After atmospheric river, we'll have some chilly nights
Keep an eye on or cover new transplants as temperatures drop into the 30s overnight the next few days. Bok choy like this one generally can handle light frost. Kathy Morrison
Put away the umbrella and dig out the frost cloths; we’re about to have another change in the weather.
Our pre-Thanksgiving atmospheric river gave Sacramento a nice, deep soaking. It also caught us up with our seasonal rainfall totals, getting our current Water Year off to a healthy start.
Could this be the third consecutive winter with “normal” or above-average precipitation? So far, so wet.
According to the National Weather Service, downtown Sacramento received 2.72 inches Wednesday through Monday, Nov. 20-25. That includes 1.96 inches on Friday, Nov. 22.
That brings November’s total to 3.38 inches – more than 2 inches above average for those 25 days. It also more than makes up for a mostly dry October, which starts our Water Year. So far, Sacramento rain has measured 3.63 inches since Oct. 1; normal for that period is 2.11 inches.
That deep soaking took care of our gardens’ immediate water needs. Turn off the sprinklers or other irrigation for at least a week, if not more. Check soil moisture before resuming watering.
After some scattered showers on Tuesday, Sacramento looks dry and clear through the rest of this month (which ends on Saturday). The next challenge: Frost.
The weather service says to expect patchy frost in the early morning hours on Thanksgiving Thursday as well as Friday and Saturday. Overnight lows will flirt with freezing; Sacramento will dip down to at least 35 degrees all three nights.
Damp soil will keep most sensitive plants just warm enough to prevent frost damage. But new transplants and tropicals will be susceptible. Take frost precautions. Cover tender plants in the late afternoon (before the sun goes down) and remember to remove covers in the morning.
With sunny skies, that chill will dissipate quickly during the day – which makes this coming long weekend good for planting and other garden jobs.
For more weather updates: https://www.weather.gov/sto/
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Garden Checklist for week of Dec. 8
Make the most of dry weather while we have it this week. Rain is returning.
* Rake leaves away from storm drains and gutters. Recycle those leaves as mulch or add to compost.
* It’s not too late to plant something. Seed wildflowers and plant such spring bloomers as sweet pea, sweet alyssum and bachelor buttons.
* Trees and shrubs can be planted now, especially bare-root varieties such as fruit trees or rose bushes. This gives them plenty of time for root development before spring growth. They also benefit from winter rains.
* Plant bare-root berries, kiwifruit, grapes, artichokes, horseradish and rhubarb.
* Set out cool-weather annuals such as pansies and snapdragons.
* Lettuce, cabbage and broccoli also can be planted now.
* Brighten the holidays with winter bloomers such as poinsettias, amaryllis, calendulas, Iceland poppies, pansies and primroses.
* Keep poinsettias in a sunny, warm location; bring them inside at night or if there’s rain.
* Plant garlic and onions.
* Prune non-flowering trees and shrubs while they’re dormant.
* Clean and sharpen garden tools before storing for the winter.
* Mulch, water and cover tender plants to protect them during threat of frost. Succulent plants are at particular risk if temperatures drop below freezing. Make sure to remove coverings during the day.
* Rake and remove dead leaves and stems from dormant perennials.
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