Sacramento could hit 111 degrees this week; remember to water
Plants in containers will need extra care during this hot week -- the soil dries out much quicker than for plants in the ground. Some pots may need to be watered twice a day. Kathy Morrison
This month is starting with a blast of triple-digit temperatures and a combination of official heat-related advisories. This week, an Extreme Heat Risk, Excessive Heat Warning and Red Flag Warning are all in effect as the National Weather Service forecasts temperatures from 105 to 115 in the Sacramento Valley and foothills.
Nights will be sizzling, too. In some places farther inland, overnight LOWS will stay in the 80s. It could still be 90 degrees when folks are watching after-dark fireworks on July Fourth.
Early mornings and evenings may be the only times to venture outside.
“Avoid outdoors in the sun from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.,” says the weather service. “Stay in a cool place, especially during the heat of the day.”
The weather service keeps tweaking its forecast, turning the expected highs up a notch. As of Monday morning (July 1), the forecast highs for Sacramento are 108 on Tuesday, 111 on Wednesday, 110 on Thursday’s July Fourth holiday, and 109 on Friday and Saturday. Monday’s expected 104 may be the coolest day of the week. (Sacramento’s all-time record for July: 114 degrees.)
“Stay hydrated,” says the weather service.
That goes for your gardens, too. Water deeply and early, preferably before 8 a.m.
July is usually Sacramento’s hottest month of the year. According to the weather service, Sacramento highs in July average 92.6 degrees; lows average 59.2. This week’s temperatures will be significantly higher than both.
How does this week stack up against July 2023? We started that month even hotter; July 1, 2023, hit a record 107 degrees. But due to a return of the Delta Breeze, July Fourth 2023 was only 88 degrees.
Overall, July 2023 was on the warm side; high temperatures averaged 94.3 degrees, almost two degrees above normal. In all, July 2023 totaled eight days in triple digits (peaking at 107 twice), but seven days in the 80s or 70s. That’s also typical of July; it’s not hot EVERY day.
Another aspect was totally normal: Sacramento did not see a drop of rain in July 2023. It’s unlikely we’ll see any this month either.
That means our gardens are totally dependent on irrigation; don’t forget to water! Transplants are quick to dry out; so are seedlings. Lack of consistent moisture can cause blossom end rot on tomatoes, peppers and other summer favorites.
For our gardens, there are some positives about this heat wave. High temperatures kill most fungal diseases. Say goodbye to powdery mildew, rust and blackspot.
Triple-digit temperatures also impact reproduction of some garden pests such as stinkbugs. This extended blast could wipe out an entire generation.
One more plus: Grass tends not to grow when it’s hotter than 100 degrees. Skip mowing – and relax with a cool drink indoors.
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Food in My Back Yard (FIMBY) Series
FALL
Dec. 2: Plant artichokes now; enjoy for years to come
Nov. 25: It's late November, and your peach tree needs spraying
Nov. 18: What to do with all those fallen leaves?
Nov. 11: Prepare now for colder weather in the edible garden
Nov. 4: Plant a pea patch for you and your garden
Oct. 27: As citrus season begins, advice for backyard growers
Oct. 20: Change is in the autumn air
Oct. 13: We don't talk (enough) about beets
Oct. 6: Fava beans do double duty
Sept. 30: Seeds or transplants for cool-season veggies?
Sept. 23: How to prolong the fall tomato harvest
SUMMER
Sept. 16: Time to shut it down?
Sept. 9: How to get the most out of your pumpkin patch
Sept. 2: Summer-to-fall transition time for evaluation, planning
Aug. 26: To pick or not to pick those tomatoes?
Aug. 19: Put worms to work for you
Aug. 12: Grow food while saving water
Aug. 5: Enhance your food with edible flowers
July 29: Why won't my tomatoes turn red?
July 22: A squash plant has mosaic virus, and it's not pretty
July 15: Does this plant need water?
July 8: Tear out that sad plant or baby it? Midsummer decisions
July 1: How to grow summer salad greens
June 24: Weird stuff that's perfectly normal
SPRING
June 17: Help pollinators help your garden
June 10: Battling early-season tomato pests
June 3: Make your own compost
May 27: Where are the bees when you need them?
May 20: How to help tomatoes thrive on hot days
May 13: Your plants can tell you more than any calendar can
May 6: Maintain soil moisture with mulch for garden success
April 29: What's (already) wrong with my tomato plants?
April 22: Should you stock up on fertilizer? (Yes!)
April 15: Grow culinary herbs in containers
April 8: When to plant summer vegetables
April 1: Don't be fooled by these garden myths
March 25: Fertilizer tips: How to 'feed' your vegetables for healthy growth
WINTER
March 18: Time to give vegetable seedlings some more space
March 11: Ways to win the fight against weeds
March 4: Potatoes from the garden
Feb. 25: Plant a fruit tree now -- for later
Feb. 18: How to squeeze more food into less space
Feb. 11: When to plant? Consider staggering your transplants
Feb. 4: Starting in seed starting
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Garden checklist for week of Nov. 30
It's going to get colder after the fog (finally) dissipates. Without the fog, damp ground will finally have a chance to dry out – and no rain is in the forecast for at least a week.
Make the most of this break in the weather and tackle late fall chores:
* Protect tender plants from possible frost damage. Don’t leave poinsettias outdoors.
* 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.
* Clear gutters and storm drains.
* Prune dead or broken branches from trees.
* 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.
* Plant bulbs at two-week intervals to spread out your spring bloom. Some possible suggestions: daffodils, crocuses, hyacinths, tulips, anemones and scillas.
* Seed wildflowers and plant such spring bloomers as sweet pea, sweet alyssum and bachelor buttons.
* Set out cool-weather annuals such as pansies and snapdragons.
* Lettuce, cabbage and broccoli also can be planted now.
* Plant garlic and onions.
* Give your azaleas, gardenias and camellias a boost with chelated iron.
* For larger blooms, pinch off some camellia buds.
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