UNR Extension hosts Q&A sessions

Humming bird moths come from hornworms, which love eating tomato foliage. Photo by Kurt Hildebrand.

By Amy Roby

Wednesday, August 30, 2023

The University of Nevada, Reno Douglas County Extension hosts a free Q&A session from 5:30-6:30 p.m. today at Heritage Park Gardens, 1461 Ezell St. in Gardnerville,

UNR Extension-Douglas County Horticulture Outreach Coordinator Jessica Gardner will lead an educational talk about perennial dividing and answer questions from the audience. Attendees are encouraged to bring a friend and a chair.

Through September 15, the local Extension office is accepting orders for Douglas County National Pollinator Week t-shirts and hoodies.

Clothing items feature the Douglas County Pollinator Week logo (created by local youth) on the front and the UNR Extension logo on the right sleeve. T-shirts are available in blue, grey, pink, or white; hoodies are available in blue or grey. Payment must be cash or check payable to Douglas County Extension, and proceeds benefit pollinator education in Douglas County.

Stop by the local Extension office at 1325 Waterloo Lane in Gardnerville to pick up an order form or find one online: nevada.app.box.com/s/gi48y1bnps45o3nhgzyhhw732w7kwohw.

National Pollinator Week is held the third week of June each year to bring attention to pollinator health, celebrate these important creatures, and educate communities about ways to support and protect them. Visit pollinator.org/pollinator-week to learn more.

Speaking of pollinators, last week I wrote about the many sphinx moths I’ve encountered in my neighborhood and my yard this season. While watering some flowering plants last week, three Sphinx moths hovered nearby, unbothered by my presence and sipping nectar from tiny clusters of magenta blooms. One moth was so large that I actually did mistake it for a hummingbird at first.

Another remarkable thing has been the sheer number of dragonflies darting through the yard lately, usually in the mid-late afternoon hours. They range across all sizes and colors, from umber brown to red to blue to black-and-white. The spectrum of color just adds to the charm and delight of watching these aerial acrobats move so skillfully through the air.

Full moon shines bright tonight

Skywatchers are in for a treat when the full blue supermoon rises tonight. Remember to head outside and look toward the east-southeastern horizon starting after 7:48 p.m.

The moon reaches peak fullness at 6:35 p.m., but it won’t be visible from our vantage point at that time. Though technically we’ll be seeing a waning moon, it’s sure to be a spectacular sight. Happy moon gazing.

Amy Roby can be reached at [email protected].

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August 30, 2023 5:47 p.m.

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