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School trees will get some help at SacTree event

Mulching morning at Smythe Academy needs volunteers

Sacramento Digs Gardening
BY Debbie Arrington PUBLISHED JUN 28, 2021

Wood-chip mulch helps retain soil moisture and protects

a tree's roots. (Photo courtesy Sacramento Tree Foundation)

This Independence Day weekend, step up to help some local trees – and learn how to help your own trees, too.

On Saturday morning, July 3, the Sacramento Tree Foundation will host a Mulching Day at Smythe Academy, 2781 Northgate Blvd., Sacramento. Volunteers will be out in force from 8:45 a.m. to noon.

Participation is free, but volunteers should register in advance: https://bit.ly/3gZQknL .

These particular trees have special meaning, according to the foundation, because they’re school trees. Students enjoy their shade as well as learn about trees from these examples.

“School trees need our help to get through this hot, dry summer!” say the organizers. “Volunteer with us to mulch, stake, and care for young and mature trees that our children enjoy and learn from.”

SacTree experts will lead the mulching.

“All tools will be provided,” say the organizers. “Please bring a water bottle (and wear) closed-toed shoes, a hat, and work clothing. Wood chips contain dust and pollen that can irritate your respiratory system, so bring a mask to protect your lungs and sinuses.”

As for COVID protocols, non-vaccinated people should wear face masks, too. This is an outdoor activity with plenty of room for social distancing.

For details: www.sactree.com .

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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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