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Tue, Jan 16, 2024

Where do plant lovers hang out in Sacramento? Try the Shepard Center

Garden clubs meet at the McKinley Park site -- arts groups, too

Mon, Jan 15, 2024

Join Sacramento master gardeners Saturday for Open Garden

Get answers to garden questions while watching experts at work

Fri, Jan 12, 2024

McKinley Park rose garden needs volunteers

More pruning events set for Saturdays throughout January

Thu, Jan 11, 2024

More rain is coming soon -- how's the garden holding up?

Some trouble spots to look for before Saturday's storm

Wed, Jan 10, 2024

Learn how to tell good bugs from bad pests

Yolo County master gardeners offer free Zoom workshop on insect, disease identification

Tue, Jan 09, 2024

Happy National Houseplant Appreciation Day!

Time to show your indoor garden some love

Mon, Jan 08, 2024

Want roses? Grab your shovel; it’s time to dig in!

Rose society offers advice on transplanting -- and digging up – rose bushes

Sat, Jan 06, 2024

Dig In: Garden checklist for week of Jan. 7

Rain and frost fill Sacramento’s forecast

Fri, Jan 05, 2024

Learn proper pruning at free Green Acres workshops

Class with expert tips offered at all locations

Thu, Jan 04, 2024

Pruning basics covered in quick, informative local videos

Topics include salvias, blueberries, grasses and more

Wed, Jan 03, 2024

Learn about 'Gardening for the Future'

El Dorado master gardeners offer free workshop on biodiversity and sustainable gardening

Tue, Jan 02, 2024

Learn about seed saving and swapping

Placer County master gardeners host free in-person workshop

Mon, Jan 01, 2024

Will Sacramento have a normal rain year?

Holiday storms put averages back on track

Sat, Dec 30, 2023

Dig In: Garden checklist for week of Dec. 31

New Year starts like the old year ends — kind of soggy

Fri, Dec 29, 2023

Learn how to prune roses better, faster

Sierra Foothills Rose Society offers free workshop with expert hands-on advice

Thu, Dec 28, 2023

Some great plants you can grow to help birds

Food, flowers and shelter especially needed in winter

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Taste Winter! E-cookbook

Lemon coconut pancakes

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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.

Taste Spring! E-cookbook

Strawberries

Find our spring recipes here!

Taste Summer! E-cookbook

square-tomatoes-plate.jpg

Find our summer recipes here!

Taste Fall! E-cookbook

Muffins and pumpkin

Find our fall recipes here!