Discover six private gardens with lots of personality
Get advice from local experts; see how they tackle spring tasks
NEW Strawberries shine, raspberries add color to versatile sauce
April showers will give way to plenty of sunshine
Perennial Plant Club shifts second day of event to Sunday; other Saturday events still planned
Saturday event designed for gardeners of all ages
Find member-grown perennials, natives and more; event also includes tours, food, tool sharpening, garden art
Popular tour led by Warren Roberts highlights spring flowers in the public gardens
Sacramento club's annual event includes beginner workshop, guest artist demonstrations
NEW Ham and baby potato casserole with glazed carrots
Grab your sun hat; heat is on its way
Events at famous feng shui oasis raise funds to help children at Shriners Hospital.
Burbank High, Elk Grove Garden Club events Saturday
SacValley CNPS Nursery & Gardens hosts sale, needs used containers for future sales
Event features succulents, natives and water-wise perennials; members get in early
Capital City African Violet Society hosts annual event
NEW Chocolate glaze especially appropriate for a holiday dessert
April starts with a sunny break before more showers
Master rosarian shares tips with Farmer Fred on spring rose care basics, propagation
Gardens' best finery on display in fundraisers and free events
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Garden Checklist for week of June 23
Get to work in the mornings while it’s still cool.
* Irrigate early in the day; your plants will appreciate it.
* Generally, tomatoes need deep watering two to three times a week, but don't let them dry out completely. That can encourage blossom-end rot.
* Let the grass grow longer. Set the mower blades high to reduce stress on your lawn during summer heat. To cut down on evaporation, water your lawn deeply during the early hours of the morning, between 2 and 8 a.m.
* Tie up vines and stake tall plants such as gladiolus and lilies. That gives their heavy flowers some support.
* Dig and divide crowded bulbs after the tops have died down.
* Feed summer flowers with a slow-release fertilizer.
* Mulch, mulch, mulch! This “blanket” keeps moisture in the soil longer and helps your plants cope during hot weather.
* Avoid pot “hot feet.” Place a 1-inch-thick board under container plants sitting on pavement. This little cushion helps insulate them from radiated heat.
* Thin grapes on the vine for bigger, better clusters later this summer.
* Cut back fruit-bearing canes on berries.
* Feed camellias, azaleas and other acid-loving plants. Mulch to conserve moisture and reduce heat stress.
* Cut back Shasta daisies after flowering to encourage a second bloom in the fall.
* Trim off dead flowers from rose bushes to keep them blooming through the summer. Roses also benefit from deep watering and feeding now. A top dressing of aged compost will keep them happy. It feeds as well as keeps roots moist.
* Pinch back chrysanthemums for bushier plants with many more flowers in September.
* From seed, plant corn, pumpkins, radishes, melons, squash and sunflowers.
* Plant basil to go with your tomatoes.
* Transplant summer annuals such as petunias, marigolds and zinnias.
* It’s also a good time to transplant perennial flowers including astilbe, columbine, coneflowers, coreopsis, dahlias, rudbeckia, salvia and verbena.