With such mild winter weather, many of us are already getting that gardening itch. University of Nevada, Reno Extension is ready to help. Extension is kicking off its “Gardening in Nevada: The Bartley Ranch Series” weekly workshops in Reno next week on Feb. 3 to help both new and experienced gardeners hone their gardening skills.

Led by Extension and their certified Master Gardeners and offered in partnership with Washoe County Regional Parks and Open Space, these classes are free and run 6 – 8 p.m., every Tuesday, Feb. 3 through March 31, at Bartley Ranch Regional Park, 6000 Bartley Ranch Road in Reno.

“From those who are interested in vegetable gardening or growing flowers for bouquets, to those wanting to replace their lawns with other landscaping, these classes are great for anyone who wants to learn from experienced Master Gardeners, who live, grow and harvest in our northern Nevada area,”  Rachel McClure, Master Gardener coordinator for Extension in Washoe County, said.

All classes are taught by certified Extension staff or Master Gardener volunteers. Classes are free, but the Master Gardeners ask those attending to consider bringing a canned food item for the Food Bank of Northern Nevada and to register online for each class they plan to attend. Classes include: 

• Feb. 3: Seeds: Collect Them, Save Them, Grow Them, presented by Bryn Lapenta and Liz Morrow
• Feb. 10: Vertebrate Pest Management, presented by Melody Hefner
• Feb. 17: Spring Pruning of Woody Shrubs, presented by Sheri Elena Quin and Linda Fulton
• Feb. 24: The Cut Flower Garden, presented by Deborah Henderson
• March 3: All About Tomatoes, presented by Jeff Curtis
• March 10: Landscaping With Native and Adaptive Plants for Beauty and Pollinator Habitats, presented by Jill Strawder-Bubala
• March 17: Container Gardening, presented by Deborah Whitehouse and Angela White
• March 24: Alternatives to Front Yard Lawns, presented by Mark Humphreys
• March 31: Successful Vegetable Gardening, presented by Randy Robison

Those with questions about the Gardening in Nevada workshops should email McClure. Persons planning to attend a session who may need special accommodations or assistance should email Paul Lessick, civil rights and compliance coordinator, or call him at 702-257-5577 at least five days prior to the scheduled event with their needs or for more information.

Those with gardening questions may also email the Master Gardeners, call them at 775-784-4848 or visit the Master Gardener help desk at the Extension office in Reno at 4955 Energy Way, 10 a.m. – 2 pm., Tuesdays – Thursdays.