Outdoors

This morning I heard “Farmer Deb” from Urban Roots on KUNR. Urban Roots is a non-profit teaching farm in Reno that strives to change the way communities eat and learn through garden-based education. “Farmer Deb” was talking about the physical and mental health benefits of horticulture therapy gardening for those with Alzheimer’s as well as overall benefits of gardening for folks in general.

The Nevada Department of Wildlife has announced Kristy Knight as the Department’s new Chief Game Warden. In this position, Knight will oversee over 50 members of the Law Enforcement Division, including 40 game wardens.

Driving down Highway 50 from work, just happen to catch this reminder of the beauty of the Carson Valley.

This photo was taken Sunday from Carson Now reader Janis Brandenburg Lee. Have a photo or photos to contribute? Upload it here and we'll share it with our readers.

It finally stopped snowing and then the rain started. Empire Ranch Golf Course in Carson City is adjacent to the Carson River and with all the rain and show melt the snow on the course has been replaced by too much water. Scroll and click on each photo to enlarge.

On Saturday, March 18, 2023, Capitol City Gun Club in Carson City will host a swap meet at the club house from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Club members may reserve tables, but space is limited.

Due to an extremely inclement weather forecast for Sunday, March 12, 2023, the Capitol City Gun Club Board of Directors has canceled the St. Patrick’s Corned Beef and Cabbage Fun Shoot. The Board will plan an alternate event, date to be determined. Please check our website https://www.capitolcitygunclub.org/, for a future announcement.

With 24 inches of snow on the ground as I write this, it is hard to believe it’s almost time to plant cool season crops. Some, such as kale, go in four weeks to five weeks before the last frost and others, including beets, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, radishes, rutabagas and turnips can be planted two weeks to three weeks prior.

Snow storm piles snow halfway up a young peach tree.

A beautiful sunny day near Genoa. Clear blue skies, very little wind after the recent snow storms.

Aerial shot above Indian Hills near Carson City, NV. A unique perspective of all the snow that fell this week in the valley. Photos is facing West towards the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range.

I took a little drive this morning near Genoa and this is one of the views I couldn't resist. The Carson River with Sierra Nevada just east of Genoa.

Buried beneath an ever-deepening blanket of snow over the Lake Tahoe Basin lie more than 580 miles of official dirt trails that provide recreation, transportation, fitness and fun. For the first time ever, a coalition of Tahoe partners have developed a Tahoe Regional Trails Strategy to take a basin-wide perspective to trail planning and building.

Sunrise on Monday morning before the snow starts flying.

Wild mustangs at Washoe Lake.

Those driving by the intersection of Lake Tahoe and Al Tahoe Boulevards in South Lake Tahoe over the past few months may have noticed the old office building at the corner under construction.

I keep hearing about regenerative agriculture. Regenerative agriculture is an approach to land management and also a philosophy of life. The goal of RA practitioners is to promote agriculture that, while productive, is also in harmony with nature and that builds soil health and productivity.

I often notice horticulture claims that will supposedly benefit plants as I read the news. Two caught my attention this past week: use baking soda to control leaf and root diseases and coffee grounds to make plants healthy. I wanted to explore the science behind these assertions, so I turned to my favorite urban horticulture researcher and myth debunker, Linda Chalker-Scott. Ph.D., at Washington State University.

Carson Now reader Brian Andrews submitted this wonderful photo of a herd of deer at sunrise.

On Sunday, February 12, 2023, Capitol City Gun Club in Carson City, NV will host a Valentine’s Fun Shoot from 9:00am to 4:30pm. The Club is located at 3590 Arrowhead Drive - Call (775) 882-9904 for details. Target fees will be discounted all day. Everyone is invited to come!

A report from the USDA Forest Service reveals about 36.3 million trees across 2.6 million acres of federal, state and private land died in California in 2022.

As each year starts, landscape designers come out with their new trends. While I always check them out, they generally amuse me. Too often the “new trends” are things that are making a comeback or are tried and true gardening techniques.

Carson Now reader Eleanor Bernsten sent in this great photo of a young buck, who she dubbed Mr. Buck, enjoying a cold winter’s snack at one of her bird feeders.

Have you a photo you’d like to share? Submit it here for a chance to be featured!

Back by popular demand! The beginning beekeeping workshop will be held on February 10 and 11 at Adams Hub for Innovation, Carson City. As usual, there is a great line-up of speakers and topics.

Topics include everything from bee anatomy, equipment, and hive inspections, to diseases and pests, planting for pollinators, and treasures and tastings from the hive.

Lindsay Chichester, Douglas County Extension Educator, and fourth-year beekeeper is excited to provide this educational opportunity to new beekeepers to teach them the foundation needed for beekeeping.

Carson Fly Fishing Club's Monthly Meeting is Tuesday, February 14, 7 p.m. in the Ormsby Room of the Carson City Sheriff's Office, 911 East Musser Street.

This meeting will feature Russ Vezzali presentation about Euro Nymphing. The public is welcome to attend. For more information contact: Stan Zuber 671-2151

With Washoe Lake frozen over, local wildlife, including a couple coyotes and some feathered ones, take advantage of the sunshine.

Conditions and weather permitting, Tahoe Fire & Fuels Team members may continue prescribed fire operations this week at Lake Tahoe. The Nevada Division of Forestry is scheduled to burn hand piles near Incline Village. Smoke will be present.

Chickadee Ridge overlooking Lake Tahoe has become a popular snowshoe and cross-country ski destination for people hoping to experience feeding the tiny black-capped birds, often from the palm of one’s hand. New research from the University of Nevada, Reno shows the activity has no negative impact on the species as long as a few simple rules are followed.

On Monday evening Mars was once again behind the moon. In the southern US Mars was occulted by the moon while here in Carson City, Mars could be seen to skin by just above.

Over the past few weeks, storm after storm has rolled through the Sierra Nevada mountains and the Great Basin, dropping much-needed rain and heavy snow from Reno to Elko. But despite all the welcome precipitation, the state still faces drought conditions after back-to-back dry years.