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September heat wave dangerous for gardeners

National Weather Service warns people to stay indoors

If you do have to be in the garden the next few days, make it as early in the day as possible. Wear a hat and drink plenty of water -- then scurry indoors.

If you do have to be in the garden the next few days, make it as early in the day as possible. Wear a hat and drink plenty of water -- then scurry indoors. Kathy Morrison

September’s heatwave has been epic, and the month isn't even a week old. Just ask the National Weather Service.

“Heat like this is rare and can be deadly,” the Sacramento NWS office tweeted Monday morning. “Entire population is at risk.”

With more triple-digit days on the way, the weather service’s excessive-heat warning has been extended through 8 p.m. Thursday.

After a balmy night in the high 70s, Monday started hot and got hotter. By 10 a.m., temperatures were already in the high 80s and headed north of 110.

“Labor Day will be very hot across interior #NorCal as the current heatwave cranks up another notch!” tweeted the weather service. “Most of the Central Valley is expected to see high temperatures above 110 degrees this afternoon. Practice heat safety!”

This string of extremes is unusual, added the weather service. “How significant is this September Heatwave? Several high and warm low temperature records could be broken, as well as the number of 100° and 110° days in a calendar year,” it tweeted.

On Monday, the weather service estimated that Downtown Sacramento had an 80% chance of breaking September’s all-time record of 109 degrees. That mark was tied on Labor Day 2020. Local predictions ranged from 110 to 112 degrees.

But the heat doesn’t stop there. The weather service says there’s an almost 1 in 4 chance – 24% – that Downtown Sacramento hits its all-time record high temperature of 114 degree on Tuesday; maybe not break it, but match it. Ouch!

“A prolonged period of dangerous heat is expected across interior NorCal this week (during this) excessive heat event,” the weather service says. “Everyone is at risk for heat-related illnesses if precautions are not taken. Drink plenty of water, seek air conditioning, and avoid spending time outdoors.”

No matter how much we want to go out and work in our gardens, now is not the time. Water as early as possible. Harvest anything that’s close to ripe. Then, retreat to some space in front of a fan. Show your houseplants some TLC.

Fortunately, the “heat dome” causing this triple-digit spree can’t stay there forever. The weather service expects temperatures to cool back to normal – 91 degrees – by Sunday.

For more on Sacramento weather: https://www.weather.gov/sto/

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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.

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