Dig In: Garden checklist for week of Feb. 2

If this week is any indication, February may make up for what was missing from January – rain.

Sacramento’s weather gave new meaning to “dry January.” According to the National Weather Service, Sacramento totaled only 0.45 inches for the month – most of it on the last day. Normal for January in Sacramento: 3.66 inches. That’s a huge deficit for what’s supposed to be among our rainiest months.

February is usually pretty damp, too, averaging 3.59 inches. Sacramento can expect that much precipitation in the month’s first five days, says the weather service. In fact, some areas are expected to receive 4 to 6 inches total by Friday.

This storm system packs a one-two punch with Sacramento’s heaviest rain landing in Monday night and Tuesday, says the weather service. These storms are expected to deliver heavy snow to the Sierra, good news for the snowpack.

Temperatures will be on the cold side, but not that far off average for February in Sacramento. Highs this week will hover in the mid 50s with overnight lows staying above 40 degrees, says the weather service. Average for this month: Highs of 60 degrees and lows of 42.

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.