Birds in Pahrump

Nevada has over 450 species of birds that been registered as seen. Amazing when most think of state as a massive arid desert.


The State bird  is The Mountain Bluebird

Nevada State Bird

The Pahrump Valley is an amazing place for bird watching. Here on our homestead we have identified over 50. 

Will be posting them randomly as seen. There are six different feeders on property,  2 are filled with black sunflower seeds 2 with thistle (niger) and the other 2 are for hummingbirds. 

There are several hummies now nesting on the property. The best hummingbird feeders are the ones with red glass. Purchasing this kind saves money as you wont need to buy the red 'nectar" that is sold everywhere for like $5.00 bucks for a small bottle.

Amazon has a great red colored humming bird feeder for under $10.00 bucks

Here is the recipe for the 'nectar'

1/4 cup sugar 

1 cup of water

( you can double recipe and store remainder in fridge up to two weeks)

Bring water to boil. stir in the sugar and keep stirring until completely dissolved. Take off flame and let cool.

This sugar water must be completely chilled and stored in fridge for 3-4 hous befor using. You dont want it to ferment. That would turn to alcohol and be dangerous for birds.

Place feeder in shade. During southern Nevada's hot summers, changes solution very 5 days or so;

There are also several vines, shrubs, flowers and fruit trees growing that supply plenty of feed to our visitors.

Three watering stations set up which are simply  - buckets with the same irrigation line attached that waters our goats, 

ducks and chickens

Here are birds spotted on property this week this week:

Anna's Hummingbird, Eurasian Collared-Dove, Mourning Dove, Phainopepla, Gambel's Quail, Great-tailed Grackles, White-crowned Sparrows, Say's Phoebes, Northern Mockingbird, Western Bluebird, Brewer's Blackbirds
Red-winged Blackbirds, Verdin, Yellow-rumped Warbler's, Yellow-headed Blackbirds, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch, American Goldfinch, Cooper's Hawk, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Common Raven, Red-shouldered Hawk,
Northern Flicker, Blue-gray Gnatcher, Black Phoebe

For more info on local birding visit

Red Rock Audubon Society

Growing business: More people buying veggie plants

Barbara Soderlin Journal staff | Posted: Friday, April 9, 2010 6:00 am

Brad Wilburn of Chadron, Neb., stopped by Nachtigall’s Greenhouse in Rapid City on Monday, ready to shop for the tomato, squash, Swiss chard, pepper and basil plants he hopes to grow in his garden this summer.

The only problem was he got there a little early — by about three weeks.

Inside the greenhouses, staff members were getting dirt under their fingernails transplanting the tomatoes, barely 3 inches high, from propagation trays into individual pots, where they will continue to mature before the greenhouse officially opens for the season.

Wilburn knew it might be too early, but said when the sun starts to shine, “The juices start to flow.” The contagious itch to garden has been a boon to area greenhouse owners, who say an increase in the number of home vegetable gardeners has boosted business during what have been slow years for other industries.

“I think I’m in one of the fortunate industries where the recession is actually helping,” said Carol Hallock, owner with her husband of Rockingtree Floral & Garden Center in Sturgis. “Last year was significantly more than the year before.”

That’s what Sid Nachtigall said he’s seen in Rapid City the past two years.

“There was a big pickup on vegetables last year,” he said, with people especially looking to grow staples such as tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers — relatively easy to grow compared with the expense at the grocery store.

Greenhouse owners say the recession has more people gardening because of the perceived cost savings at the supermarket and because of the resulting desire to stay home and cultivate their own gardens.

“I think in times of uncertainty, people tend to do things that make them feel more secure,” Hallock said. “One of those is being more independent. I think it has something to do with feeling secure and knowing you can grow your own food.”

That desire is showing up in places other than the vegetable garden, she said. People are also beautifying their lawns, adding landscaping and generally “making their house a home.”

Wilburn said he gardens just for the pleasure of it.

“It’s just enjoyable,” he said. “Some stuff just tastes so much better out of the garden.”

