It's December, so winter is right around the corner, and with it comes a respite from the blistering heat. It's the same for our plants. Winter in southern Nevada is the perfect time for gardeners and other budding horticulturalists to get out there and start playing in the dirt.
According to Norm Schilling, horticulturalist and host of Nevada Public Radio's Desert Bloom podcast, now is an especially good time to get fruit trees into the ground.
"Cooler weather gives these plants a chance to establish and build roots system," said Schilling. "What you want to do is get them in the ground earlier rather than later. So that when summer heat does come, which is typically for most species the most challenging time you get them in the ground, they have eight or nine months to establish root system prior to really getting blasted with the heat."
Of course, that's not true of all species. Cacti and other succulents require warmer soil temperatures. However, southern Nevada's mild winters allow residents the option to plant pretty much year-round.
It's also an excellent time to think about yard maintenance, like pruning trees and rose bushes.
"Now's a good time of year to prune trees, especially for plants that are dormant," said Schilling. "It's a good time to go through and, and check irrigation systems."
Schilling also told State of Nevada that the later winter months are an excellent time to consider using a pre-emergent herbicide in areas where weeds have
"You water it [and] it creates a mild layer of herbicide about an inch into the soil," he said. "So, when those little weed seeds germinate and that embryo that embryonic plant comes out, it contacts that mild herbicide, it's very delicate, it dies before it shows up."
Lastly, Schilling recommends that anyone concerned about the health of their outdoor planters bring them closer to the house. That's because wind often threatens plants more than cold temperatures alone.
"Wind is one of the things that causes plants to lose their internal temperatures [and] decrease more rapidly," said Schilling. "So, if it's in a protected location from the wind, that helps. If it's up next to the house or under a patio, then it's much more protected from the winds and it's also going to get a little bit of lost heat from the house itself."
Guests: Norm Schilling, owner, Schilling Horticulture
