Get advice from master gardeners; plant sales coming soon
The All-Stars area at the Sherwood Demonstration Garden showcases plants designated Arboretum All-Stars by the UC Davis Arboretum -- plants that grow well in our region. Photo courtesy El Dorado County master gardeners
On Friday and Saturday mornings, April 7 and 8, the El Dorado County master gardeners will host Open Garden Days at Sherwood.
“As Master Gardeners, we are committed to educating the general public on sustainable horticulture and pest management practices based on traditional, current, and evolving research,” say the organizers.
“It is our goal that the Sherwood Demonstration Garden will provide the public with a hands-on, interactive experience about research-based, sustainable gardening practices specific to the west slope of El Dorado County, appropriate for all ages and cultures, and reflective of a variety of environments and gardening experiences.”
What will visitors see at Sherwood? “There are 16 individual demonstrations gardens ranging from the Shade Garden to the Rock Garden and everything in between!” say the master gardeners.
During these two mornings, see the master gardeners as they tend their specialties at Sherwood. It’s a great opportunity to ask questions, get advice and learn new skills.
Open Garden Days are 9 a.m. to noon. Admission is free.
Can’t make it this week? The El Dorado County master gardeners will host Open Garden Days every Friday and Saturday in April (as long as the weather stays fine).
On April 15 and 29, enjoy something extra at these events: Spring plant sales! The April 15 sale will feature plants for edible gardening – tomatoes, vegetables, fruit trees, herbs and more. (See the edibles list on the link below. The tomato variety list is two pages long!)
The April 29 sale will focus on ornamentals such as trees, shrubs, grasses, succulents, native and perennial plants.
Sherwood Demonstration Garden is located at 6699 Campus Drive, Placerville.
Details and directions: https://mgeldorado.ucanr.edu/
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For week of March 24:
In between cloud bursts, try to catch up with early spring chores.
* Attack weeds now! Get them before they flower and go to seed. Take a hoe and whack them as soon as they sprout. Aim for 1 inch below the soil line.
* 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 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. This serves as both fertilizer and mulch, retaining moisture while cutting down on weeds.
* Cut back and fertilize perennial herbs to encourage new growth.
* Seed and renovate the lawn (if you still have one). Feed cool-season grasses such as bent, blue, rye and fescue with a slow-release fertilizer. Check the irrigation system and perform maintenance. Make sure sprinkler heads are turned toward the lawn, not the sidewalk.
* In the vegetable garden, transplant lettuce and cole family plants, such as cabbage, broccoli, collards and kale.
* Seed chard and beets directly into the ground.
* 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.