Dig In: Garden checklist for week of Dec. 1

If you liked our recent weather, you’re in luck. According to the National Weather Service, Sacramento’s weather pattern is stuck in a loop. From Nov. 30 through Dec. 6, Sacramento will see its “forecast on repeat,” says the weather service, with highs right around 60 degrees and overnight lows dipping down to 40 (or a little lower). Expect dry weather with light to breezy winds and potential patchy morning fog.

That forecast is actually on the warm side for our Decembers, which average highs of 54 and lows of 38. December also is usually (hopefully) rainy, averaging 3.25 inches.

Take advantage of these sunny dry days and get to work!

* 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.

* Brighten the holidays with winter bloomers such as poinsettias, amaryllis, calendulas, Iceland poppies, pansies and primroses.

* Keep poinsettias in a sunny, warm location. Water thoroughly. After the holidays, feed your plants monthly so they’ll bloom again next December.

* Last call for planting spring bulbs such as 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.

* If you have a tree, shrub or hardy perennial to transplant, do it now. This gives them plenty of time for root development before spring growth. They also benefit from 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.

* Prune non-flowering trees and shrubs while they're dormant.

* Clean and sharpen garden tools before storing for the winter.

* Rake and remove dead leaves and stems from dormant perennials.

* Just because it rained doesn’t mean every plant got watered. Give a drink to plants that the rain didn’t reach, such as under eaves or under evergreen trees. Also, well-watered plants hold up better to frost than thirsty plants.

* Bare-root season begins soon. Plant bare-root berries, kiwifruit, grapes, artichokes, horseradish and rhubarb. Beware of soggy soil. It can rot bare-root plants.