Greenhouse owners also say increased attention to health and food safety, such as first lady Michelle Obama’s organic White House garden, brings people outdoors.

“They know what’s been applied or not applied” when it comes to pesticides, said Tim Sime at Jolly Lane Greenhouse.

Sime said it’s not fair to count the home gardener’s labor in the cost of growing produce.

“That’s sort of a part of life, and if you’re enjoying doing it, then the time element is not a factor,” he said. Plus, think of the benefits. As experienced gardeners know, “It’s like therapy.”

With another boom year predicted for home gardens, Sime said Jolly Lane works to make sure new garden customers become repeat garden customers.

“That’s our job in the business, to make sure that the people that are new at it are successful enough that they don’t feel like, gee, that was a waste of time, I’ll just go back to getting it at the store.”

That means being  helpful with answers to questions about the right varieties, soils, sunlight and more.

“We try to get them all off and on the right foot so they have a good experience,” he said.

Contact Barbara Soderlin at 394-8417 or barbara.soderlin@rapidcityjournal.com.

Posted in Business, Local, Agriculture on Friday, April 9, 2010 6:00 am Updated: 5:30 pm.

Desert sights outside Las Vegas

Desert sights outside Las Vegas

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Pahrump Nevada Hot Air Balloon Rides

Ballooning is becoming popular here in Pahrump and for good reason. The views of our valley from above are breathtaking.

A Great American Balloon Company located at 681 South Highway 160 provides thrilling rides. 

Rates are around 200 bucks per person and the offer sunset and sunrise trips

Call 877 WE DO FLY
(877) 933-6359

This seen from our homestead Saturday, April 2nd

Las Vegas Balloon Rides

The Horse | High-Tech Tools Uncover Cause of Mustang Deaths

The Horse | High-Tech Tools Uncover Cause of Mustang Deaths

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Growing Your Own Garden from Open-Pollinated Seeds and Heirloom Seeds

Growing Your Own Garden from Open-Pollinated Seeds and Heirloom Seeds, TransWorldNews.de

Atlanta, Ga. 4/02/2010 12:05 AM GMT (TransWorldNews)

With the recent upheaval in the global financial markets there has been growing concern over the direction the world is heading. Every day we hear about another government bailout to aid a troubled company or industry and this push for continued government control has many people concerned over the level of involvement they are prepared to take.

As the financial crisis continues to mount people can expect to see the government’s involvement in other areas of life increase. One such area is in the government’s push to control the food supply and this involvement could not only result in critical shortages but also a dramatic rise in prices.

Now more than ever individuals are realizing that they must be prepared for a scenario in which grocery stores and markets will have empty shelves. Many of these people are uncomfortable with the idea that the government will take care of the problem, they want to know they will have the ability to take care of themselves as well as their families.

That ability lies in preparation and this comes in the form of a survival garden, something that will produce nutrient-dense fruits and vegetables during a severe food supply shortage. Understanding the importance of a survival garden is just one aspect of self-sufficiency though, you must be planting the proper seeds, seeds that are not readily available from most outlets.

Today’s food supply relies heavily on hybrid seeds, a genetically modified type that produces a crop but does not have the ability to reproduce itself. During a food crisis these seeds provide little assurance that you’ll be able to remain self-sufficient. That is why many people are turning to non-hybrid seeds and open pollinated seeds for their survival garden. These non-hybrid seeds have the ability to produce a crop and the seeds from those plants can then be used for the next planting.

These non-hybrid seeds are not genetically modified in any way and by saving some of the harvest seeds from year one you will have more than enough to plant for year two. Each “survival seed bank” produces thousands of pounds of nutrient-dense food for pennies per pound. Also included are detailed growing instructions for each variety which includes helpful information on harvesting of seed stock for the following year in a survival situation.

FEATURED: Mexican Miniature Watermelon -Melothria scabra

This plant is a native of the southern part of North America, where it is called "Sandita" (little watermelon). It is believed to have been a domesticated crop before western contact began.



