Gardening in Nevada can be challenging. Before digging in this spring, you can get some free advice from the experts - University of Nevada Cooperative Extension and their Certified Master Gardeners. Cooperative Extension has teamed up with Washoe County Regional Parks and Open Space to offer "Gardening in Nevada: The Bartley Ranch Series." Classes are free and run 6 - 8 p.m. every Tuesday, Feb. 3 - March 31, at Bartley Ranch Regional Park, 6000 Bartley Ranch Road in Reno.

The classes are taught by Cooperative Extension horticulturists and experts, and Cooperative Extension's certified Master Gardener volunteers. Classes include:

- Feb. 3: Selecting and Caring for Fruit Trees - Certified Arborist and Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Michael Janik, who grows more than 100 varieties of fruit trees in northern Nevada, gives tips on fruit tree selection, planting and maintenance.

- Feb.10: Pollinators for the Home Garden - Rail City Garden Center Owner Pawl Hollis teaches the basics of identifying and encouraging native pollinators to help produce bountiful harvests in the garden and landscape.

- Feb. 17: Selecting Appropriate Shade Plants - Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Rod Haulenbeek discusses choosing appropriate plants to grow in low-sunlight areas while adding variety, color and texture to focus attention, create habitats or hide private areas.

- Feb. 24: Growing Succulent Succulents - Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Liz Morrow teaches about the vast selection, growing conditions, care and maintenance of well-suited succulents for our area.

- March 3: Training and Pruning Fruit Trees - Certified Arborist and Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Michael Janik discusses the basics of fruit tree pruning, pruning to maximize production and the art of espalier (training fruit trees to grow on trellises or against a flat surface).

- March 10: Paying it Forward Through Sustainable Gardening - Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Pamela Van Hoozer teaches how to plan a garden to provide sustenance and nourishment, as well as how to practice sustainable gardening to preserve the environment.

- March 17: GMOs: Facts and Fallacies - Cooperative Extension Horticulture Specialist Heidi Kratsch teaches about genetic modification and the current GMO (genetically modified organism) crops on the market.

- March 24: Successful Vegetable Gardening Part 1 - Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Randy Robison teaches soil preparation, composting and how crop success starts by feeding the soil.

- March 31: Successful Vegetable Gardening Part 2 - Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Randy Robison teaches about how he produces abundant crops and shares tips on improving garden soil, crop rotation, companion planting and gardening in raised beds.

For more information on "Gardening in Nevada: The Bartley Ranch Series," or for general horticultural inquiries, contact University of Nevada Cooperative Extension at 775-784-4848 or mastergardeners@unce.unr.edu, or visit www.unce.unr.edu. Persons in need of special accommodations or assistance should call at least three days prior to the scheduled event.