Rain may finally be on its way; plan accordingly
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Seed garlic, like this Purple Glazer hardneck variety, can be planted
now. (Photo: Kathy Morrison) |
Nearly perfect fall weather makes gardening very pleasant this weekend, but change is in the air.
According to the National Weather Service, expect an “unsettled weather pattern,” starting midweek and extending into next weekend. That includes a 50% chance of measurable rainfall on Wednesday – breaking a dry spell for Downtown Sacramento that started March 20.
There’s a 40% chance of precipitation Sunday night, too, says the weather service, especially for the foothills. But these fast-moving storms won’t amount to much in the Valley. The week’s predicted rain total: 0.05 inches.
Next Saturday could be wet all over. The weather service forecast for Oct. 23 for Sacramento: “Likely rain showers.”
Meanwhile, clouds will keep temperatures on the cool side. After a near-normal start this weekend, afternoon highs will struggle to reach the low 70s. Wednesday’s high is expected to be 65 degrees, 13 degrees below normal. Nights will be chilly, too; Tuesday’s forecast overnight low is 42 degrees.
Make the most of these sunny days; there’s a lot to do!
* Got bulbs? Pre-chill tulips and hyacinths for six weeks in the refrigerator crisper drawer before planting. Daffodils can go directly into the ground or pots.
* Speaking of bulbs, dig up corms and tubers of gladioli, dahlias and tuberous begonias after the foliage dies. Clean and store in a cool, dry place.
* October is the best month to plant perennials in our area. It’s also a great time to divide crowded perennials (and share with friends). When replanting, add a little well-aged compost and bone meal to the planting hole, but hold off on other fertilizers until spring. Keep the transplants well-watered (but not wet) for the first month as they become settled.
* Treat azaleas, gardenias and camellias with chelated iron if leaves are yellowing between the veins.
* Harvest pumpkins and winter squash.
* Harvest apples, pears and other winter fruit. Watch out for critters. Pick up and dispose of fallen fruit.
* Green tomatoes still hanging around on nearly-dead vines? If they’re large enough to contain seeds, they’ll ripen off the plant. Pick those last tomatoes, ripen them indoors and compost the vines.
* Now is the time to plant seeds for many flowers directly into the garden, including cornflower, nasturtium, nigella, poppy, portulaca, sweet pea and stock.
* Plant seeds for radishes, bok choy, mustard, spinach and peas.
* Plant garlic and onions.
* Set out cool-weather bedding plants, including calendula, pansy, snapdragon, primrose and viola.
* Transplant cabbage, kale, broccoli, collards and other cole cousins as well as lettuce and leafy greens.
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Food in My Back Yard Series
SUMMER
July 15: Does this plant need water?
July 8: Tear out that sad plant or baby it? Midsummer decisions
July 1: How to grow summer salad greens
June 24: Weird stuff that's perfectly normal
SPRING
June 17: Help pollinators help your garden
June 10: Battling early-season tomato pests
June 3: Make your own compost
May 27: Where are the bees when you need them?
May 20: How to help tomatoes thrive on hot days
May 13: Your plants can tell you more than any calendar can
May 6: Maintain soil moisture with mulch for garden success
April 29: What's (already) wrong with my tomato plants?
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
WINTER
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
Sites We Like
Garden checklist for week of July 13
Put off big chores and planting until later in the week when the weather is cooler. In the meantime, remember to stay hydrated – advice for both you and your garden.
* Keep your vegetable garden watered, mulched and weeded. Water before 8 a.m. to reduce the chance of fungal infection and to conserve moisture.
* Water, then fertilize vegetables and blooming annuals, perennials and shrubs to give them a boost. Feeding flowering plants every other week will extend their bloom.
* Give vegetable plants bone meal or other fertilizers high in phosphate to stimulate more blooms and fruiting.
* Add some summer color. Plant petunias, snapdragons, zinnias and marigolds.
* From seed, plant corn, pumpkins, radishes, winter squash and sunflowers. Plant Halloween pumpkins now.
* Pinch back chrysanthemums for bushy plants and more flowers in September.
* Remove spent flowers from roses, daylilies and other bloomers as they finish flowering.
* Pinch off blooms from basil so the plant will grow more leaves.
* Cut back lavender after flowering to promote a second bloom.
Contact Us
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