Enjoy a glimpse of spring before more rain arrives
How to tackle fungal outbreaks on roses without spraying
Placer County master gardeners present workshop Saturday
February has been very wet; warmer (and dry) weather is on its way
Registration is open for more neighborhood tree plantings in March and April; families welcome.
Sacramento Speakers Series supports scholarships for future farmers and more
Recipe: Bake them in ramekins for easy serving now or later
Rain will dampen gardening plans, keep soil wet
Feb. 24 event includes blossom show, tours and speaker Greg Gayton
Save these dates for great finds at great prices
Roses are more popular than ever, but what do they mean?
Wild Boar Farms breeder will be at Green Acres in Auburn and Sacramento
Volunteer birdwatchers of all ages can take part in four-day census
Recipe: Brussels sprouts-spinach slaw with dried cranberries
Super weather for late-winter gardening on tap
Trees got a good, deep soaking from recent 'atmospheric rivers'
Calendar is packed with gardening and related events
Recipient can make a birdhouse with a succulent roof or a living centerpiece
Placer County master gardeners offer free workshop
Sacramento master gardeners will be on hand to offer advice and tips
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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