Timely workshops for fall planting season
Help grow the next generation of native oaks
Find native plants that are perfect for our climate
See the newest exotic cultivars as well as old favorites
Turn those early apples into an almost-fall treat
What to do in the garden now the heat has subsided
The combination of extreme heat plus smoke has stressed plants as well as people.
Bring gardening questions to this free public event
Hardy tropical plants can handle high temperatures.
Broccoli: It's green, it's healthy, and it can be a challenge to grow in warmer areas.
Indoors is safer for humans and pets. Plants will survive if they're well-irrigated.
This creamy dessert won’t heat up the kitchen like most fruit pies.
Water early and deeply to help plants survive the heat wave
How gardeners can help rose growers choose what to plant
It's too hot to plant now but not too hot to plan a fall garden.
Melon-avocado salad with lemon vinaigrette
Sacramento Digs Gardening to your inbox.
Sites We Like
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.