbage, onions, and more! Make sure to amend all of your garden beds with some compost or fertilizer as well. This will give your plants the extra boost they need to grow strong and healthy.

I hope these gardening tips for March help you check some things off your to-do list. In addition, for more information on what you can do in the garden in March, check out this article from The Spruce. For additional Northern Nevada planting resources, be sure to check out some of our local nurseries. One of my favorites is Greenhouse Garden Center in Carson City. Spring will officially be here this month!

P.S. Did you miss February’s gardening tips? Click here to get caught up.