The fruit is very tasty. They have the sweet cucumber flavor, followed a mouth-watering sourness that is almost addicting.

The plant climbs any trellis and are an addition to your lanscape.

Fruit can be pickled like a cucumber.

Take 50 days to harvest. They fall off vines when ready

Weekly Feature: Parris Island Cos Romaine Lettuce

Cos lettuce also goes by the name Romaine. Cos is at the top of the list when is come to taste, texture and nutritional value. It is also very easy to grow and a must have for every gardener.Parris Island Cos, named after Parris island, South Carolina, NOT the French capital spelled wrong, was developed by the USDS and Clemson in 1952.

You can grow Cos in almost any type of soil as long as it isn't too sandy or too rich. A soil type that holds water is better. Add peat moss to clay soils. Do not mix in rich compost or fertilizers. Too rich of a soil will probably cause rot.

Sow every 14 days to have continuous harvest. Here in Pahrump, Nevada we grow all winter long in wooden wine boxes with glass covers. Begin sowing outdoors 2-3 weeks before the last frost date.

Use a trowel to dig out shallow drills 1/2 inch(1.3cm) deep, each hole being 12 inches (30cm)apart from the next. Sow three or four seeds every 6 inches (15cm)

Cover the seeds with soil, firming it down with gentle pressure. If the soil is at all dry, water well. The seedlings should begin to appear in 7 to 14 days time. Gradually thin out the seedlings until they are 25cm (10in) apart.

Cover the seeds with soil, pressing gently slight pressure. If the soil is dry, water well. The seedlings should begin to appear in 7 to 14 days time.

Thin out gradually so they are 10 inches (25cm)apart. As for maintenance,ample water and weeding are most important. What we do here is place cardboard around the plants to prevent weeds from popping up. The cardboard also breaks down slowly adding nutrients to the soils and feeding the plant through the roots. Use plain colorless corrugated cardboard only.

Besides the obvious reasons you will want to use organic - heirloom seeds only. Collecting seeds to plant following year is a wonderful experience and makes one feels good. The practice of saving seeds has been done by every culture for 1000's of years. Hybrid, GMO or non-organic seeds have been genetically altered to NOT produce crop again. Sad but true.

I found 275 certified organic heirloom seeds for only $1.89 here

Saving lettuce seed is easy. After the flowers die, the plants will eventually form seed heads. They look similar to dandelion seed heads. When these seed heads form, remove the whole seed head from the plant. After the flowers die, you will want to check this regularly before the seeds blow away. Take the seed heads indoors and pluck the seeds from them. You can also remove the white chaff that lets them get blown around, but it isn't absolutely necessary. Set them to dry, and leave them for at least two weeks before storing in a glass jar

Lettuce gone to seed

Shopping from home not only save gas, time and money, but also reduces our carbon footprint, improves the quality of life for everyone by not adding to our traffic problem and allows you more time to do something more important than driving,parking, browsing, waiting in line, walking back to the car and wasting more gas to get home. Imagine how nice it would be if only ups, fedex and us mail trucks were the only ones on our roads...Just sayin' ;)

Food fight: Genetic modification vs. Organic

New alfalfa seed limits roundup use

The Times should be applauded for its evenhanded article covering genetically modified alfalfa [“Monsanto’s altered alfalfa on verge of a new season,” Business, March 2]. The modified alfalfa seed Monsanto wants to market has their popular weedkiller “Roundup” built into it, enabling farmers to avoid massive spraying of Roundup on their farms.

READ MORE

Seed Starting Tips

Spring is in the air here in Pahrump. The Almond and Peach trees are in full bloom. Spinach, Broccoli, Broccoli Raab, Swiss Chard, Arugula and several lettuces are abundant.

