Coolish June weather continues but watch out for threat of thunderstorms
The squash is forming! But those babies won't grow unless pollinated. If bees aren't finding your zucchini flowers, try transferring pollen from the large flowers to the ones with mini squashes at the base. Use a small soft brush.
Kathy Morrison
“When thunder roars, go indoors!” That’s the warning from the National Weather Service as unsettled weather conditions – including possible thunderstorms – continue this week.
According to the forecast, thunderstorms are possible this weekend in the Sierra and foothills, and maybe even the valley. Lightning can strike from up to 10 miles away, adds the weather service. Among the activities people who were recently struck by lightning were doing when they were hit: Gardening!
So, wait until storm clouds pass before you swing into action outdoors this week.
Meanwhile, our coolish June continues – at least a few more days. So far, only two days this month have been above Sacramento’s average June high temperature of 87 degrees. This week starts the same, dipping down to 77 on Monday under mostly cloudy skies.
By next weekend, we’ll see the mercury creep up to more normal summer-like conditions but not too hot. The expected high for Father’s Day (June 18): 89 degrees.
Make the most of these temperate conditions. (Just make sure to go inside if you hear thunder!)
* From seed, plant corn, pumpkins, radishes, melons, 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 summer weather.
* Thin grapes on the vine for bigger, better clusters later this summer.
* Cut back fruit-bearing canes on berries.
* Deep-water tomatoes, then feed with a balanced fertilizer. Bone meal can spur the bloom cycle and help set fruit.
* Generally, tomatoes need deep watering two to three times a week, but don't let them dry out completely. That can encourage blossom-end rot
* 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.
* Pinch back chrysanthemums for bushier plants with many more flowers in September.
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For week of Oct. 1:
Make the most of this cooler weather. Get to work on your fall garden:
* October is the best month to plant trees, shrubs and perennials. Plants become established – sending down deep, strong roots – faster in warm soil.
* Divide and replant perennials. Add a little well-aged compost and bone meal to the planting hole, but hold off on other fertilizers until spring. Keep the transplants well-watered (but not wet) for the first month as they become settled.
* Now is the time to plant seeds for many flowers directly into the garden, including cornflower, nasturtium, nigella, poppy, portulaca, sweet pea and stock.
* Plant seeds for radishes, bok choy, mustard, spinach and peas.
* Plant garlic and onions.
* Set out cool-weather bedding plants, including calendula, pansy, snapdragon, primrose and viola.
* Reseed and feed the lawn. Work on bare spots.
* Dig up corms and tubers of gladioli, dahlias and tuberous begonias after the foliage dies. Clean and store in a cool, dry place.
* Treat azaleas, gardenias and camellias with chelated iron if leaves are yellowing between the veins.
* Clean up the summer vegetable garden and compost disease-free foliage.
* Harvest pumpkins and winter squash.
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