Master gardener strives to improve valley horticulture

Master gardener Don Fabbi deserves all the accolades that have been showered upon him. Fabbi just received his doctorate of science in urban horticulture, graduating summa cum laude. He has been an advocate for better gardening in Las Vegas. Here are some things he has done to help people be better gardeners:

One of Fabbi's favorite projects -- and he has many -- is the City of Las Vegas Doolittle Community Garden, located in West Las Vegas. He is there almost every day teaching and helping folks grow their own vegetables. This garden has more than 35 raised beds tucked full of vegetables.

Notice the raised beds. They rise above-ground two feet with a ledge to sit on. These ledges have created a social gathering place for gardeners. They come to garden most mornings and sit on the edges to care for their vegetables.

"It is fun to listen to them visit as they work their gardens," Fabbi says.

These gardeners watch over their gardens like hawks making sure their vegetables grow correctly. As vegetables mature, they treat each vegetable as a golden nugget as they take the produce home for their families. If they have extra, these kind folks take the fresh produce to the Doolittle Center to use in their lunches. Fabbi always develops tears in his eyes when he talks about how good it makes him feel when these gardeners take the produce to the center for others.

Next on his agenda, he heads to the "propagation facilities" at the Springs Preserve. He works with other master gardeners transplanting, sowing seeds, watering and collecting seeds as natives mature. Fabbi loves to propagate unusual indigenous plants at the Preserve.

Fabbi's schedule is always loaded with talks to give to various groups and civic organizations throughout Southern Nevada. If he doesn't have any scheduled, you'll find him on Saturday mornings at Plant World Nursery answering gardening questions.

Fabbi is always pushing the envelope trying something different. He grows three crops of corn a year.

"I plant corn for a lot of reasons, but I mainly do it for the grandkids," he says. "Corn has big seeds they can get a hold of to plant and they grow fast for the grandkids to watch."

Fabbi goes a step further and grows ornamental corn. He grows a patriotic corn that is red, white and blue.

Fabbi also grows peanuts. His grandchildren and those at the Community Center have fun with them because of the way they grow. The peanut develops a plant that looks like a potato. Eventually, shoots emerge from the center of the plant, rise up and arch out to bury themselves in loose soil. It is from these tendrils new peanuts come. He gets about a pound of peanuts from each plant.

Fabbi's backyard is a certified "Backyard Wildlife Habitat." He provides for wildlife year-round. He has several fruit trees to share with the birds.

"They feast on the top third and we eat the lower third, and the other is up for grabs. These trees provide nectar and pollen for insects," he says.

Tucked under those trees are berry-producing pyracanthas and nandinas, along with raspberries, blueberries, blackberries and strawberries.

"If times get tough, I fill the bird feeders and that brings on lots of fights," he said.

To level the playing field, he spreads seeds over the lawn area. Surprisingly, pigeons and sparrows are not a problem. You will find drinking and bathing facilities for the birds and places for wildlife to raise their young.

One of Fabbi's favorites is a tortoise named Minnie that his family dearly loves.

"If someone wants a pet, there isn't anything better than a tortoise and I'm including dogs and cats," Fabbi said. "She is a real gentle creature, but when she goes into hibernation, which is from October until April, I forget about her. She doesn't bark or cause trouble. She follows me and the kids around like a little pup. They love her. When I am deadheading roses, she eats them up."

Growing vegetables is Fabbi's trademark.

"I'm surprised how much produce we get from just a few plants. We feed our family and friends and take lots to the soup kitchens. That really charges me, as I give the produce to cooks for those who are hungry," Fabbi said.

Fabbi is also grows cotton and sugar beets, as well as other strange plants. Fabbi and his wife spend Sunday afternoons roaming nurseries to find new and unusual plants.

His wife, Barbara, tucks alyssum in with her irises, petunias, marigolds, zinnias, lilacs and violets. "These plants encourage butterflies and other insects to bring beauty to our yard," she said.

All the plants in the yard become places for birds to hide their young, Don Fabbi said. He has placed several tree houses in the yard, and he has built a unique butterfly "condo."

"I want the insects to return from year to year, so I provided a condo for them to lay eggs," he explained. Inside, he put strips of pine trees in the corners to assimilate a natural place for them to lay their eggs. To make them more at home, he placed colorful Monarch butterflies in the condo.

No wildlife habitat is complete without a fishpond or water feature for the birds to bathe in and drink from. Fabbi has a fishpond to serve this purpose. To date, he has observed more than 20 different kinds of birds in his habitat.

In reviewing his application for his doctorate, he has spent many hours donating his time and efforts to helping people grow better gardens.

Don, you are worthy of your new title as doctor.

DRIP IRRIGATION WORKSHOP

Gain the skills to design and install your own drip irrigation system. Learn the complete installation from the street to plants, including how to select and assemble components. You actually build a drip system in the classroom to learn how easy it is to save water and have great-looking plants. Experts from Southern Nevada Water Authority will teach the workshop. Call 822-7786 for reservations. That is at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Springs Preserve, 333 S. Valley View Blvd.

A GOLDEN CELEBRATION

The Nevada Garden Clubs' 50th annual flower show will feature horticulture of the Southwest, floral designs and a special exhibit by the Greater Las Vegas Orchid Society. It is Oct. 27, from noon to 4:30 p.m., and Oct. 28, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Nevada Garden Club Center in Lorenzi Park, 3333 W. Washington Ave. Try your luck by submitting an entry. For more information, call 242-9259.

Linn Mills writes a gardening column each Thursday. You can reach him at Linn@reviewjournal.com or at the Gardens at the Springs Preserve at 822-7754.