Windbreak Establishment for Gardens in Pahrump, Nevada

Q. I am a recent transplant to Pahrump, Nevada, from Idaho where I was a master gardener. I have an acre property of bare dirt and want to plant all sorts of edibles from tree fruits to vegetables. But first I want to plant a windbreak around the perimeter of my property. I need some advice on how to start. 

A. As you will find out as you talk to more people in the Pahrump area and those that are gardening you will see the temperature in the winter time is one of your major limiting factors. Trees that do not survive below temperatures of 15 or even 10 degrees Fahrenheit during the winter time are not good choices for you so that might eliminate pomegranates, figs, etc.

The Windbreak

     Let's start with the windbreak. I would caution you about is planting a perimeter around your property for a Windbreak. I think some people are making a mistake when they do that with their property. I understand the reason for defining it with some sort of wall but I think that's the wrong approach if you are thinking about a Windbreak.

Diagram of a living windbreak. Area A is the area of competition and equal to about the same height as the plants in the windbreak. This is competition for sunlight, water, etc. B is the "quiet zone" and maybe 5 times the height of the windbreak or even more. This area is the best area for food crops. The overall effects from a windbreak could be up to 30 times it's height. 

    A key component of a windbreak is how much area it modifies. I would suggest for you that you determine which direction winds are coming from that are your primary problems. Put windbreaks as close to your growing area as possible. The most effective when brakes allow about 20% of the wind to penetrate it through and into the growing area. They don't block wind as much as they slow it so it decreases the damage.

     Buy  an inexpensive recording temperature device such as this Taylor instrument available on Amazon. You can get them for less than $15.

Consider Non-living Windbreaks int the Desert

     I would also suggest that you consider nonliving windbreaks around growing areas, particularly around the vegetable and Herb growing areas. These could be things like chain link fence with PVC slats throat through them if you want to put something up that's relatively expensive. Or it can be as simple as reed fencing.

     The area affected by the windbreak is about equal to 5 - 10 times its height. You can see that if you were to plant around your perimeter for a windbreak it won't be very effective because the distance is too far from the growing areas. Plus, if you were to grow big plants on the perimeter they are just going to use a lot more water than a nonliving or even a living when brake that's closer to the growing area. Plus nonliving windbreaks have a smaller area of competition.
     For sure, growing areas are more productive with better quality produce if they have a windbreak. But that windbreak should be as close to the growing area as possible if it's to be effective. Otherwise you're just growing plants on the perimeter of your property that don't do much good. And you have to water them.
     So I hope you will rethink the windbreak options that you would have on your property before you start investing in some plant materials and irrigation to support it. As far as growing during the growing season which is probably behind Las Vegas about 3 to 4 weeks.

Soil Amendments and Sun Shade Cloth in the Desert

     Some of your big problems in growing will will be the use of soil amendments more than you did an Idaho and learning when to irrigate at the right time.
     Sun protection may be a problem for some vegetables because the sunlight here is more intense than it was in Idaho. So some vegetables will perform better under light shade cloth, about 20 to 30% shade and no more than that.
     I will forward to you some contact information on some good growers in Pahrump and start picking their brain. Start with the Pahrump Farmers Market people and get to know them in particular Cherri and her group who are very active in the gardening community there.
     You can always send me some questions to verify some information or if you don't find the information you need. Pahrump have some pretty good soils compared to Las Vegas but that winter low temperature is a major barrier that you have to consider.