Dig In: Garden checklist for week of June 22

Don’t mow the lawn. That’s the advice from the National Weather Service this first weekend of summer as drying winds suck the moisture out of grasses – and dramatically increase fire danger.

In fact, the Sacramento Valley is under a “Red Flag Warning,” signaling increased fire danger, through at least Sunday morning.

North winds of 10 to 20 mph with gusts of 30 to 40 mph combined with extremely low humidity (just 15%) make for extreme fire danger, says the weather service. Fuel – in the form of dried grasses – is in abundance. All it takes is a spark to ignite a wildfire.

While these winds are gusting, avoid lawn mowers, weed whackers or other power tools that could hit a rock and produce sparks. Likewise, don’t park motorized vehicles on dried grass. (Starting an engine can start a fire.) Definitely skip any outside burning.

These conditions make for “easier fire starts and potential for rapid spread of fire,” warns the weather service. “Fire safety precautions should be exercised to prevent fires. Always have an emergency plan for if a fire starts near you.”

These windy conditions will keep temperatures relatively mild. The forecast for Sacramento highs on Saturday and Sunday are in the low 80s; average high for this week is 86 degrees. But once the winds subside, temperatures will rise. According to the weather service, highs Monday through Friday will likely be in the low 90s – typical for early summer in Sacramento.

Overnight lows will be in the high 50s – also normal for late June. That means mornings will remain comfortably cool – just right for gardening!

* Water early in the morning to cut down on evaporation. Check soil moisture and deep water trees and shrubs. Keep new transplants and veggies evenly moist. Deep-water tomatoes to encourage deep roots.

* From seed, plant corn, melons, pumpkins, radishes, squash and sunflowers.

* Plant basil to go with your tomatoes.

* Transplant summer annuals such as petunias, marigolds and zinnias. It’s also a good time to transplant perennial flowers including astilbe, columbine, coneflowers, coreopsis, dahlias, rudbeckia, salvia and verbena.

* Tie up vines and stake tall plants such as gladiolus and lilies. That gives their heavy flowers some support.

* Dig and divide crowded bulbs after the tops have died down.

* Feed summer flowers with a slow-release fertilizer.

* Mulch, mulch, mulch! This “blanket” keeps moisture in the soil longer and helps your plants cope during hot weather.

* Avoid pot “hot feet.” Place a 1-inch-thick board under container plants sitting on pavement. This little cushion helps insulate them from radiated heat.

* Thin grapes on the vine for bigger, better clusters later this summer.

* Cut back fruit-bearing canes on berries.

* Feed camellias, azaleas and other acid-loving plants. Mulch to conserve moisture and reduce heat stress.

* Cut back Shasta daisies after flowering to encourage a second bloom in the fall.

* Trim off dead flowers from rose bushes to keep them blooming through the summer. Roses also benefit from deep watering and feeding now. A top dressing of aged compost will keep them happy. It feeds as well as keeps roots moist.

* Pinch back chrysanthemums for bushier plants with many more flowers in September.