Weather roller-coaster continues; triple-digit temperatures return this weekend
Recipe: Chunky or smooth, it's the fresh flavor of summer
Last days of July seem normal before 'cool' start to August
Possible varieties matched up with mislabeled jalapeños and purple bells; listen to podcast with Farmer Fred
Registration required for free event Aug. 6
Learn how to make your own 'garden gold'
Cycle and soak method is the best way to irrigate lawns in summer, especially in clay soil
Start seeds for fall, winter favorites for transplanting after Labor Day
Recipe: Cocktail features just-squeezed tomato juice
After record heat, some cool relief is on its way
Several vegetables and flowers can be planted in late July (just remember to water)
Plant talks, vendors, food and fun during annual gardening celebration
Cool spring challenged seedling growth, no matter the pepper variety
Easy irrigation method: Use a bucket with a hole in it
Stay hydrated and give your plants a morning shower
Recipe: Peaches and cookies chill in a cool treat
Intense heat will challenge midsummer garden
Sign up now for Green Acres workshops at all locations
Free UC webinar on 'Natural Enemies & Beneficial Bugs'
Emphasis will be on food with return of festival; visit master gardeners at The Farm
Sacramento Digs Gardening to your inbox.
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Garden Checklist for week of Sept. 15
Make the most of the cool break this week – and get things done. Your garden needs you!
* Now is the time to plant for fall. The warm soil will get cool-season veggies off to a fast start.
* Keep harvesting tomatoes, peppers, squash, melons and eggplant.
* Compost annuals and vegetable crops that have finished producing.
* Cultivate and add compost to the soil to replenish its nutrients for fall and winter vegetables and flowers.
* Fertilize deciduous fruit trees.
* Plant onions, lettuce, peas, radishes, turnips, beets, carrots, bok choy, spinach and potatoes directly into the vegetable beds.
* Transplant cabbage, broccoli, kale, Brussels sprouts and cauliflower as well as lettuce seedlings.
* Sow seeds of California poppies, clarkia and African daisies.
* Transplant cool-weather annuals such as pansies, violas, fairy primroses, calendulas, stocks and snapdragons.
* Divide and replant bulbs, rhizomes and perennials.
* Dig up and divide daylilies as they complete their bloom cycle.
* Divide and transplant peonies that have become overcrowded. Replant with "eyes" about an inch below the soil surface.
* Late September is ideal for sowing a new lawn or re-seeding bare spots.