Gardens, Trees, and Landscapes | Extension | University of Nevada, Reno

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

Reducing Lawn with Buffer Strips

If you’d love to keep your lawn but are tired of some of their maintenance headaches and are looking for an eco-friendlier option that will conserve water and prevent water pollution, we have the perfect solution for you – buffer strips!

People shopping for pesticide products in a hardware store.

Pesticide Labels Explained

Tips for considering when to use a pesticide and the basics of reading pesticide labels.

Creeping thyme groundcover makes a good lawn alternative.

Lawn Alternatives for Northern Nevada

Northern Nevada is a high desert climate, so traditional lawns require a lot of water and maintenance here. If you're looking for a more water-efficient and low-maintenance option for your yard, here are a few ideas to get you started.

Featured Programs

Master Gardeners of Washoe County

Master Gardeners of Nevada

Carson City Community Garden

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 Community Garden began in 2001 and allows community members who don’t have room for a vegetable garden to rent a 4-by-16-foot garden bed for $40 a season at a 25-bed garden complex located at 1044 Beverly Drive, Carson City, NV. Applications open in 2024!

Commercial Landscape Horticulture

Classes offer training for green industry workers, including some bilingual classes, on how to landscape in the Nevada desert

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.

Desert-Adapted/Native Plants Garden

The Desert-Adapted/Native Plants Garden is located at the Extension, Clark County Logandale Office. It is designed to show people what trees, shrubs and other plants grow well locally. It is set up for self-guided tours. Enjoy the black locust, honey locust, sweet acacia, shoestring acacia, chir pine, forest pansy redbud, chaste tree, coolibah eucalyptus, golden rain and a lacebark Chinese elm trees.

Garden-based Nutrition Education

Garden-based nutrition education efforts throughout the lifespan empower participants of all ages to grow their own affordable, nutrient-dense food. Garden sites include schools, residential centers, and parks & recreation facilities in order to serve a wide range of populations including preschoolers, women under correctional supervision, and older adults. We believe that gar

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

Grow Your Own, Nevada!

Learn the secrets of high desert gardening

Pink, yellow, and purple native flowers in landscape surrounded by rock terrace landscaping

Home Horticulture Certificate Program

The Home Horticulture Certificate Program was developed by the University of Nevada, Reno Extension Horticulture team to provide basic horticulture education to homeowners, educators, and anyone interested in learning more about the Nevada landscapes, plants, and more.

ladybug larva eating aphids on a pepper plant

Integrated Pest Management

Integrated Pest Management program is a long-term management strategy that uses a combination of tactics to reduce pests to tolerable levels with potentially lower costs for the pest manager and minimal effect on the environment.

Master Gardener Native Plants Demonstration Garden

Members of the Master Gardeners of Washoe County's Native Plants Committee maintain a small demonstration garden on the west side of Extension, Washoe County Office.

Master Gardeners of Clark County

Serving Clark, Lincoln and Southern Nye counties gardening needs.

Master Gardeners of Nevada

Program trains local gardeners to provide research-based horticulture information to Nevadans

Master Gardeners of Washoe County

Master Gardeners provide free, research-based horticulture information to Nevadans.

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. Implementation of the curriculum meets the needs of people already working in the industry. In addition to these goals, training will be translated into money savings for the

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.

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

Master Gardener taking grape inspection notes on a clipboard

Research Center & Demonstration Orchard

Researching new varieties of fruit producing trees, vines and other plant materials in sustainable ways for the Mojave Desert climate.

Weed Prevention & Management

Integrated weed management is based on economically viable and environmentally friendly weed management tactics that combine use of herbicides with other control tactics, such as mowing, burning, tillage, grazing and re-vegetation. By taking steps to prevent weed invasion, land owners/managers and other stakeholders can avoid the economic and environmental impacts of noxious and invasive weeds.

Weed Warriors Invasive Weed Training

The Weed Warriors program tackles the growing problem of weeds on public and private land.

Related News Articles, Fact Sheets, Reports...


