Dig In: Garden checklist for week of March 9

We’re on the cusp of change on several fronts.

First, remember to reset your clocks and timers; Daylight Saving Time starts Sunday. We all lose an hour as we “spring forward.” (On the positive side, there’s a lot more early evening daylight before dinnertime.)

Spring is definitely in the air, with pollen counts soaring. Although we still have two weeks until the start of the new season, many flowering trees, shrubs, grasses and other plants are already in full bloom. It may not be full-out spring but it’s definitely allergy season.

As for winter, it’s not over yet. We’ll get a big reminder with an atmospheric river headed to Northern California midweek.

According to the National Weather Service, expect strong winds on Tuesday afternoon, then the start of rain Tuesday night. Wednesday will be stormy with moderate to heavy rain. Sacramento could see a solid inch of rain on Wednesday alone, predicts the weather service.

Before the storm rolls in, Sacramento will enjoy a few more days of spring-like weather with highs in the upper 60s. Don’t let that sunshine fool you into planting summer veggies; nights will still be chilly with overnight lows dipping down below 40 degrees.

Make the most of this break before the rain; 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.