Sacramento and Placer experts available to answer questions
Whatever the weather, the gate will be open 9 a.m. to noon this Saturday at the Fair Oaks Horticulture Center for the public to stroll the gardens, view demonstrations and ask gardening questions. Kathy Morrison
All gardening is local and, while many things remain consistent, there can be major differences from one county to the next.
On Saturday, Feb. 8, get the best local advice possible while also benefiting from the most recent UC research at two Open Gardens hosted by master gardeners, rain or shine. At both events, admission is free and the public – regardless of where they live or garden – is invited.
From 9 a.m. to noon, the Sacramento County master gardeners will host their Open Garden at the Fair Oaks Horticulture Center, 11549 Fair Oaks Blvd., Fair Oaks.
“Open gardens are informal FREE events where you roam the gardens, watch what we are doing, see what we are growing and ask questions,” say the Sacramento master gardeners. “Bring samples of your problem plants, mystery pests and questions to the ‘Ask the Master Gardeners’ information table. Get one-on-one advice based on the most recent research-based sustainable practices.
“February is a great opportunity to observe and learn winter maintenance in the garden.” they add. “Join our demo on planting potatoes and Jerusalem artichokes/sunchokes from tubers. Learn how to prune blueberries, and watch a demonstration on how to prune ornamental grasses. Gather ideas for your spring planting projects.”
Also at the event, the Sacramento County Master Gardeners’ 2025 Gardening Guide and Calendar will be available for purchase; it’s $12 including sales tax.
Details and directions: https://sacmg.ucanr.edu/
Also on Saturday morning, the Placer County master gardeners will host their monthly Open Garden at their new Loomis Demonstration Garden at the Loomis Library, 6050 Library Drive, Loomis. The master gardeners will be on hand from 10 a.m. to noon.
The Loomis Demonstration Garden is a living classroom for the Placer County community that emphasizes sustainable gardening, integrated pest management and backyard food production.
A free 1-hour workshop on fruit tree selection and dormant planting starts at 10:30 a.m. inside the library.
Details and directions: https://pcmg.ucanr.edu/
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Food in My Back Yard Series
SUMMER
July 15: Does this plant need water?
July 8: Tear out that sad plant or baby it? Midsummer decisions
July 1: How to grow summer salad greens
June 24: Weird stuff that's perfectly normal
SPRING
June 17: Help pollinators help your garden
June 10: Battling early-season tomato pests
June 3: Make your own compost
May 27: Where are the bees when you need them?
May 20: How to help tomatoes thrive on hot days
May 13: Your plants can tell you more than any calendar can
May 6: Maintain soil moisture with mulch for garden success
April 29: What's (already) wrong with my tomato plants?
April 22: Should you stock up on fertilizer? (Yes!)
April 15: Grow culinary herbs in containers
April 8: When to plant summer vegetables
April 1: Don't be fooled by these garden myths
March 25: Fertilizer tips: How to 'feed' your vegetables for healthy growth
WINTER
March 18: Time to give vegetable seedlings some more space
March 11: Ways to win the fight against weeds
March 4: Potatoes from the garden
Feb. 25: Plant a fruit tree now -- for later
Feb. 18: How to squeeze more food into less space
Feb. 11: When to plant? Consider staggering your transplants
Feb. 4: Starting in seed starting
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Garden checklist for week of July 13
Put off big chores and planting until later in the week when the weather is cooler. In the meantime, remember to stay hydrated – advice for both you and your garden.
* Keep your vegetable garden watered, mulched and weeded. Water before 8 a.m. to reduce the chance of fungal infection and to conserve moisture.
* Water, then fertilize vegetables and blooming annuals, perennials and shrubs to give them a boost. Feeding flowering plants every other week will extend their bloom.
* Give vegetable plants bone meal or other fertilizers high in phosphate to stimulate more blooms and fruiting.
* Add some summer color. Plant petunias, snapdragons, zinnias and marigolds.
* From seed, plant corn, pumpkins, radishes, winter squash and sunflowers. Plant Halloween pumpkins now.
* Pinch back chrysanthemums for bushy plants and more flowers in September.
* Remove spent flowers from roses, daylilies and other bloomers as they finish flowering.
* Pinch off blooms from basil so the plant will grow more leaves.
* Cut back lavender after flowering to promote a second bloom.
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