Since Jan. 1, Sacramento has received only 2 inches --10.6 below average
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A soaker hose can deliver a long, slow drink of
water to precious trees and shrubs. Mulch helps
keep the moisture from evaporating too quickly. If possible, position the hose under the mulch for a better soak.
(Photo: Kathy Morrison)
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How dry are we? Our lack of rain is taking on historical proportions.
According to the National Weather Service, Sacramento has recorded its driest first five months in 128 years. That’s how long the weather service has been keeping track of our rain totals.
And so far in 2022, those totals have been mighty bleak. Since Jan. 1, downtown Sacramento has recorded just over 2 inches – 2.01 – in total precipitation, says the weather service. That includes 0.06 for all of May. Normal for May: 0.84 inches.
Rain totals for March (0.94) and April (0.96) were less than 1 inch for each month. That followed a rainless February and a nearly dry January (0.05).
Sacramento’s normal rainfall total for the first five months: 12.6 inches. That’s almost a 10.6-inch shortfall. (And yes, that means we are in a drought – again.)
Don’t expect much June precipitation to add to those totals. Sacramento’s June rainfall averages 0.21 inches – or one good summer cloudburst. According to the weather service, there’s a 25% chance of showers Sunday, June 5, but it will only be a drizzle (if it materializes) – 0.03 inches.
That lack of good soaking rain can mean rock-hard soil – particularly in areas without regular irrigation. Without a source of moisture, roots of trees and shrubs tend to die back, weakening the plant and causing instability.
To save your landscape, deep-water trees and shrubs. Give them a long, slow drink with a soaker hose.
Lack of moisture also increases fire danger. Grasses and other vegetation in unirrigated pastures and wilderness areas have already dried out and browned to a crisp. One spark can start a wildfire.
In breezy conditions (such as this week), avoid mowing dry grass or using power tools that may strike a rock and spark.
May also continued a trend of warmer than usual weather. Daily highs averaged 83.6 degrees, 2.4 above normal.
What can we expect in June? Besides mostly dry days, June averages highs of 87 degrees and lows of 56. But triple digits are not uncommon. The hottest June day on record in Sacramento: 115 degrees.
For more on Sacramento weather: https://www.weather.gov/sto/#
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Food in My Back Yard Series
April 22: Should you stock up on fertilizer? (Yes!)
April 15: Grow culinary herbs in containers
April 8: When to plant summer vegetables
April 1: Don't be fooled by these garden myths
March 25: Fertilizer tips: How to 'feed' your vegetables for healthy growth
March 18: Time to give vegetable seedlings some more space
March 11: Ways to win the fight against weeds
March 4: Potatoes from the garden
Feb. 25: Plant a fruit tree now -- for later
Feb. 18: How to squeeze more food into less space
Feb. 11: When to plant? Consider staggering your transplants
Feb. 4: Starting in seed starting
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Garden Checklist for week of April 27
Once the clouds clear, get to work. Spring growth is in high gear.
* Set out tomato, pepper and eggplant transplants.
* From seed, plant beans, beets, cantaloupes, carrots, corn, cucumbers, melons, pumpkins, radishes and squash. Plant onion sets.
* In the flower garden, plant seeds for asters, cosmos, celosia, marigolds, salvia, sunflowers and zinnias. Transplant petunias, zinnias, geraniums and other summer bloomers.
* Plant perennials and dahlia tubers for summer bloom. Late April is about the last chance to plant summer bulbs, such as gladiolus and tuberous begonias.
* Transplant lettuce and cabbage seedlings.
* Weed, weed, weed! Don’t let unwanted plants go to seed.
* April is the last chance to plant citrus trees such as dwarf orange, lemon and kumquat. These trees also look good in landscaping and provide fresh fruit in winter.
* Feed citrus trees with a low dose of balanced fertilizer (such as 10-10-10) during bloom to help set fruit. Keep an eye out for ants.
* Apply slow-release fertilizer to the lawn.
* Thoroughly clean debris from the bottom of outdoor ponds or fountains.
* Start thinning fruit that's formed on apple and stone fruit trees -- you'll get larger fruit at harvest (and avoid limb breakage) if some is thinned now. The UC recommendation is to thin fruit when it is about 3/4 of an inch in diameter. Peaches and nectarines should be thinned to about 6 inches apart; smaller fruit such as plums and pluots can be about 4 inches apart. Apricots can be left at 3 inches apart. Apples and pears should be thinned to one fruit per cluster of flowers, 6 to 8 inches apart.
* Azaleas and camellias looking a little yellow? If leaves are turning yellow between the veins, give them a boost with chelated iron.
* Trim dead flowers but not leaves from spring-flowering bulbs such as daffodils and tulips. Those leaves gather energy to create next year's flowers. Also, give the bulbs a fertilizer boost after bloom.
* Pinch chrysanthemums back to 12 inches for fall flowers. Cut old stems to the ground.
* Mulch around plants to conserve moisture and control weeds.
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