Stories on Stage Davis hosts special event with literary, gardening flair
El Dorado County master gardeners offer free workshop
Master gardeners to unveil water-wise showcase at Loomis Library
NEW Baked lemon-Dijon chicken thighs with herbs
Spring gets off to rainy start, keeps temperatures cool
Global initiative leads to local landscapes and ways to save
Elk Grove, Orangevale each host information events
El Dorado County master gardeners spotlight these flavorful plants from garden to gourmet
Plenty of sunshine and flowers welcome start of new season
Sacramento Valley Cymbidium Society hosts annual show and sale
NEW Celebrate St. Patrick's Day with this delicious side dish
Make the most of warm weather; tackle weeds and other spring chores.
Wait until April before putting tender summer transplants in the ground
Patricia Carpenter opens her property for the Early Spring Ramble
Find three days of inspiration, vendors and deals
Preparing for spring and summer, Sacramento County master gardeners host free event
Clubs to offer their expertise, plants and wares; volunteers needed for McKinley Park beautification event
Recipe: Mom’s chili and beans with grated cheese and onions
Spring is almost here (but first, some more rain)
Find unusual plants, garden wares while supporting local vendors and clubs
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.