For those of you who are starting your summer veggies from seed - here are some neat tips to get you off to a great start





1) Use only non hybrid,  organic/heirloom seeds. There are a number of reason, most importantly you will be able to  collect huge amounts of seeds from a single plant you will never need to buy seed again. Hybrid seed has all been genetically modified to NOT make fruit. It will grow up into a plant, but a sterile one that cant produce fruit. So again, use good non hybrid seed

2) There is no reason to use 'seed starter potting mix", most contain so much peat moss that its actually harmful to seedlings. Instead use a normal, fine textured potting soil just as long as its organic.

3) Keep records of what, where and when each seed was planted. Record germination date also. Its a very good idea to also plant in succession - repeat plentin every two weeks to prolong/extend the season.

4) Cover trays ( or pots - the organic peat pods are great! ) with plastic wrap to keep the moisture level consistent.

5)  Keep seeds warm for quicker germination. 65-75F is ideal

6) Most seed will not germinate with out sun. 12 hours or more is best. Keep in a sunny south facing window. You should also turn the tray, peat pod or container 1/4 way around clock wise each day to provide even sun exposure and prevent the seedlings growing up leggy.

 7) once 2 "true leaves" emerge, feed with liquid compost.  Liquid worm tea is even better. If you don't have access to these teas, an organic all purpose fertilizer is OK.


8) Introduce gradually to the outdoors. I suggest you move outdoors for a few hour of early morning sun and gradually let them stay out longer and longer.

9) Prepare you area outdoors. Ideally this was done a few weeks prior, its not too late if you haven't yet.
I always dig a whole 3-4 time bigger and wider. I sprinkle 1/2 of a teaspoon of bone meal at bottom, add some rich compost, the other 1/2 teaspoon bone meal
Then the last layer before adding transplant -  mix 1/2 compost with1/2 half native soil, another 1/2 teaspoon of bone meal, gently place plant and fill with 1/2 compost/native soil. Leave a "well" around each plant. This will hold water and let those roots goo deep. The bone meal nurture roots. The deeper and healthier the roots, the healthier and tastier the produce!

10) Enjoy!

Southern Nevada Organic Seed

Growing tomatoes in Las Vegas

Growing tomatoes in Las Vegas

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Community Calendar

Saturday


Men's Bible study -- 7 a.m., Pahrump Community Church Fellowship Hall.
Seventh-day Adventist Church -- 9 a.m., Sabbath School; 10:30 a.m., Worship Service; 477 N. Blagg Road, 727-6655.
Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church -- services at 5 p.m., 650 S. Blagg Road, 727-4096.
Youth Church -- 7 p.m., food served at 6:30 p.m., 727-5242 or 764-1096.
Experimental Aircraft Association -- 10 a.m., Calvada Meadows Aeropark. Call Glenna Wagner, 537-1097 for information.
Pahrump Friends of the Library -- 9 a.m., Pahrump Community Library, Second and East streets.
Poetry Group -- 10 a.m.-noon, Pahrump Community Library meeting room.
Reiki healing -- 10 a.m.-noon, Universal Wisdom Church and Center, 1230 S. Loop Road, Suite 2, 727-0999.
Pahrump Valley Coin Club -- 11 a.m., UNR Extension Office, coirner of Dandelion Street and Calvada Boulevard, 513-1109.


