What and When to Plant in Las Vegas

Garden lovers might be having their doubts about buying homes for sale in Las Vegas because of the geography and the climate. According to Las Vegas Review-Journal, Las Vegas once again reached the highest temperature recorded in the city that is 117 degrees Fahrenheit (F) in 2017. The valley also suffered from 109 straight days without precipitation last year.

However, while 2017 is one of the warmest years in Las Vegas, winter temperature in the city averages from 50 to 30 degrees F, and can even drop below freezing point.

The extreme weather together with the kind of terrain Las Vegas has makes gardening in the city tricky. Although, it is totally doable.

To garden lovers checking out Las Vegas NV real estates, here is a guide on what and when to plant in the city.

Fall

September to November are the best months to plant in the Las Vegas valley or any dessert in general. However, it is a race to get the crops mature and harvested before the winter season begins.

The Old Farmer’s Almanac recommends to grow garlic during fall—six to eight weeks before the expected fall frost date to be able to produce large bulbs by early spring. Cole crops like lettuce, spinach, cauliflower, and broccoli are also best grown during this season in Las Vegas.

Deciduous trees like oak and maple are also best planted during fall because they will be developing strong roots throughout the winter and start growing leaves by spring.

Winter

People can also plant during winter in Las Vegas as long as the soil is dug deeply and heavily modified with compost. Radishes can be easily grown during the winter because they germinate in very cold soils and are ready to be harvested in just 30 days. Carrots and beets as well.

Spring

Spring is the second best season to plant in Las Vegas after fall because the weather is not too cold nor too hot. People can start creating their vegetable garden during mid-March so that they can harvest them by summer. Beans, corn, and squash can directly be planted into the ground by this time when the soil is no longer too cold.

Lantana and birds of paradise are also recommended to be planted during spring because they are desert plants and will not be able to withstand the cold temperature. However, Gardening on Mars do not advise to cut lantana and birds of paradise when winter approaches because it makes it harder for them to recover when spring comes back.

Summer

Aside from cacti, people can also plant some heat-loving vegetables in Las Vegas like basil, tomatoes, and pumpkins during summer because they all thrive under the full sun heat. Sunflowers also bloom in hot climate and can even add aesthetic value in every home’s exterior during summer.

Watermelon is also best to be planted during the summer because its seeds need at least 70 degrees F warm ground to germinate and grow. It will be perfect to be harvested by fall time.

It may be great for soon-to-be Las Vegas locals to invest in raised beds for their garden for better soil conditioning. However, they can also start planting indoors when the outdoor temperature is still not good for the plants and transfer them outdoors when the perfect season for each plant starts.

Doubts about gardening in the Mojave Desert should no longer stop people from looking up and buying real estate for sale in Las Vegas with this simple guide on what and when to plant in the valley. Garden lovers can definitely grow their own garden outside their Las Vegas home.