Dig In: Garden checklist for week of Feb. 15

Mother Nature gave Sacramento a Valentine’s Day gift – dry weather.

That followed our mid-week storm that delivered .22 inches to Sacramento – just a shade under the National Weather Service’s prediction of a quarter inch.

Although Saturday (Feb. 14) originally was expected to be soggy, that new storm system will now arrive Sunday, says the weather service. And it’s supposed to be another atmospheric river with rain spread over several days.

According to the weather service, rain is “likely” by 10 a.m. Sunday and “definite” by 4 p.m. Judging by Saturday’s outlook, the rainiest days will be Monday and Tuesday with “definite rain and thunderstorms,” says the weather service, but more rain will linger throughout the week. By Friday, Sacramento's total could be more than 2.5 inches.

That’s actually normal for February. Usually Sacramento’s rainiest month, February averages 3.6 inches.

Originating in Alaska, this storm will feel cold, too; temperatures will linger in the 40s day and night.

That’s significantly cooler than early February highs, when Sacramento hit a record 70 degrees on Feb. 6 and 8.

That taste of warmer weather brought out lots of extra early spring blooms, especially daffodils and the first flowering fruit trees. (We’re looking at you, Bradford pears! Or should I say, we’re smelling you!)

What will this rain do to those flowers? Pick the daffodils for a Valentine’s Day bouquet.

Then, show your garden some love before the storm arrives.

* Make sure new transplants and seedlings stay irrigated. Check plants under eaves and trees where rain doesn’t reach.

* Start your spring (and summer) garden. 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).

* 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. (Germination hint: Soak the beet seeds before planting.)

* 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.

* Feed spring-blooming shrubs and fall-planted perennials with slow-release fertilizer. Feed 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.