Schools, community groups encouraged to apply
Pumpkin and herbed greens fill appetizers fit for a party
Cooler weather also brings gusty winds to Northern California
Find a new flower vase or special plant container
The sale includes more than 20,000 plants perfect for Sacramento-area gardens
Join the party Saturday at the Fulton Avenue store
Customers will receive flowers to keep and to share
Pick up master gardeners' tips for the best spring displays
Gnocchi roasted in the oven is a revelation
Get busy during week of perfect fall weather
Loomis in the spotlight with compost class, High-Hand Nursery event
Shade from trees can make the difference during stifling summer heat
Take a slow journey through an area populated by natural life
Find a favorite new rose among the hundreds on display
Bring garden questions, plant problems or mystery pests
Layer fresh Mediterranean vegetables for a colorful salad
The weather's perfect for planting
More weekend events: Plant sale, gardening classes
Plenty of inspiration and information for gardeners
Plants should be part of the plan for fire safety
Sacramento Digs Gardening to your inbox.
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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.