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Pick up a 'Garden Sampler' for best Sierra foothill advice

Sacramento Digs Gardening
PUBLISHED SEP 16, 2018

Gardening guide and calendar designed for Placer, El Dorado and Nevada counties

Gardening is different in the Sierra foothills. With higher elevations come subtle changes in weather compared to the Valley; in particular, more rain and colder winter nights. Surrounded by nature and open space, there’s a greater threat of wildfire. Deer and other wildlife are more likely to visit backyards.

All those factors and more shape the foothill approach to gardening.

If you’re a foothill gardener in need of great, totally local advice, pick up a copy of “Garden Sampler,” the 2019 Calendar and Garden Guide created by the UC Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners of Placer County. This excellent gardening tool is now available for $10 at several locations in Placer, El Dorado and Nevada counties as well as at special events this fall.

Or get one directly from the master gardeners at the Placer County office, Building 306 in the DeWitt Center, 11477 E Ave., Auburn (530-889-7385), or at the El Dorado County master gardeners office, 311 Fair Lane, Placerville (530-621-5512).

This 13-month calendar is packed with garden inspiration, focusing on different styles of foothill gardening, according to the master gardeners. “Additionally, there are seasonal tips on how to care for your garden sustainability, as well as timely planting suggestions. Not into growing your own fruits or vegetables? The ‘In Season at the Market’ section is just for you.”

Look for “Garden Sampler” in local nurseries and garden shops as well as the Fall Auburn Home Show, Sept. 28-30, at Auburn’s Gold Country Fairgrounds. More details: http://pcmg.ucanr.org/

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UCCE master gardeners gardening Sacramento calendar backyard gardens El Dorado County Placer County fall gardening 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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