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Summer is right around the corner, and many of us are looking for ways to immerse ourselves in all its glory. For some, summer means sipping wine at a local [...]
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Make the most of your irrigation; Green Acres offers free workshops
What month is this? These Easter lilies bloomed in July in Sacramento. Like all lilies, they appreciate consistent irrigation. Debbie Arrington
July is Sacramento’s hottest month of the year – and when we use the most outdoor irrigation.
Are you getting the most out of your sprinklers or drip system?
Now is a good time to do a quick check-up of your irrigation system – if you haven’t already. Walk around your landscape while the system is running and take note of which heads are doing what – are they blocked by foliage, gushing geysers into the air or not working at all?
With drip systems, hunt for dry spots where emitters may be blocked. Plunge a moisture meter or 6-inch screwdriver into the soil; if it’s too dry, there may be an issue.
One easy fix that will save water: Upgrade to high-efficiency rotary sprinkler heads. These rotating nozzles put out streams of heavy droplets that allow for better coverage and less evaporation than traditional spray heads. They can be installed with a screwdriver. Rebates may be available; check www.bewatersmart.info.
Just make sure to change all the heads on an irrigation station. A mix of heads makes for uneven distribution – dry spots and wet spots – and an unhealthy landscape.
Want to learn more about irrigation? Get answers to your watering questions? Check out these free workshops Saturday at all locations of Green Acres Nursery & Supply.
At 10 a.m. July 8, every Green Acres will host “Irrigation 101: Water Efficiency,” an information-packed seminar that simplifies this essential topic. Green Acres irrigation experts will walk participants through the steps of retrofitting sprinklers and upgrading technology. They’ll also answer questions about specific circumstances. Green Acres stocks many of these irrigation components and staff will help participants pick out the right parts for their irrigation needs.
Green Acres nurseries are located in Sacramento, Auburn, Citrus Heights, Elk Grove, Folsom, Rocklin and Roseville.
For more details and directions: https://idiggreenacres.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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