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Learn water-wise tips for hot July

Make the most of your irrigation; Green Acres offers free workshops

What month is this? These Easter lilies bloomed in July in Sacramento.  Like all lilies, they appreciate consistent irrigation.

What month is this? These Easter lilies bloomed in July in Sacramento. Like all lilies, they appreciate consistent irrigation. Debbie Arrington

July is Sacramento’s hottest month of the year – and when we use the most outdoor irrigation.

Are you getting the most out of your sprinklers or drip system?

Now is a good time to do a quick check-up of your irrigation system – if you haven’t already. Walk around your landscape while the system is running and take note of which heads are doing what – are they blocked by foliage, gushing geysers into the air or not working at all?

With drip systems, hunt for dry spots where emitters may be blocked. Plunge a moisture meter or 6-inch screwdriver into the soil; if it’s too dry, there may be an issue.

One easy fix that will save water: Upgrade to high-efficiency rotary sprinkler heads. These rotating nozzles put out streams of heavy droplets that allow for better coverage and less evaporation than traditional spray heads. They can be installed with a screwdriver. Rebates may be available; check www.bewatersmart.info.

Just make sure to change all the heads on an irrigation station. A mix of heads makes for uneven distribution – dry spots and wet spots – and an unhealthy landscape.

Want to learn more about irrigation? Get answers to your watering questions? Check out these free workshops Saturday at all locations of Green Acres Nursery & Supply.

At 10 a.m. July 8, every Green Acres will host “Irrigation 101: Water Efficiency,” an information-packed seminar that simplifies this essential topic. Green Acres irrigation experts will walk participants through the steps of retrofitting sprinklers and upgrading technology. They’ll also answer questions about specific circumstances. Green Acres stocks many of these irrigation components and staff will help participants pick out the right parts for their irrigation needs.

Green Acres nurseries are located in Sacramento, Auburn, Citrus Heights, Elk Grove, Folsom, Rocklin and Roseville.

For more details and directions: https://idiggreenacres.com/.

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Garden Checklist for week of Feb. 16

Take advantage of this nice weather. There’s plenty to do as your garden starts to switch into high gear for spring growth.

* This is the last chance to spray fruit trees before their buds open. Treat peach and nectarine trees with copper-based fungicide. Spray apricot trees at bud swell to prevent brown rot. Apply horticultural oil to control scale, mites and aphids on fruit trees.

* Check soil moisture before resuming irrigation. Most likely, your soil is still pretty damp.

* Feed spring-blooming shrubs and fall-planted perennials with slow-release fertilizer. Feed mature trees and shrubs after spring growth starts.

* Transplant or direct-seed several flowers, including snapdragon, candytuft, lilies, astilbe, larkspur, Shasta and painted daisies, stocks, bleeding heart and coral bells.

* In the vegetable garden, plant Jerusalem artichoke tubers, and strawberry and rhubarb roots.

* Transplant cabbage and its close cousins – broccoli, kale and cauliflower – as well as lettuce (both loose leaf and head).

* Indoors, start peppers, tomatoes and eggplant from seed.

* Plant artichokes, asparagus and horseradish from root divisions.

* Plant potatoes from tubers and onions from sets (small bulbs). The onions will sprout quickly and can be used as green onions in March.

* From seed, plant beets, chard, lettuce, mustard, peas, radishes and turnips.

* Annuals are showing up in nurseries, but wait until the weather warms up a bit before planting. Instead, set out flowering perennials such as columbine and delphinium.

* Plant summer-flowering bulbs including cannas, calla lilies and gladiolus.

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