Dig In: Garden checklist for week of March 16

St. Patrick’s Day looks like it could be soggy, as Mother Nature gives us one more reminder: It’s still winter!

At least, it’s winter for a few more days; spring officially starts Thursday. According to the National Weather Service, on-again, off-again rain is in the NorCal forecast through Friday.

Two more storm systems are headed our way with the peaks hitting Sacramento overnight Sunday into Monday (and St. Patrick’s Day). Another system is expected to arrive Wednesday afternoon into evening.

In between, each day’s forecast calls for at least light showers and possible thunderstorms.

The greatest impact may come from strong winds on Sunday, says the weather service. Southerly winds of 25 to 35 mph have prompted a high wind warning through 11 p.m. Sunday, with gusts up to 65 mph possible in the Sacramento area. The weather service warns that winds will be strongest east of I-5.

Those gusts are strong enough to knock down branches – or topple a whole tree. Watch for warnings signs such as disturbed earth around the base or root zones. (And call an arborist!)

With all that cloud cover, temperatures will be on the cool side, with afternoons in the low 60s and overnight lows dipping into the 40s.

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. 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.