Can You Grow Tropical Fruits In Las Vegas? Yes You Can
Growing tropical fruits in Las Vegas may seem impossible. But, it’s not.
It takes time, research and the right conditions. A man in Las Vegas named Derrick Martinez has started a tropical oasis in his backyard. He has started a garden called “Abah Garden,” that features lush and tropical fruits that you can only dream about growing.
According to a YouTube video from an organic gardening creator, Derrick’s garden consists of sugarcane, guava, almond trees, loquat trees, figs, pomegranates, papayas and so much more. Despite the dry and harsh conditions of the Las Vegas desert, Marinez has created a system that allows these tropical fruits and vegetables to flourish, grow and bloom.
There Are Prohibited Plants In Las Vegas
If you’re looking to start a lush garden in your backyard then you need to be aware about the rules and regulations when it comes to gardening. According to the Southern Nevada Water Authority, prohibited plants include Green/Crimson Fountain Grass, fruitless mulberry trees, fruiting olive trees and chaste trees.
In an interview with Las Vegas Weekly, Bob Morris, a horticulture specialist, said, “There’s a number of challenges in the desert, in this (Las Vegas’) specific desert, and it’s not just the climate. The soils here are absolutely horrendous.”
How To Grow Tropical Fruits In Las Vegas
The “easiest” types of fruit to grow in the dessert will be dessert fruits instead of tropical. According to The Las Vegas Sun, this includes apricots, figs, jujubes, peaches, nectarines, and figs.
The first step is to adjust your “crop schedule” so it avoids blistering heat.
“Folks living in Arizona, the deep South, Las Vegas, or Hawaii may adjust their garden seasons and avoid growing tomatoes or squash during the hottest summer months altogether, and grow them during the spring and fall seasons instead,” Homestead Chill, an online homemaking blog, reports.
If you’re looking to start a garden then you will need good quality soil. Along with that, the hard Vegas sun with little to no rainfall can create sun damage on to crops.
“Don’t spray on sunscreen, but do paint the trunks—and any stem larger than a pinky finger—with a 50/50 water/light-colored outdoor latex paint mixture,” The Las Vegas Sun reports.
You will need to water plants in the early morning. Fruits are very thirsty plants, so you’ll have to keep this in mind. These plants will need to be watered immensely throughout the day. But be careful and avoid overwatering your crop.
“Before offering more water, check the moisture content of your soil by probing an inch or two below the soil surface,” Homestead Chill advises.
So, growing tropical fruits in Las Vegas is doable. Look at the plethora of produce that Derrick Martinez is able to grow at his Abbah Farm in Las Vegas. But, it does take determination, grit
You Should Know These New Scams That Are Trending
Watch out for the new 'check cooking scam'
The AARP warns of a new scam called the “check cooking scam.” The AARP states, “In check cooking, thieves take a digital picture of a stolen check and then use commercially available software to alter it.” It can look super real, but it’s fake. So, how do you stay safe? “Consider using a safer payment method, such as a credit card,” they suggest.
Getty Images / Andrey Popov
Look out for the 'delayed-action sweepstakes scam'
The AARP states also warns of a new sweepstakes scam where “instead of trying to get you to pay taxes or other fees in advance to collect the nonexistent prize, the scammers will ask for personal information so that they can validate you and set up the payout.” Just say no.
Getty Images / Torsten Asmus
Watch out for AI-powered scams
These days, AI scams are big. Experian.com says today, scammers use technology to “write more convincing and natural-sounding phishing emails and text messages.” They can also “Impersonate the victim’s friend or relative and ask for money as part of a grandparent scam.” It’s scary stuff. Beware of anything that sounds too crazy, as these can often seem far-fetched, but AI makes them look real.
Getty Images / Userba011d64_201
Beware of student loan forgiveness scams
Experian.com says that student loan forgiveness scams are on the rise. They note that, “scammers may contact you via phone or create phony application sites aimed at stealing your Social Security number or your bank account information.” Don’t give out your information. If it sounds too good to be true, it is.
Getty Images / Pla2na
Look out for the Paris Olympics scam
This one is really wild. With the games on the way, scammers can use the games to scam you. The AARP states, “A scammer hacks someone’s email account, and shortly after, all of that person’s contacts will receive the same message — something to the effect of, ‘Hey guys, I’m over in Paris and my wallet got stolen! Can anyone please help me out by sending gift cards or a Venmo deposit?”
Getty Images / Marcio-Binow-Da-Silva
The best way to avoid scams
Whether the scam is new or old, the best way to avoid it is to stop and think about what’s happening. These scam artists are super good at what they do, but if you just stop for a moment and really think out any actions, you can avoid making a rash decision that could cost you.
Getty Images / Ridofranz
