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'Wet and mild' winter could be ahead

Old Farmer's Almanac predicts rain, warm temperatures for Northern California

A bucketful of rain is a welcome sight -- and we'll be seeing more rain this winter, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac.

A bucketful of rain is a welcome sight -- and we'll be seeing more rain this winter, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac. Kathy Morrison

Happy winter solstice! The shortest day of the year, Wednesday marks the first day of winter and the start of what should be the coldest and wettest season of our gardening year. What can we expect in the months ahead?

According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, California and much of the west should enjoy a “wet and mild” winter – rainy but relatively warm. Meanwhile, the Midwest and East will be “shivery and snowy.” (Where would you rather garden?)

Now in its 231st year, the Old Farmer’s Almanac has a knack for long-term seasonal forecasts and has been helping farmers – and gardeners – plan ahead for more than two centuries. Its publishers released its winter forecast in November, well before blizzard conditions started barreling across the Central U.S. A bomb cyclone definitely fits that shivery, snowy prediction.

For us Northern Californians, the Almanac foresees “above normal” precipitation coupled with “above average” temperatures. Fortunately, the forecast also predicts above average Sierra snow. But if temperatures drift too high, that snow pack may melt quickly.

Warmer than average temperatures may bring an early spring as trees and shrubs bud out early. Historically, Sacramento averages highs of 54 degrees and lows of 38 degrees in December and January. But too warm of overnight temperatures may have an impact on future fruit production; apples, pears, peaches and many other kinds of fruit need “chill hours” – time under 45 degrees – to successfully set a good crop.

Nothing grows without water and we may finally have a wet winter. The Almanac’s forecast for California predicts a much-needed end to our prolonged drought:

“Winter will be warmer and wetter than normal, with above-normal mountain snows. The coldest temperatures will occur in mid-November, mid-January, and early February. The stormiest periods will be in mid- to late December, early and late January, early and late February, and late March.”

Sacramento’s November was indeed cold, according to the National Weather Service, with the average daily temperature 3.4 degrees below normal. Some days were more than 8 degrees colder than average for those November dates. New record lows (34 degrees) were set on Nov. 21 and 30.

As for the storms, Sacramento has received 4.69 inches of rain so far this December; that’s double our average (2.17 inches) for this month’s first three weeks. And we may add to that December total soon; the National Weather Service sees “widespread precipitation possible” next week.

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Garden Checklist for week of June 22

Mornings this first week of summer will remain comfortably cool – just right for gardening!

* Water early in the morning to cut down on evaporation. Check soil moisture and deep water trees and shrubs. Keep new transplants and veggies evenly moist. Deep water tomatoes to encourage deep roots.

* From seed, plant corn, melons, pumpkins, radishes, 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.

* 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.

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