The University of Nevada, Reno announced on Apr. 22 that several plant sales featuring locally grown plants will take place in the coming weeks to support area gardeners and university programs. These events will offer a variety of vegetables, annuals, perennials, and organic plants cultivated by staff and volunteers from the University’s Extension Master Gardener Program and the Experiment Station’s Desert Farming Initiative.
The plant sales are important for both community members looking to enhance their gardens with climate-adapted plants and for supporting education, research, and outreach focused on gardening, food security, nutrition, and agriculture in Northern Nevada.
Rachel McClure, Master Gardener coordinator in Washoe County, said “The Master Gardener Program is primarily self-funded, and this initiative is one of the key ways we finance our efforts.” The first sale will be held at Extension’s office in Washoe County at 4955 Energy Way on May 15 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., continuing May 16 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., offering vegetables as well as annuals and perennials.
On May 16 from 8 a.m. to noon at the Great Basin Community Food Cooperative Seedling Sale (240 Court St., Reno), the Desert Farming Initiative will sell organic plants. Jill Moe, director of the program said “We’re encouraging our gardeners to embrace their inner-plant nerd,” adding that pairs of tomato plants—one regular San Marzano and one grafted onto a different rootstock for higher yield—will be available alongside other unique offerings like seedless watermelon bundles.
Additional events include perennial native & adaptive plant sales in Minden on May 15-16 with special presale access for ticket holders seeking guidance from certified Master Gardeners. Carson City will host a native pollinator-friendly landscape plant sale at its Community Garden on May 31.
Gardeners can also access pest management advice through Extension’s Pest Solutions website or seek help directly from Master Gardeners online or at farmers markets throughout spring and summer.