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As summer approaches, City prepared to open weather-respite centers
As summer approaches and the temperatures rise, the City is prepared to open weather-respite centers during extreme heat. Following its use as a respite location during winter storms, the City’s O...
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Sacramento gets soaked (again) as we ‘spring’ forward
Camellia petals on the ground -- and soggy, too! Yikes, gather those up to prevent the spread of blossom blight. Kathy Morrison
Keep your rain boots handy; our very wet March continues with storms in the forecast every day this week except Thursday.
Depending on where this latest atmospheric river flows, Sacramento could get another 2 inches – or double that amount. According to the National Weather Service, the forecast is quite literally fluid.
On Saturday morning, the weather service issued warnings for thunderstorms and funnel clouds into Saturday night. Sunday’s forecast calls for “definite rain showers and thunderstorms.” The chance of precipitation on Tuesday is 100%.
Meanwhile, our temperatures have drifted up to almost normal. Afternoon highs will still be on the cool side – right around 60 to 62 degrees – but overnight lows will be in the mid 40s to mid 50s, enough of an increase to start warming up the soil.
It’s also time to reset our clocks as we “spring” forward for Daylight Saving Time. Move your clocks ahead one hour before you go to bed Saturday night.
As a gardener, it’s time for patience. Although spring fever has definitely arrived, soil is going to be very wet after all this rain. Wait for water to drain before digging and planting. Walking on or working wet soil can compact it, turning clay particles into brick-like clods.
The good news: All this moisture should assure a big spring bloom – when our sunshine finally returns.
* Fertilize roses, annual flowers and berries as spring growth begins to appear.
* Pull weeds now! Don’t let them get started. Take a hoe and whack them as soon as they sprout.
* Once the rain stops, start preparing vegetable beds. Spade in compost and other amendments.
* Prune and fertilize spring-flowering shrubs after bloom.
* Feed camellias at the end of their bloom cycle. Pick up browned and fallen flowers to help corral blossom blight.
* Feed citrus trees when they start showing blooms.
* Cut back and fertilize perennial herbs to encourage new growth.
* Transplant lettuce, collards and kale.
* Seed chard and beets directly into the ground.
* This is your last chance to plant such cool-season annuals as pansies, violas and primroses.
* Plant summer bulbs, including gladiolus, tuberous begonias and callas. Also plant dahlia tubers.
* Shop for perennials. Many varieties are available in local nurseries and at plant events. They can be transplanted now while the weather remains relatively cool.
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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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