Sunday


VFW breakfast -- 8-11 a.m., VFW Post 10054, Homestead Road, $6, $7 or $8 donation according to menu choice. Open to the public.
Pahrump Community Church -- Worship services at 8 and 10:45 a.m., Sunday school for all 9:15 a.m.; Intercessory prayer, 6:30 p.m.; 1061 E. Wilson Road. Call 727-5384.
Sunday school -- 9:30 a.m., Heritage Bible Church, 3061 E. Heritage Drive (at the white cross on Homestead Road and Heritage Drive).
Worship service -- 10:30 a.m., Heritage Bible Church, 3061 E. Heritage Drive (at the white cross on Homestead Road and Heritage Drive).
Sunday services -- Sunday school, 9 a.m.; worship, 10 a.m.; fellowship following services, Pahrump Valley United Methodist Church.
Sunday services -- Pastor's Bible Study 9:45 a.m., traditional service, 11 a.m., children's Sunday school, 11:30 a.m.; contemporary service, 6 p.m., Central Valley Baptist Church, 3170 S. Blagg Road, 910-9995.
Jewish Messianic Fellowship -- 6 p.m., Yakin B'racha Service, 2570 Idlewild St., 751-6106.
"The Truth" Youth Group -- 4-5:30 p.m., grades 6-12, The Way Baptist Fellowship, 2301 E. Winery Road, Suite 105, 727-5242.
"The Life" children's church -- 10 a.m., The Way Baptist Fellowship, 2301 E. Winery Road, Suite 105, 727-5242.
AWANA Youth Group -- 6-7:30 p.m., youth ages 4 through eighth grade, Choice Hills Baptist Church, 340 W. Mesquite Ave., bus service available, 751-1417.
"The Way" Baptist Fellowship Sunday service -- 9:30 and 11 a.m. 2301 E. Winery Road, Suite 105, 727-5242.
Sunday service -- 10 a.m., Universal Wisdom Church and Center, 1230 S. Loop Road, Suite 2, 727-0999.
Covenant Lighthouse Church -- Sunday service, 9:30 a.m., 720 Buol Lane, 751-6906.
DAWGG Youth Group -- 5 p.m., (ages 13-19), New Hope Fellowship, 781 West St., 751-1867.
Sunday Service -- 9:30 a.m., New Hope Fellowship, 781 West St., 751-1867.
Healing Room -- New Hope Fellowship, appointment needed, call Carole, 751-6898.
Sunday service -- Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church , 9:30 a.m. 650 S. Blagg Road, 727-4098.
Sunday school -- Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, 8:30 a.m. 650 S. Blagg Road, 727-4098.
Cowboy Action Shooters -- 8:30 a.m., range behind LongStreet Inn and Casino, Amargosa. Safety meeting 8 a.m., side matches at 7 a.m.
St. John the Baptist Catholic Church -- 4 p.m. mass, on California Highway 127, Shoshone, Calif.


Monday


Pahrump Valley Motorcycle Riders -- 8 a.m., Terrible's Lakeside.
Women's Bible study -- 10 a.m., Heritage Bible Church, 3061 E. Heritage Drive (at the white cross on Homestead Road and Heritage Drive).
Spanish-speaking Bible Study -- 6-7:30 p.m., Trinity Assembly of God, 750 Big 5 Road. Call 910-9302 for information.
Adult Bible Study -- 7 p.m., The Way Baptist Fellowship, 2301 E Winery Road, Suite 105, 727-5242.
Pahrump Town Clean Up Committee -- 6 p.m., commissioner's conference room, 1510 E. Basin Road. Call 209-4390 for more information.
Nye County Democrats -- 7 p.m., Bob Ruud Community Center.


Tuesday


Boy Scouts -- Troop 748, 6:30 p.m., VFW on Homestead Road.
Boy Scouts -- Troop 808, 7 p.m., Moose Lodge on Basin Ave.
Hockey -- 5:30-7 p.m., Skate Zone, 1261 E. Calvada Blvd. Call 727-4386.
Women's evening Bible study -- 6:30 p.m., Pahrump Community Church, Earl Hatfield room.
Water From the Rock soaking prayer -- 10-11:30 a.m., 1370 E. Matthew Lane. Call 513-2850.
High Desert Beaders -- 9 a.m. Call 751-8896 for more information and location.
NTS Retirees breakfast -- 9 a.m., Terrible's Lakeside.
Salvation Army Board -- 7 a.m., the Manor. 727-6111 to volunteer.
Pahrump Elks Lodge No. 2796 -- 7 p.m., 2220 E. Basin Road.


