Located on Highway 395 in Washoe Valley at the bottom of Washoe Hill. (Washoe City, Nevada)

Directions are easy. From Reno, drive approximately 15 minutes south on 395. From Carson City, drive 10 miles north on 395. From the Mount Rose Highway, turn south on 395; you'll be there in five minutes.

We have plenty of parking and easy access.

March 1, 2008 forever marks the opening of Dry Creek Garden Company's second nursery location in the center of historic Old Washoe City, beautifully located just south of Reno and north of Carson City at the northwestern edge of Little Washoe Lake.

The main building for the new nursery location is one of the last remaining buildings of Old Washoe City, once a thriving lumber town. Historians have described Old Washoe City as a vital contribution to the glorious success of the fabled Nevada Comstock mining boom of the mid 19th century. For a period of little over ten years, Old Washoe City was home to over 20,000 people, mostly lumberjacks felling and processing the sublime old growth forests of the Tahoe Basin. The timber was used primarily for fortifying the mines in Nevada and northern California.

But more than lumberjacks walked the main street of Old Washoe City. There were minors, would-be gentry, aspiring politicos, and the many men and women -- including slaves, traders, prostitutes and immigrants from all directions -- who would cater to the sudden city's many needs.

The main building of the new nursery has quite an historical past. Built circa, 1865, the building was centrally located, directly next to the Virginia & Truckee railroad line. The stone foundation once carried the County Seat; it was once a bank, a restaurant, and there are reports that it was both a jail and a bordello, although not necessarily at the same time.

The new Dry Creek Garden Company nursery comprises four acres of beautiful sun drenched land in this historic basin and range valley. We will be featuring an even greater selection of hardy plants that thrive here in our particular niche of this here spectatular basin and range. With more room, we will also be offering a wider selection of irrigation supplies, stylish and unique containers and lawn ornaments, organic fertilizers and soil enablers.

New Washoe City is close by. The entire valley is a wonderful neighborly community in an incredibly beautiful setting. We're only minutes away from Washoe Lake State Park. Stop by and visit! Bring your camera.

Demonstration Garden

John and Nancy's backyard is more like a lush desert arboretum with walkways through amazing plant specimens that are treated more like friends. Now the Stricklands have dedicated an acre of the new nursery to just such a place where visitors can see a living garden up close.

All those interested in landscaping and gardening techniques that integrate and compliment our unique climatic experience are invited to come experience the demonstration garden. Learn about plants that thrive locally, their usage in design, their growth habits, their size at different stages of maturity, their color and color regard. Also learn about proper soils, proper plant materials for our local wind and sun drenched terrain. Learn also about good watering practices. Learn about the importance of working with the sun's positioning for the Sierra's eastern side.

Washoe Lake State Park

Washoe and Little Washoe Lakes are located just south of Dry Creek Garden Company's Washoe Valley location. These two beautiful lakes are protected and maintained by the state park system in Nevada (the Nevada Division of State Parks website is where this information comes from). The park offers camping and day-use with boat launches, hiking and horseback riding trails only 15 minutes from Reno and just 10 minutes from Carson City.

Washoe Lake State Park enables the visitor to experience the geology and biology of the rain-shadow side of the northern Sierra. The ubiquitous wide-open views make bird watching a favorite way to spend time. Sections of the shallow edges of the lake have been preserved as wetlands for birds and other wildlife still at play in Washoe Valley. Unobtrusive viewing platforms have been setup within the indigenous plant and wildlife communities. With the snow covered peaks of the High Sierra, the area demands picture taking. Washoe Lake itself offers a variety of water sports including fishing.

Washoe Lake State Park is only minutes away from Dry Creek Garden Company's Washoe City nursery. From the parking lot, take U.S. 395 south to the East Lake Boulevard exit. From there, turn left driving south on East Lake Boulevard. The scenic drive to the park entrance is about about 7 miles.

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