Mountain and desert gardening

Mountain horticulture and high-altitude gardening

The High Sierra shares many characteristics with other high-altitude areas, and gardeners face many of the same challenges. As we continue to develop our own resources for Eastern Sierra gardeners, we look to resources from university extension departments in states with similar climates and ecosystems, such as: Colorado State University; University of Idaho; University of Nevada; New Mexico State; and the University of Arizona.

High-Altitude Lawn Care - August 2012 presentation by Inyo & Mono Master Gardener program
Mountain gardening basics
Mountain horticulture
Garden strategies for short-season, high-altitude zones
List of publications for short-season high-altitude gardening
Frost protection and extending the growing season
Vegetable planting guide from Colorado State
High-elevation horticulture publications from Univ. of AZ - growing flowers, fruit trees, veggies, trees from 3,500 ft up. Lots of info on growing at 6,000 ft and up, also water-wise tips.

Great Basin gardening

Grow Your Own: Weekly Steps to a Great Vegetable Garden. This 15-part series from the University of Nevada, Reno Cooperative Extension consists of 2-page info sheets on topics such as planting from seed, dealing with our challenging soils, composting, irrigation, and much, much more. Each info sheet has links to videos and other resources.
University of Nevada, Reno Cooperative Extension. Info on UNR's Master Gardener and horticulture programs, including community gardens, water-efficient demonstration gardens, school gardens program, and producer-to-chef program.
Western Nevada College's Specialty Crops Institute. An innovative program to provide training for alternative farming methods and for high-desert agriculture unique to Nevada and surrounding regions. Offers workshops that combine classroom training with on-farm experiences. Instructors are selected on a local and national basis to include the best of industry experts, successful producers and educators.
Nevada Grown. See what our neighbors are up to! NevadaGrown is a nonprofit Nevada corporation whose mission is to foster the success of sustainable agriculture and to encourage healthy eating for Nevada's communities through education, support and promotion.

Desert gardening

Desert gardening info from the University of AZ - searchable archives from 1998 to the present. newsletter
Frost protection in desert climates. All those early flowers on your fruit trees making you nervous? Keep them well irrigated and cover properly at night, plus more tips.
Drought management in desert landscapes. 10 tips on how (and when and how much) to water in times of drought. Your plants will thank you!
Growing fruit in the Mojave Desert. From the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension.

Soil Info

A comprehensive resource on the soils of the Owens Valley, from Benton to Owens Lake. BentonOwensValleySoilSurvey