Clubs to offer their expertise, plants and wares; volunteers needed for McKinley Park beautification event
The Shepard Center is in the eastern extension of McKinley Park, which will gain some new trees Saturday. The center's big Spring Sale also happens this weekend. Admission is free. Kathy Morrison
This Saturday and Sunday, March 16 and 17, the garden and arts center in East Sacramento hosts its annual Spring Sale, featuring the two dozen-plus clubs that call Shepard home.
Shop for plants, flowers, crafts, jewelry, books, garden art and more at this huge event. Bring your dull knives and garden tools for sharpening (for a small donation).
This event is also a great chance to learn more about local garden and crafts clubs that meet at Shepard Center as well as get some expert advice. (See the list of clubs here.)
Sale hours are 10 a.m to 4 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. Admission and parking are free.
Shepard Center is located at 3330 McKinley Blvd., Sacramento. For details and directions: https://www.sgaac.org/.
Also happening Saturday, March 16, is a volunteer opportunity that will have a lasting impact on McKinley Park, site of the center. Shepard Center is collaborating with the city’s Parks Department, the Sacramento Tree Foundation and SMUD to plant new trees in McKinley Park. These trees are replacements for some of those heavily damaged during last winter’s storms.
Saturday is the second part of a two-day planting spree at McKinley Park. Earlier this year, 30 volunteers representing several of Shepard’s clubs planted 13 new trees. City park staff dug the holes, then volunteers planted the trees and spread mulch rings around their planting sites. That’s also the plan for this second tree-planting event.
Chosen with the help of SacTree arborists, the new trees include ginkgo, cypress and tupelo varieties.
Saturday’s tree planting starts with a volunteer orientation at 9 a.m. at Clunie Memorial, at the western edge of McKinley Park, Alhambra Boulevard and F Street. Bring gloves and wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes.
Want to volunteer? Email Will Green at WGreen@surewest.net to RSVP.
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Garden Checklist for week of Feb. 16
Take advantage of this nice weather. There’s plenty to do as your garden starts to switch into high gear for spring growth.
* This is the last chance to spray fruit trees before their buds open. Treat peach and nectarine trees with copper-based fungicide. Spray apricot trees at bud swell to prevent brown rot. Apply horticultural oil to control scale, mites and aphids on fruit trees.
* Check soil moisture before resuming irrigation. Most likely, your soil is still pretty damp.
* Feed spring-blooming shrubs and fall-planted perennials with slow-release fertilizer. Feed mature trees and shrubs after spring growth starts.
* Transplant or direct-seed several flowers, including snapdragon, candytuft, lilies, astilbe, larkspur, Shasta and painted daisies, stocks, bleeding heart and coral bells.
* In the vegetable garden, plant Jerusalem artichoke tubers, and strawberry and rhubarb roots.
* Transplant cabbage and its close cousins – broccoli, kale and cauliflower – as well as lettuce (both loose leaf and head).
* Indoors, start peppers, tomatoes and eggplant from seed.
* Plant artichokes, asparagus and horseradish from root divisions.
* Plant potatoes from tubers and onions from sets (small bulbs). The onions will sprout quickly and can be used as green onions in March.
* From seed, plant beets, chard, lettuce, mustard, peas, radishes and turnips.
* Annuals are showing up in nurseries, but wait until the weather warms up a bit before planting. Instead, set out flowering perennials such as columbine and delphinium.
* Plant summer-flowering bulbs including cannas, calla lilies and gladiolus.