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Take a holiday home tour -- and help a cause


Inspirational decorations fill each stop of  El Dorado
Hills'
Homes for the Holidays tours. (Photo courtesy
Assistance League of Sierra Foothills.)

Rain or shine, these tours spark inspiration

A little (or a lot) of rain can’t dampen this holiday spirit.

Two major holiday home tours will be held this weekend, boosting the greater Sacramento area’s seasonal spirit.

Today patrons were already out walking the streets of Sacramento’s Fabulous Forties during the 46th annual Sacred Heart Holiday Home Tour. One of the largest events of its kind in our area, this tour regularly attracts more than 5,000 people, who stroll through the grand neighborhood to see five homes decked out in holiday splendor.

This isn’t the first time there’s been rain on this neighborhood parade. Preparations include contingencies for rain, umbrellas and wet feet. Refreshments (including some warm beverages) will be offered at the Sacred Heart Parish School, which also will host a huge boutique of locally sourced products and a Champagne Bar. (Admission to the boutique is free.)

The Sacred Heart Tour continues 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8. Tickets ($30) are available at
www.sacredhearthometour.com , Sacred Heart School, 856 39th St., and the first home on the tour, 1370 46th St. Proceeds support programs and scholarships to Sacred Heart.

In El Dorado Hills, Homes for the Holidays celebrates its 10th year on Dec. 7 and 8. Hosted by the Assistance League of Sierra Foothills, this popular tour raises funds for disadvantaged and homeless children and families. Spectacular homes are decked out in equally eye-popping style, inspiring many a holiday decorating project. In addition, this tour offers a raffle with outrageous prizes and a boutique of handmade gifts.

Tour hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Tickets ($25 for adults, $10 for children) are available at www.assistanceleague.org/sierra-foothills/ .

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Garden Checklist for week of April 21

This week there’s plenty to keep gardeners busy. With no rain in the immediate forecast, remember to irrigate any new transplants.

* Weed, weed, weed! Get them before they flower and go to seed.

* April is the last chance to plant citrus trees such as dwarf orange, lemon and kumquat. These trees also look good in landscaping and provide fresh fruit in winter.

* Smell orange blossoms? Feed citrus trees with a low dose of balanced fertilizer (such as 10-10-10) during bloom to help set fruit. Keep an eye out for ants.

* Apply slow-release fertilizer to the lawn.

* Thoroughly clean debris from the bottom of outdoor ponds or fountains.

* Spring brings a flush of rapid growth, and that means your garden is really hungry. Feed shrubs and trees with a slow-release fertilizer. Or mulch with a 1-inch layer of compost.

* Azaleas and camellias looking a little yellow? If leaves are turning yellow between the veins, give them a boost with chelated iron.

* Trim dead flowers but not leaves from spring-flowering bulbs such as daffodils and tulips. Those leaves gather energy to create next year's flowers. Also, give the bulbs a fertilizer boost after bloom.

* Pinch chrysanthemums back to 12 inches for fall flowers. Cut old stems to the ground.

* Mulch around plants to conserve moisture and control weeds.

* From seed, plant beans, beets, cantaloupes, carrots, corn, cucumbers, melons, radishes and squash.

* Plant onion sets.

* In the flower garden, plant seeds for asters, cosmos, celosia, marigolds, salvia, sunflowers and zinnias.

* Transplant petunias, zinnias, geraniums and other summer bloomers.

* Plant perennials and dahlia tubers for summer bloom.

* Mid to late April is about the last chance to plant summer bulbs, such as gladiolus and tuberous begonias.

* Transplant lettuce seedlings. Choose varieties that mature quickly such as loose leaf.

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