Wednesday


Bible study -- 7 p.m., First Southern Baptist Church, Highway 160 and Fehrs Way. Classes for all ages.
Family night -- 6 p.m., The Way Baptist Fellowship, 2301 E. Winery Road, Suite 105, 727-5242.
Adult bereavement support group -- 4 p.m., Nathan Adelson Hospice, 1480 E. Calvada Blvd., Suite 900. Call 751-6700.
Bible study -- 6 p.m., Salvation Army, 921 S. Buol Lane.
Bible study -- 7 p.m., South Valley Southern Baptist Church, Homestead Road and Kellogg Road.
Women at Prayer Bible study -- 9:30 a.m., Pahrump Community Church, Earl Hatfield room.
Bible study -- 4-6 p.m., Church of the Harvest, 1670 W. Vondell Drive.
LDS Pahrump Homeschoolers -- meeting for field trips, co-ops, social activities and more. Call Veronica at 751-9324 or Jeanette at 751-2958 for places and times.
Tops NV No. 116 -- 4:45 p.m., Desert Greens, 350 Wilson Road, call Teresa, 751-2836.
Nurturing parenting class -- 1-3 p.m., Family to Family Connection, 621 S. Blagg Road., 751-1118.
Pahrump Valley Rotary Club -- noon, Pahrump Nugget Banquet Room, Highway 160.
Bible study -- 6:30 p.m., Central Valley Baptist Church, 3170 S. Blagg Road. 910-9995
Co-ed Bible study -- 5:30 p.m., Heritage Bible Church, 3061 E. Heritage Drive (at the white cross on Homestead Road and Heritage Drive).
Pahrump Community Choir -- 7 p.m., choir rehearsal, Rosemary Clarke Middle School, 4201 N. Blagg Road, 751-6957.
Prayer meeting/study -- 6:30-7:30 p.m., Adventist Building, 477 Blagg Road, near the dairy, 513-6202 or 727-6655.
Amateur Radio Emergency Service -- 7 p.m., Emergency Management Office, 1501 Siri Lane, 537-6226.
Pahrump Youth Center Development Council -- 6:30 p.m., Room 121, Great Basin College.
Pahrump Valley Chamber of Commerce Business-to-Business Luncheon -- 11:45 a.m., Terrible's Lakeside.
Pahrump Valley Amateur Astronomy Group -- 7 p.m., K-7 Pizza, 6050 E. Thousandaire Blvd. Contact Dave at 751-6615 for more information.
Alzheimer's Support Group -- 10-11:30 a.m., UNLV Extension Office, 1651 E. Calvada Blvd., 702-248-2770.


Thursday


Playgroup -- 1 p.m., Family to Family Connection, 160 S. Emery St., 751-5898.
Lightsource Youth Group -- 6 p.m., Teen Care, 41 N. Highway 160, Suite 7.
Kiwanis Club -- 6:30 p.m., Salvation Army Church, 721 S. Buol Lane. Call 751-3879 for information.
Awana Club -- 6:30-8 p.m., The Pahrump Community Church has an ongoing club for pre-school through high school, 1061 E. Wilson Road. Call Bryan, 727-5384 or Ladiana Talley, 727-6383 for more information.
Men's Bible Study -- 6 p.m., New Hope Fellowship, 781 West St., 751-1867.
Women's Bible Study -- 6:30 p.m., New Hope Fellowship, 781 West St., 751-1867.
Bible study -- 7 p.m., The Way Baptist Fellowship, 5501 E. Cansano St., Mountain Falls, 727-5242.
Pahrump Peggers, ACC Grassroots Cribbage Club -- noon., Wulfy's, 1101 S. Highway 160, 209-4444.
Volunteer Meeting -- 4 p.m., Nathan Adelson Hospice, 1480 E. Calvada Blvd., Suite 900, 751-5601.
Shadow Mountain Quilters -- 9 a.m., Business meeting at the library.
Valley Cruisers car club -- 6 p.m., Wulfy's, Highway 160, call 751-8912 or 751-0994.
Nathan Adelson Hospice Golden Monarchs -- 5:30 p.m., hospice office, 1480 E. Calvada Blvd., Suite 900, 751-5601.

Made in Pahrump