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Spring Gardening Tips for a Flourishing Garden
As the vibrant colors of spring burst forth and the air fills with the sweet scent of blossoms, it's the perfect time to roll up your sleeves and tend to your garden. Whether you're a seasoned gar...
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Plant garlic, artichokes, herbs and more -- when it's not raining
It’s official: Winter has arrived!
This California Christmas week looks pretty chilly with lots of rain in the Valley and several feet of snow in the Sierra.
On this first day of winter, Sacramento is shivering in the 40s – but that’s balmy compared to higher elevations. Truckee’s forecast high on Christmas Day is only 27 degrees with an overnight low of just 12.
While we might not have much good “gardening weather” this week, it doesn’t mean we’re not gardening.
* Two favorite crops – onions and garlic – are traditionally planted on the first day of winter (or soon after) for summer harvest. These root vegetables both come with a bonus; their greens can be used in winter and spring.
* Also ready for planting (as soon as the ground dries out a little) are bare-root artichokes and asparagus. Both perennial vegetables do well in Sacramento and can be planted in late December or January. Because they’ll stay in the same place for years to come, make sure their new home has good drainage and plenty of organic matter such as compost worked into the soil. Ideally, choose a spot with morning sun and a little afternoon shade to avoid sunburn in summer.
* This also is the time to plant bare-root roses and fruit trees such as fig, apple, pear, peach, cherry, nectarine, plum and apricot (and all their relatives). Buy early for best selection.
* Got bulbs? Put together a quicky two-punch flower display that also makes a great gift. In a deep pot, plant tulips, daffodils or other bulbs about 6 inches deep. Cover with an inch or two of soil. Then, transplant pansies, calendulas, Iceland poppies, cyclamen or other winter bloomers on top of the bulbs. Space the transplants so they’re between the bulbs if possible. Or group all the bulbs in the center of the pot and transplant the pansies, etc., around the pot’s edge. The annuals will soon cover the top of the pot with flowers, then the bulbs will push up between them, adding some late winter thrills.
* Herb gardening is year-round. Herbs also make good living Christmas gifts for both the gardeners and cooks on your gift list. Basil and parsley can be grown indoors in winter on a sunny, warm window sill. Other good gift herbs include chives, lavender, lemon balm, marjoram, mint, oregano, rosemary, tarragon and thyme. Or give garlic with instructions on how to plant.
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Garden Checklist for week of May 19
Temperatures will be a bit higher than normal in the afternoons this week. Take care of chores early in the day – then enjoy the afternoon. It’s time to smell the roses.
* Plant, plant, plant! It’s prime planting season in the Sacramento area. If you haven’t already, it’s time to set out those tomato transplants along with peppers and eggplants. Pinch off any flowers on new transplants to make them concentrate on establishing roots instead of setting premature fruit.
* Direct-seed melons, cucumbers, summer squash, corn, radishes, pumpkins and annual herbs such as basil.
* Harvest cabbage, lettuce, peas and green onions.
* In the flower garden, direct-seed sunflowers, cosmos, salvia, zinnias, marigolds, celosia and asters.
* Plant dahlia tubers. Other perennials to set out include verbena, coreopsis, coneflower and astilbe.
* Transplant petunias, marigolds and perennial flowers such as astilbe, columbine, coneflowers, coreopsis, dahlias, rudbeckia and verbena.
* Keep an eye out for slugs, snails, earwigs and aphids that want to dine on tender new growth.
* Feed summer bloomers with a balanced fertilizer.
* For continued bloom, cut off spent flowers on roses as well as other flowering plants.
* Don’t forget to water. Seedlings need moisture. Deep watering will help build strong roots and healthy plants.
* Add mulch to the garden to help keep that precious water from evaporating. Mulch also cuts down on weeds. But don’t let it mound around the stems or trunks of trees or shrubs. Leave about a 6-inch to 1-foot circle to avoid crown rot or other problems.
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