A seedling grows at Greenhouse Garden Center in Carson City. Photo courtesy of Greenhouse Garden Center

Spring 2024 | Edible Garden

Sow Many Choices

Spring seedling and plant sales and garden resources 2024.

written by Christine Motta Faria

You’ve planned, plotted, and prepped for your 2024 vegetable garden, or perhaps you’re adding a pollinator or herb garden. Whether you’re planting spring cool season vegetables or summer favorites, local nurseries and organizations are ready to help from the ground up.

MARCH

Greenhouse Garden Center
When: From March through growing season
Where: 2450 S. Curry St., Carson City
For details: 775-882-8600 · Greenhousegardencenter.com

Cool season starts arrive from late March through early April and are stocked through June; warm season/non-frost-tolerant plants arrive late April into May. “Tomatomania” lasts nine days in May. Plants are sourced locally and from the entire West Coast. Organic and naturally grown offerings include vegetables, perennials, herbs, berries, fruits, fruit trees, and shrubs. Check website for free classes.

Moana Nursery
When: From March through growing season
Where: Three locations: 1100 W. Moana Lane and 11301 S. Virginia St., Reno; 3397 Pyramid Way, Sparks
For details: 775-825-0600 · Moananursery.com · Find Moana Nursery or Moana Nursery (Moana Nursery at Pyramid Way) on Facebook

Pepper plants ready for new homes at Moana Nursery. Photo courtesy of Moana Nursery

Annuals and vegetables are available in the spring with gardening essentials provided all year round, including houseplants and indoor gardening supplies. The nursery specializes in providing plants grown specifically for success in the high desert. Trees, shrubs, and perennials are sourced from a 280-plus-acre farm in Canby, Ore.; annuals, herbs, and vegetables are locally grown.

Old Stone House Gift and Garden
When: From March through growing season
Where:1350 Geiger Grade Road, Reno
For details: 775-358-1700 · Find Old Stone House Gift and Garden on Facebook

Cold season crops, including 10 varieties of potatoes, now available. Summer vegetables through early July. Majority of plants grown locally and organically; visitors can walk through 10 greenhouses to view seedlings and plants. Check after July 4, as excess vegetable plants are donated!

Rail City Garden Center
When: From March through growing season
Where: 1720 Brierley Way, Sparks
For details: 775-355-1551 · Railcitygardencenter.com · Find Rail City Garden Center on Facebook

The season starts off with a large selection of live onion plant starts and certified seed potatoes, as well as bare root asparagus, rhubarb, hops, strawberries, berries, grapes, herbs, and vegetables. Plants are started from seed/plugs, grown organically and locally, adapted to the Northern Nevada climate. Check website for a free planting calendar and class schedule.

Villager Nursery
When: Late March
Where: 10678 Donner Pass Road, Truckee
For details: 530-587-0771 · Villagernursery.com

Cool season vegetables starts and plants are available late March to early April; warm season plants available at end of May. Hours and availability depend on weather, snowpack, and customer need. Call for detailed information.

VitalBeeBuds
When: March through September
Where: Carson Farmers Market, JUST A DROP IN Farmers’ Market at Heritage Park in Minden, Riverside Farmers’ Market in Reno
For details on delivery, plant list, or care instructions visit: Vitalbeebuds.com
Contact: Lorraine Fitzhugh 775-232-7869

This local nursery grows native plants, pollinator perennials, and herbs.

APRIL

Reno Food Systems Farm Stand
When: 3 – 7 p.m. Sundays, April 14 – Oct. 27
Where: 3295 Mayberry Drive, Reno
For details: 775-815-1113 · Renofoodsystems.org

Mid-April cool season seedlings (lettuce, kale, chard, Asian greens, etc.); May perennial seedlings and plants (fruit trees, pollinator plants, culinary and medicinal herbs, berries); warm season seedlings available first week of June. All vegetables are grown organically and on site; perennials grown in Lemmon Valley. One-third of seedlings are donated to community and school gardens.

MAY

Great Basin Community Food Co-op Annual Seedling Sale
When: 8 a.m. – noon, Sat., May 18
Where: 240 Court St., Reno
For details: Visit Greatbasinfood.coop or email Philip Moore at Localfood@greatbasinfood.coop

Local plant lovers converge on the annual Great Basin Community Food Co-op plant sale. Photo courtesy of Great Basin Community Food Co-op

Kickstart your summer garden and meet dozens of local farmers selling high-desert-adapted vegetable and fruit seedlings. You’ll also find a few non-seedling vendors selling arts, crafts, and homemade goods, and you can grab a snack at the recently reopened Foodshed Café.

Master Gardeners of Washoe County Plant Sale
When: 2 – 6 p.m., Fri., May 17 and 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Sat., May 18
Where: 4955 Energy Way, Reno
For details: 775-784-4848 · Visit Extension.unr.edu/master-gardeners/washoe.aspx · Rmcclure@unr.edu 

Plants are grown in Nevada by Washoe County master gardeners at the University of Nevada, Reno Experiment Station Greenhouse Complex. Plant varieties are selected for their fit to the region, flavors, and success rates. Vegetable and herb starts as well as annual, native, and perennial flowers for pollinators. All proceeds benefit the master gardener program, community outreach programs, and educational programs.

May Arboretum Society Annual Spring Plant Sale
When: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Sat., May 11 and Sun., May 12 (member preview sale on the evening of May 10)
Where: Wilbur D. May Arboretum and Botanical Garden, 1595 N. Sierra St., Reno
For details: 775-234-8040 · Mayarboretumsociety.org/events · Find May Arboretum Society on Facebook

The annual sale boasts 25 percent more plants than last year’s, featuring more than 4,800 plants and 300 species, including perennials, annuals, herbs, vegetables, drought/heat-tolerant plants, grasses, and succulents. Enjoy presentations and demonstrations by horticulturalists and master gardeners. May Arboretum Society members receive 10 percent discount.

The Greenhouse Project Plant Sale
When: In-person plant sale 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Sat., May 11 (online orders start in April)
Where: 1111 N. Saliman Road, Carson City
For details: 775-600-9552 · Carsoncitygreenhouse.org · Find The Greenhouse Project on Facebook

A crowd looks through plants offered at The Greenhouse Project’s plant sale. Photo courtesy of The Greenhouse Project

Sale includes a variety of organic spring and summer vegetables and flowers, in addition to native or regionally adapted, drought-tolerant perennials. All proceeds directly support the nonprofit’s missions of growing nutrient-dense produce for donation to local food distribution organizations and providing agricultural-education opportunities. Plants are cultivated locally. Plants also will be sold at the Carson City Farmers Market through the summer.

New to Northern Nevada, or to gardening in general? Ask local experts about:

  • Planting dates for cool vs. warm season
  • Companion planting
  • Soil health and compost
  • Attracting pollinators
  • Gardening without pesticides/biological control
  • Organic vs. non-organic seeds and seedings
  • Classes, free guides, and handouts

MORE RESOURCES
Don’t forget these community groups that share specialty sales info, nurseries, and resources not listed here:

University of Nevada Cooperative Extension’s Master Gardeners of Nevada
775-784-4848 · Extension.unr.edu/master-gardeners/default.aspx · Find University of Nevada, Reno Extension Master Gardeners on Facebook

Find Gardening in Northern Nevada on Facebook

Find Gardeners and Backyard Farmers of Northern Nevada on Facebook

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