Spring-like days finally arrive (but still too cold for happy tomatoes)
Don't forget to enjoy the early spring bloomers -- such as these summer snowflakes (Leucojum aestivum) -- before they fade in warmer weather. Trim spent flowers but not leaves of any spring bulbs. Kathy Morrison
The Easter Bunny is bringing us some sunshine. According to the National Weather Service, Sacramento can expect a sunny Easter Sunday – and Monday – with temperatures in the high 70s.
“The warming trend begins today, despite some cloud cover,” tweeted the NWS Sacramento office on Saturday morning. “Even warmer temperatures are forecast for Sunday and Monday when many locations will see their warmest day of the year (so far).”
The forecast calls for 78 degrees on Monday – 16 degrees warmer than Friday, which also saw 0.15 inches of rain. Normal for this week of April: 72 degrees.
Now for the real question: Is it warm enough to plant tomatoes? Yes – and no. Those afternoons in the 70s are mighty tempting, but the soil is still cold.
Not helping those early tomatoes, Sacramento will be right back down in the low 60s on Wednesday with a forecast high of 64, and overnight lows will continue to linger in the low 40s every night but Monday and Tuesday.
The good news: Many more warm days are coming soon, says the weather service. Next weekend’s forecast also calls for highs in the 70s. The later you wait this month, the happier your tomato transplants will be.
If you must plant tomatoes this week, give them some extra protection and warmth such as heat caps and mulch.
Elsewhere in the garden:
* April is the last chance to plant citrus trees such as dwarf orange, lemon and kumquat. These trees also look good in landscaping and provide fresh fruit in winter.
* Smell orange blossoms? Feed citrus trees with a low dose of balanced fertilizer during bloom to help set fruit. Keep an eye out for ants.
* Apply slow-release fertilizer to the lawn.
* Thoroughly clean debris from the bottom of outdoor ponds or fountains.
* Feed shrubs and trees with a slow-release fertilizer. Or mulch with a 1-inch layer of compost.
* Azaleas and camellias looking a little yellow? If leaves are turning yellow between the veins, give them a boost with chelated iron.
* Trim dead flowers but not leaves from spring-flowering bulbs such as daffodils and tulips. Those leaves gather energy to create next year’s flowers. Also, give the bulbs a fertilizer boost after bloom.
* Pinch chrysanthemums back to 12 inches for fall flowers. Cut old stems to the ground.
* From seed, plant beans, beets, cantaloupes, carrots, corn, cucumbers, melons, pumpkins, radishes and squash.
* Plant onion sets.
* In the flower garden, plant seeds for asters, cosmos, celosia, marigolds, salvia, sunflowers and zinnias.
* Transplant petunias, zinnias, geraniums and other summer bloomers.
* Plant summer-blooming perennials, gladiolus and dahlia tubers.
* Transplant lettuce and kale seedlings.
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Garden Checklist for week of Dec. 8
Make the most of dry weather while we have it this week. Rain is returning.
* Rake leaves away from storm drains and gutters. Recycle those leaves as mulch or add to compost.
* It’s not too late to plant something. Seed wildflowers and plant such spring bloomers as sweet pea, sweet alyssum and bachelor buttons.
* Trees and shrubs can be planted now, especially bare-root varieties such as fruit trees or rose bushes. This gives them plenty of time for root development before spring growth. They also benefit from winter rains.
* Plant bare-root berries, kiwifruit, grapes, artichokes, horseradish and rhubarb.
* Set out cool-weather annuals such as pansies and snapdragons.
* Lettuce, cabbage and broccoli also can be planted now.
* Brighten the holidays with winter bloomers such as poinsettias, amaryllis, calendulas, Iceland poppies, pansies and primroses.
* Keep poinsettias in a sunny, warm location; bring them inside at night or if there’s rain.
* Plant garlic and onions.
* Prune non-flowering trees and shrubs while they’re dormant.
* Clean and sharpen garden tools before storing for the winter.
* Mulch, water and cover tender plants to protect them during threat of frost. Succulent plants are at particular risk if temperatures drop below freezing. Make sure to remove coverings during the day.
* Rake and remove dead leaves and stems from dormant perennials.
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