Master Gardener Orchard

I love this place, I go here whenever I can to get free mulch for my garden! The workers/volunteers are extremely helpful, esp if you want mulch in bulk. They will use their own tools to help out loading your truck so you don't have to shovel all of that yourself. I haven't actually gone inside the orchard to see what they have, but it looks so nice in there and there's a lot to see!! I'm excited for my next trip there.

This is a great hidden secret in the valley!!!! The place is run by the University of Nevada at Reno. It's a test field for creating better crops for arid regions of the world that do not need to rely on as much water in order to create better production. A family member of mine, got her degree as a Master Gardener and did a majority of her time working at this place. So knowing family was here, I'd say it's a valuable location to come to.Let's say you are wanting to know how to get a garden growing in your yard - you have tried and everything has turned into charred leaves and stalks with no crops or flowers. Well - you can learn from the Master Gardeners just how to make that backyard garden flourish and thrive with productivity or even just to keep it alive! Spend a little time working with these folks, you can learn how to DIY your own backyard to make it a thriving location and learn when the best time to pick fruits and veggies off the vines and trees. In addition volunteering with these folks you can take fresh produce home (they will be bird pecked or bruised, don't expect perfection) at no charge. And even if you don't want to vounteer your time, and just want to pick up some nice fresh produce - well you can certainly buy what they have in supply as it is in season. Don't expect to just pick it yourself though. They are pretty restrictive about that.Prices for their produce are fairly reasonable. All proceeds from the food sales are directed back into the costs for all the work involved in keeping the farm running. Cash only.Their hours are restricted to Tuesdays and Thursdays. You will know if they are open when you see the gate open. You have to park on the side of the street as there is no true parking lot.

I went here today to check it out. There was a VERY mean lady who scolded me for having my dog on the property. She was an aging older lady battered looking with wrinkles. I walked into the greenhouse and she was watering the buckets. She raised her voice to me and said, "GET THAT DOG OUT OF HERE! DOGS ARE NOT ALLOWED ON THE PROPERTY, DIDN'T YOU SEE THE SIGN WHEN YOU DROVE IN!" I told her that I will pick up the dog. She said, "NO! I DON'T WANT IT HERE!" My dog is a 5 pound dog. And is a service dog. She didn't bother asking me if it were a service dog. She just yelled at me and kicked me out. She actually was willing to hurt dogs and force me to put it in the hot car! Come to find out she was a volunteer! She should NEVER tell anybody to leave the property with their dogs. There were others there with dogs in their trucks and she should of NEVER bossed me around.

Too bad about the one-star review of this orchard, apparently prompted solely by hurt feelings. That really wasn't fair. What matters is the quality of the product. I have not availed myself of the orchard's master gardener expertise (I have no place to start a garden), but the produce is some of the best that can be found in the valley. Giant garlic of various varieties. Pomegranates. Peaches. Tomatoes during tomato season? As good as my grandmother used to grow. That's a rare find. The tomato season is far away now, and it will be much too short. Get in on it.