*"The Good Weed Series: Purslane (Portulaca oleraceav), Desert Gardening in Southern Nevada, Blog Posts 21-01* The Master Gardener Volunteers of Southern Nevada provides horticultural information on gardens, landscapes, plants and other related topics. This blog post is one of many resources of information available to the public to help accomplish this mission. Deever, D. 2021, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno
*4- Frost Hardy Vegetables to Plant with Almost no heat in your greenhouse* When you are living in a hardiness zone that goes below 0 °C (32 °F), you know that you need to bear in mind which crops can withstand growing in your neck of the woods during the cold months. As a market gardener considering season extension, choosing frost-hardy vegetables for winter growing is essential! Beaulieubastien, R. 2021, Market Gardener Institute
*A Compilation of Good Plant Choices for Nevada’s High Fire Hazard Areas* This special publication shows Nevada's climate zones and contains sever tables that display plants that can flourish in Nevada's high fire hazard areas. Smith, E. amd Sistare, S. 2005, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, SP-05-16
*A dreamy moonlight garden* Plants and objects to use in a moonlight garden design. Fisher, J. 2018, Reno Gazette Journal
*A Guide to Desert Bioscape* This publication will help the reader understand how to garden more efficiently in the Mojave Desert and in other dry areas. Beautiful yards and landscapes can be created while applying environmentally friendly principles. Putting these principles into use will help conserve water in one of the driest spots on earth. Robinson, M.L., Johnson, W.S., Post, R.L., and Carlos, W.J. 2004, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, SP-04-12
*A Northern Nevada Homeowner's Guide to Identifying and Managing Prickly Lettuce* This fact sheet provides identification and management methods for the nuisance weed prickly lettuce. Donaldson, S. and Hanson Mazet, W. 2010, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, FS-10-28
*A Northern Nevada Homeowner's Guide to Identifying and Managing: Carpenter Ants* Carpenter ants are some of the largest ants found in the United States. They are capable of damaging compromised wood in buildings and are there for important to identify and monitor quickly. Andrews, M., Hanson Mazet, W., and Kratsch, H. 2023, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, FS-23-30
*A Northern Nevada Homeowner's Guide to Identifying and Managing: Harvester Ants* Harvester ants have large ant hill that are capable of reaching 12 feet in diameter and 3 feet deep. Harvester ants only become aggressive when disturbed and are capable of stinking. They do no invade homes, but are pests of lawns and gardens. Andrews, M., Hanson Mazet, W., and Kratsch, H. 2023, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, FS-23-32
*A Northern Nevada Homeowner's Guide to Identifying and Managing: Tobacco and Tomato Hornworms* Tobacco and tomato hornworms are one of the hungriest garden pest out there! Have you noticed your tomato plant rapidly losing leaves but don't see any culprits, most likely a tobacco or tomato hornworm are to blame. Andrews, M., Hanson Mazet, W., and Kratsch, H. 2023, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, FS-23-33
*A Northern Nevada Homeowner's Guide to Identifying and Managing: White-lined Sphinx Moth* Have you noticed a moth that hovers around you plants, darting from one to another that looks similar to a hummingbird? Or maybe you've noticed some hungry caterpillars eating your roses, lilacs, or fuchsia. Most likely those hungry caterpillars are destine to become white-lined sphinx moths. Andrews, M., Hanson Mazet, W., and Kratsch, H. 2023, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, FS-23-21
*A Northern Nevada Homeowner’s Guide to Identifying and Managing Annual Bursage* This fact sheet contains information on identifying and managing annual bursage for a northern Nevada homeowner. Learn more about the properties of the plant such as the life cycle, reproduction, control methods, etc. Donaldson, S. and Hanson Mazet, W. 2011, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-11-64
*A Northern Nevada Homeowner’s Guide to Identifying and Managing Black Medic* This fact sheet contains information on black medic to help homeowners identify and manage the plant. Learn more about the plant and the control methods to maintain the plant. Donaldson, S. and Hanson Mazet, W. 2013, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-13-13
*A Northern Nevada Homeowner’s Guide to Identifying and Managing Blue Mustard* This fact sheet contains information on ways to identify and manage blue mustard. Learn interesting facts about the plant and the control methods to manage the plant. Donaldson, S. and Hanson Mazet, W. 2011, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-11-61
*A Northern Nevada Homeowner’s Guide to Identifying and Managing Broadleaf Plantain* This fact sheet contains information on ways to identify and manage broadleaf plantain for homeowners. Learn more about the plant by reading about the properties such as the life cycle, reproduction, control methods, etc. Donaldson, S. and Hanson Mazet, W. 2010, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-10-17
*A Northern Nevada Homeowner’s Guide to Identifying and Managing Buckhorn Plantain* This fact sheet contains information on ways to identify and manage buckhorn plantain for homeowners. Learn more about the plant properties such as the life cycle, reproduction, control methods, and many more. Donaldson, S. and Hanson Mazet, W. 2010, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-10-18
*A Northern Nevada Homeowner’s Guide to Identifying and Managing Bull Thistle* This fact sheet contains information on ways to identify and manage null thistle for homeowners. Learn more about the different properties of the plant such as the life cycle reproduction, control methods, and many more. Donaldson, S. and Hanson Mazet, W. 2010, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-10-19
*A Northern Nevada Homeowner’s Guide to Identifying and Managing Bur Buttercup* This fact sheet contains information on ways to identify and manage bur buttercup for homeowners. Learn more about the plant properties such as life cycle, reproduction, control methods, and more. Donaldson, S. and Hanson Mazet, W. 2010, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-10-20
*A Northern Nevada Homeowner’s Guide to Identifying and Managing Chicory* Chicory grows up to 3 or more feet tall, with most of the leaves growing at the base of the plant. This gives a skeleton-like appearance to the upper part of the plant. The leaves have been used as salad greens, and the root as a coffee substitute. Learn more about Chicory in this fact sheet. Donaldson, S. and Hanson Mazet, W. 2013, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-13-10
*A Northern Nevada Homeowner’s Guide to Identifying and Managing Common Cocklebur* This fact sheet contains information on ways to maintain and control cocklebur. Learn more about the plant by reading an in-depth guide on the features of the plant and control methods. Donaldson, S. and Hanson Mazet, W. 2013, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-13-11
*A Northern Nevada Homeowner’s Guide to Identifying and Managing Common Lambsquarters* This fact sheet contains information on ways to identify and manage common lamsquarters. Learn many things about the plant such as the life cycle, reproduction, control methods, etc. Donaldson, S. and Hanson Mazet, W. 2011, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-11-63

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