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Prepare for leaf avalanche; high winds on the way

Sacramento Valley can expect gusts up to 50 mph, says weather service

Sacramento Digs Gardening
BY Debbie Arrington PUBLISHED NOV 5, 2024

The leaves that look so beautiful on the trees may soon be all over the ground, thanks to expected winds tonight and Wednesday. Kathy Morrison

Hang onto your hat – and avoid standing under big trees. A whole lot of leaves – and maybe some limbs – are about to come down.

We’re in for some very gusty weather, which could have direct impact on our gardens and wildlands. During these windy and dry conditions, fire danger escalates, too.

According to the National Weather Service, a high wind advisory for the Sacramento Valley will be in effect from 10 p.m. Tuesday through Wednesday evening, Nov. 5 and 6. In Sacramento, we can expect a chilling north wind, blowing through the night at 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph. The wind will continue through the day Wednesday and well after sunset.

Be prepared for these gusty winds, says the weather service. “Impacts: Loose objects may blow around, difficult driving conditions, downed branches and weakened trees, power outages.”

Take down umbrellas. Row covers or hot caps on new transplants may need to be anchored or removed.

With the cold wind, most of those pretty autumn leaves likely will start falling in bushels. Be prepared for a foliage avalanche.

With the wind comes very low humidity. The weather service predicts daytime humidity in the Sacramento area will drop to 10 to 20%. That can suck the moisture right out of seedlings or new transplants (as well as the summer remainders). Keep irrigation on and transplants hydrated.

The lack of humidity coupled with high winds prompted a Red Flag Warning through Wednesday evening for most of Northern California. Beware of sparks; they could start a fast-moving blaze. That goes for suburban homes as well as places surrounded by wildland. Dried plants burn quickly.

Once the wind dies down, we’re in for very pleasant fall weather the remainder of the week and next weekend with afternoons in the high 60s and sunny skies. Weekend events won’t be blown away.

For more weather updates: https://www.weather.gov/sto/

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fall November autumn leaves trees high winds wind weather Sacramento gardening transplants hydration

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Garden checklist for week of May 10

Take it easy during that high heat – then get to work! Your garden is calling.

* Remember to irrigate your tender transplants. Seedlings need consistent moisture. Deep watering will help build strong roots and healthy plants. Water early in the morning for best results.

* Plant, plant, plant! It’s prime planting season in the Sacramento area. Time to set out those tomato transplants along with peppers and eggplants. Pinch off any flowers on new transplants to make them concentrate on establishing roots instead of setting premature fruit.

* Direct-seed melons, cucumbers, summer squash, corn, radishes, pumpkins and annual herbs such as basil.

* Harvest cabbage, lettuce, peas and green onions.

* In the flower garden, direct-seed sunflowers, cosmos, salvia, zinnias, marigolds, celosia and asters. (You also can transplant seedlings for many of the same flowers.)

* Plant dahlia tubers. Other perennials to set out include verbena, coreopsis, coneflower and astilbe.

* Transplant petunias, marigolds and perennial flowers such as astilbe, columbine, coneflowers, coreopsis, dahlias, rudbeckia and verbena.

* Keep an eye out for slugs, snails, earwigs and aphids that want to dine on tender new growth.

* Feed summer bloomers with a balanced fertilizer.

* For continued bloom, cut off spent flowers on roses as well as other flowering plants.

* Put your veggie garden on a regular diet. Set up a monthly feeding program, and keep track on your calendar. Make sure to water your garden before applying any fertilizer to prevent “burning” your plants.

* As spring-flowering shrubs finish blooming, give them a little pruning to shape them, removing old and dead wood. Lightly trim azaleas, fuchsias and marguerites for bushier plants.

* Don’t forget to weed! Those invaders are growing fast.

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