Frosty and (maybe) damp forecast reminds Sacramento gardeners it’s still winter
This Sun Flare rose, like the sun itself, is still out in force this month. But it needs to be pruned and the leaves stripped so it will be ready for new growth in spring. Kathy Morrison
Keep those frost cloths handy; we’re in for some more chilly nights. Our blooming plants may be signaling a false spring (thanks to some unseasonably warm days), but we still have almost two months of winter.
After possible rain this weekend, frost warnings return for the Sacramento area Monday and will continue every night through Friday.
According to the National Weather Service, Sacramento’s overnight temperatures will repeatedly dip down into the mid to low 30s in the wee hours, but may not get under 32 degrees. Sacramento has a 50-50 chance of reaching freezing temperatures before dawn on Tuesday and Wednesday, says the forecast.
Take preparations before sunset the night before those frosty hours hit. That includes keeping plants hydrated; that can raise their soil temperature by a few precious degrees. (The exception is succulents; they handle frost better on the dry side – tucked underneath a frost cloth.)
Remember to remove frost cloths in the morning as temperatures warm; plants can overheat during the day.
Expect to see plenty of winter sunshine this week with highs in the upper 50s; that’s normal for the last week in January in Sacramento. After a very dry January, we may see a tiny bit of rain tonight (Jan. 25), but less than 0.05 of an inch is forecast, says the weather service. There’s also a slight chance of rain Thursday night.
Otherwise, take advantage of opportunities to get garden chores done:
* Prune, prune, prune. Now is the time to cut back most deciduous trees and shrubs. The exceptions are spring-flowering shrubs such as lilacs.
* Now is the time to prune fruit trees. Clean up leaves and debris around the trees to prevent the spread of disease. Exceptions: Cherry and apricot trees, which should wait until summer.
* Prune roses, even if they’re still trying to bloom. Strip off any remaining leaves, so the bush will be able to put out new growth in early spring.
* Clean up leaves and debris around your newly pruned roses and shrubs. Put down fresh mulch or bark to keep roots cozy.
* After possible rain this weekend, apply horticultural oil to fruit trees to control scale, mites and aphids. Oils need 24 hours of dry weather after application to be effective.
* This is also the time to spray a copper-based oil to peach and nectarine trees to fight leaf curl. Best done when no wet or windy weather occurs in the 24 hours before and after any spraying is done.
* When forced bulbs sprout, move them to a cool, bright window. Give them a quarter turn each day so the stems will grow straight.
* Divide daylilies, Shasta daisies and other perennials.
* Cut back and divide chrysanthemums.
* Plant bare-root roses, trees and shrubs.
* Transplant pansies, violas, calendulas, English daisies, snapdragons and fairy primroses.
* In the vegetable garden, plant fava beans, head lettuce, mustard, onion sets, radicchio and radishes.
* Plant bare-root asparagus and root divisions of rhubarb.
* In the bulb department, plant callas, anemones, ranunculus and gladiolus for bloom from late spring into summer.
* Plant blooming azaleas, camellias and rhododendrons. If you’re shopping for these beautiful landscape plants, you can now find them in full flower at local nurseries.
* Browse through seed catalogs and start making plans for spring and summer. Start pepper and tomato seeds, especially those that require 90 or more days to maturity.
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Garden Checklist for week of Feb. 2
During this stormy week, let the rain soak in while making plans for all the things you’re going to plant soon:
* During rainy weather, turn off the sprinklers. After a good soaking from winter storms, lawns can go at least a week without sprinklers, according to irrigation experts. For an average California home, that week off from watering can save 800 gallons.
* February serves as a wake-up call to gardeners. This month, you can transplant or direct-seed several flowers, including snapdragon, candytuft, lilies, astilbe, larkspur, Shasta and painted daisies, stocks, bleeding heart and coral bells.
* In the vegetable garden, plant Jerusalem artichoke tubers, and strawberry and rhubarb roots.
* Transplant cabbage and its close cousins – broccoli, kale and Brussels sprouts – as well as lettuce (both loose leaf and head).
* Indoors, start peppers, tomatoes and eggplant from seed.
* Plant artichokes, asparagus and horseradish from root divisions.
* Plant potatoes from tubers and onions from sets (small bulbs). The onions will sprout quickly and can be used as green onions in March.
* From seed, plant beets, chard, lettuce, mustard, peas, radishes and turnips.
* Annuals are showing up in nurseries, but wait until the weather warms up a bit before planting. Instead, set out flowering perennials such as columbine and delphinium.
* Plant summer-flowering bulbs including cannas, calla lilies and gladiolus.
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