Shop for unique gifts at this destination nursery (and much more)
American River Ranch hosts Saturday walks, workshop, produce stand and gift shop
The Secret Garden hosts hands-on mosaic classes in December and January
Recipe: Zest and herb combination also works in muffins
December starts with damp days but good planting conditions
Sacramento's October-November rain total tracks very close to 2022.
Sacramento, Placer master gardeners stuff these guides with useful information
First revisions since 2012 reflect rising low temperatures; Sacramento stays in same zone
See beautiful decorations and help some good causes
Debbie joins Green Acres Garden Podcast to share how to use fall harvest
Recipe: Mandarin mulled cider gets sweetness from fresh citrus
Freeze warning remains in effect through Monday morning; take frost precautions
Overnight lows near freezing put poinsettias at risk
We benefit from the natural world -- and the community of gardeners
Last winter's moisture helped this holiday season's crop of firs and cedars
GoFundMe drive supports treatment for longtime nursery manager Taylor Lewis
Small Business Saturday and Holiday Open House coming soon
Recipe: Lime, cilantro and chilis flavor this easy dip
Clear and cool conditions expected after Saturday's soaking
Open house Nov. 25 kicks off holiday shopping season
Sacramento Digs Gardening to your inbox.
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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.