New! Persimmon-raisin scones with fresh Fuyu persimmon
Get ready to chill as cold fronts bring potential frost
Famous feng shui expert opens her private Huei's Garden to the public Saturday
Each month offers tips on keeping the garden and the gardeners healthy
Thoughtful landscaping can channel more deep irrigation to trees, shrubs
Spectacular chrysanthemums on display plus potted plants for sale
One-acre nursery offers thousands of water-wise plants at bargain prices
New! Autumn spices and mix-ins boost the fall vibe
Week starts soggy as Sacramento settles into fall weather pattern
Sacramento Tree Foundation offers ‘Tree Identification’ workshop, walking tour
Environmental factors combine to cause the ripening fruit to burst
SCTA hosts huge event at Shepard Center including daily fashion shows
Sacramento Valley can expect gusts up to 50 mph, says weather service
Find out how to transform houseplants into living art at Green Acres in Elk Grove
New! Spiced pumpkin pancakes make use of favorite fall flavors
November starts with typical fall weather – mild
Garden forecast: November starts with real rain, then more warm days
Visit CNPS Garden Ambassador's 1-acre site; registration required
Half Moon Bay champion wins by a margin of just 6 pounds
Master gardeners offer free workshop on 'Asexual Propagation'
Elk Grove destination garden shop to hold annual open house
Sacramento Digs Gardening to your inbox.
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Garden Checklist for week of Nov. 17
Expect the coming storms to knock down an enormous amount of leaves. Grab a rake and get to work!
* Rake and compost leaves, but dispose of any diseased plant material. For example, if peach and nectarine trees showed signs of leaf curl this year, clean up under trees and dispose of those leaves instead of composting.
* Use some of those nice fall leaves as mulch around shrubs and trees or in the vegetable garden.
* Save dry stalks and seedpods from poppies and coneflowers for fall bouquets and holiday decorating.
* For holiday blooms indoors, plant paperwhite narcissus bulbs now. Fill a shallow bowl or dish with 2 inches of rocks or pebbles. Place bulbs in the dish with the root end nestled in the rocks. Add water until it just touches the bottom of the bulbs. Place the dish in a sunny window. Add water as needed.
* Give your azaleas, gardenias and camellias a boost with chelated iron.
* After they bloom, chrysanthemums should be trimmed to 6 to 8 inches above the ground. If in pots, keep the mums in their containers until next spring. Then, they can be planted in the ground, if desired, or repotted.
* Prune non-flowering trees and shrubs while dormant.
* Keep planting bulbs to spread out your spring bloom. Some possible suggestions: daffodils, crocuses, hyacinths, tulips, anemones and scillas.
* This is also a good time to seed wildflowers and plant such spring bloomers as sweet pea, sweet alyssum and bachelor buttons.
* Now is the best time to plant most trees and shrubs. This gives them plenty of time for root development before spring growth. They also benefit from fall and winter rains.
* Set out cool-weather annuals such as pansies and snapdragons.
* Lettuce, cabbage and broccoli also can be planted now.
* Plant garlic and onions.