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
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 March 16
Make the most of dry breaks between showers. Your garden is in high-growth mode.
* Pull weeds now! Don’t let them get started. Take a hoe and whack them as soon as they sprout.
* Prepare vegetable beds. Spade in compost and other amendments.
* Prune and fertilize spring-flowering shrubs after bloom.
* Feed camellias at the end of their bloom cycle. Pick up browned and fallen flowers to help corral blossom blight.
* Feed citrus trees, which are now in bloom and setting fruit. To prevent sunburn and borer problems on young trees, paint the exposed portion of the trunk with diluted white latex (water-based) interior paint. Dilute the paint with an equal amount of cold water before application.
* Feed roses with a balanced fertilizer (such as 10-10-10, the ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium available in that product).
* Prune and fertilize spring-flowering shrubs and trees after they bloom. Try using well-composted manure, spread 1-inch-thick under the tree (but avoid piling it up around the trunk). This serves as both fertilizer and mulch, retaining moisture while cutting down on weeds.
* Cut back and fertilize perennial herbs to encourage new growth.
* In the vegetable garden, transplant lettuce and cole family plants, such as cauliflower, broccoli, collards and kale.
* Seed chard and beets directly into the ground. (To speed germination, soak beet seeds overnight in room-temperature water before planting.)
* Before the mercury starts inching upward, this is your last chance to plant such annuals as pansies, violas and primroses.
* Plant summer bulbs, including gladiolus, tuberous begonias and callas. Also plant dahlia tubers.
* Shop for perennials. Many varieties are available in local nurseries and at plant events. They can be transplanted now while the weather remains relatively cool.
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