Take advantage of information at cooperative extension office

GARDNERVILLE, Nev.

by Sharlene Irete

sirete@recordcourier.com

Tough economic times inspire people to be like their agrarian ancestors and grow their own food. First-timers to more experienced gardeners may all benefit from the information available at the University of Nevada, Reno, Cooperative Extension.

The Gardnerville extension office is at 1329 Waterloo Lane, across the street from Lampe Park. Master gardeners and resource specialists are on hand to give information on community programs and workshops.

"You can find out about horticulture and the literature is in English and Spanish," said master gardener and senior secretary Lena Johnstone, who works in the extension office. "You can find out what to plant, and what varieties of plants grow well here. There's different varieties of vegetables and fruit trees and you need to consider the length of the growing season.

"You can find out about fire-resistant vegetation, check out videos on gardening," she said. "People bring in a sample of their trees to diagnose what pests caused the damage."

Residents may pick up hand-outs and booklets on 4-H programs, living with fire, radon, water testing for well owners, pastures and small ranches, cattlemen's update on beef quality, food and nutrition, drip irrigation systems, weed and garden pest identification and landscaping.

Information from the University of Nevada system is available to youth, families and seniors through the cooperative extension, www.unce.unr.edu or 782-9960.