Burbank High, Elk Grove Garden Club events Saturday
SacValley CNPS Nursery & Gardens hosts sale, needs used containers for future sales
Event features succulents, natives and water-wise perennials; members get in early
Capital City African Violet Society hosts annual event
NEW Chocolate glaze especially appropriate for a holiday dessert
April starts with a sunny break before more showers
Master rosarian shares tips with Farmer Fred on spring rose care basics, propagation
Gardens' best finery on display in fundraisers and free events
Stories on Stage Davis hosts special event with literary, gardening flair
El Dorado County master gardeners offer free workshop
Master gardeners to unveil water-wise showcase at Loomis Library
NEW Baked lemon-Dijon chicken thighs with herbs
Spring gets off to rainy start, keeps temperatures cool
Global initiative leads to local landscapes and ways to save
Elk Grove, Orangevale each host information events
El Dorado County master gardeners spotlight these flavorful plants from garden to gourmet
Plenty of sunshine and flowers welcome start of new season
Sacramento Valley Cymbidium Society hosts annual show and sale
NEW Celebrate St. Patrick's Day with this delicious side dish
Make the most of warm weather; tackle weeds and other spring chores.
Sacramento Digs Gardening to your inbox.
Food in My Back Yard Series
March 4: Potatoes from the garden
Feb. 25: Plant a fruit tree now -- for later
Feb. 18: How to squeeze more food into less space
Feb. 11: When to plant? Consider staggering your transplants
Feb. 4: Starting in seed starting
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Garden Checklist for week of March 9
Make the most of the sunny days before the rain arrives mid-week; 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.
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