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
Tips to help keep gardeners, gardens more comfortable in triple-digit weather
Bearded irises are a perfect addition to water-wise Sacramento gardens.
Recipe: Spinach-mushroom-pancetta frittata for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
Make most of mild weather before triple-digit heat returns Friday, opening day of the State Fair.
Food, fun and Kokedama orchid workshop part of July 29 special event.
Make the most of your irrigation; Green Acres offers free workshops.
Sacramento Digs Gardening to your inbox.
Sites We Like
Garden Checklist for week of Nov. 10
Make the most of gaps between raindrops this week and get stuff done:
* 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.
* Give your azaleas, gardenias and camellias a boost with chelated iron.
* For larger blooms, pinch off some camellia buds.
* 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.
* Pull faded annuals and vegetables.
* Prune dead or broken branches from trees.
* 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.