Dig In: Garden checklist for week of Feb. 1

After a winter filled with not-quite-normal weather, February starts off pretty average, at least for Sacramento.

According to the National Weather Service, Sacramento can expect this forecast on repeat: Some morning fog followed by afternoon sun and chilly temperatures overnight. As of Saturday (Jan. 31), the weather service predicts a high of 61 degrees for every day Sunday through Friday. Average high temperature for the first week of February in Sacramento: 60 degrees.

Likewise, overnight lows will be very normal, too, says the weather service. Expect temperatures to dip down to the low 40s each night, but no frost is in sight. Historically, the average low for this week: 42 degrees.

Morning fog will keep top soil relatively moist, but no real rain is in the immediate forecast. On the rain gauge, January will end up below average, totaling 2.4 inches in Sacramento. Average for January: 3.54 inches.

But no worries (yet); December was a very wet month – and February averages 3.59 inches. In the meantime, keep new transplants and seedlings irrigated.

Take advantage of this “normal” break in the weather and get to work!

* February serves as a wake-up call to gardeners. This month, you can 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 Brussels sprouts – as well as lettuce (both loose-leaf and head varieties).

* 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. (Hint: Soak the beet seeds first.)

* 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.

* This is the last chance to spray fruit trees before they bloom. 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 soon after a rain. But remember: Oils need at least 24 hours to dry to be effective. Don’t spray during foggy weather or when rain is forecast.

* Give spring-blooming shrubs and fall-planted perennials some slow-release fertilizer. Fertilize mature trees and shrubs after spring growth starts.

* Remove aphids from blooming bulbs with a strong spray of water or insecticidal soap.

* Fertilize strawberries and asparagus.