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Sun, Jun 02, 2024

Bayou country, spring vegetables inspire shrimp pot pie

New! Shrimp pot pie with fresh peas, carrots and spring onions

Sat, Jun 01, 2024

Dig In: Garden checklist for week of June 2

June starts with blast of summer heat (and warm nights)

Fri, May 31, 2024

Time for cake! SDG hits another milestone

Daily gardening blog reaches its sixth anniversary -- thanks to our readers!

Thu, May 30, 2024

Learn hydroponic growing techniques in Elk Grove workshop

Two-hour class Saturday at Community Garden and Learning Center

Wed, May 29, 2024

All stems, no blooms on roses? It likely was the weather

'Blind shoots' are the result of spring temperature fluctuations

Tue, May 28, 2024

New Loomis Demonstration Garden hosts first Spring Open House

Placer County master gardeners welcome public to experience their growing resource, now in spring bloom

Mon, May 27, 2024

Murer House hosts annual Lavender Day

Learn about all things lavender including how to make it thrive

Sun, May 26, 2024

Double up on cherries in these tender muffins

New! Ricotta the secret ingredient to these baked treats

Sat, May 25, 2024

Dig In: Garden checklist for week of May 26

Plant now as month of May ends with warming trend .

Fri, May 24, 2024

Summer is upon us -- do you have your tool kit?

Be prepared for quick fixes and managing garden info

Wed, May 22, 2024

Learn about summer fruit tree care, pruning

Yolo County master gardeners offer free workshop via Zoom.

Tue, May 21, 2024

Learn about Sierra foothill gardening at Open Garden Days

El Dorado County master gardeners offer advice for growing vegetables, fruit, flowers and more at higher elevations.

Mon, May 20, 2024

The Secret Garden hosts annual Succulent Extravaganza

Memorial Day Weekend event features thousands of plants on sale at Elk Grove nursery

Sun, May 19, 2024

Savory cherry sauce perfect for grilling season

New! Savory cherry sauce with sweet onions goes great with pork, chicken

Sat, May 18, 2024

Dig In: Garden checklist for week of May 19

Get ready for warm, sunny and breezy days ahead

Fri, May 17, 2024

Beat the heat: How mulch can save your garden

Layer of wood chips, straw or leaves helps plants cope with summer temperatures

Thu, May 16, 2024

Walk, stroll, ramble among the sights of a native plant garden

Free event Sunday includes plant sale, botanist's visit

Wed, May 15, 2024

Find cool garden stuff during Community Yard Sale at Shepard Center

Local clubs offer lots of garden gear plus much more at huge yard sale

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Taste Winter! E-cookbook

Lemon coconut pancakes

Find our winter recipes here!

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Garden Checklist for week of March 9

Make the most of the sunny days before the rain arrives mid-week; your garden needs some TLC.

* Pull weeds now! Don’t let them get started. Take a hoe and whack them as soon as they sprout.

* Start preparing 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 starting to bloom. 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; organic fertilizers tend to have lower numbers, such as 4-4-4).

* Prune and fertilize spring-flowering shrubs and trees after they bloom. Try using well-composted manure, spread 1-inch thick under the tree. 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.

* 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.

* Soil pH is important for blueberries to produce a crop. Now is the time to test the soil around the plants using a soil test or soil meter. The soil should be in the 4.5 to 5.5 range; most Sacramento soil is in the 7 range. The sulfur package will list the amount to apply, depending on what the test shows.

Taste Spring! E-cookbook

Strawberries

Find our spring recipes here!

Taste Summer! E-cookbook

square-tomatoes-plate.jpg

Find our summer recipes here!

Taste Fall! E-cookbook

Muffins and pumpkin

Find our fall recipes here!