It's time to start pruning; how to cue bushes to take a winter nap
Roseville class covers fruit tree care from planting to harvest
City of Sacramento, county offer options to turn trees into mulch
Merry Christmas frittata with spinach and red pepper
Storms take a break over Christmas weekend, but keep umbrella close
Berries from this parasitic plant (and popular holiday decoration) feed hungry songbirds in winter
The gardening year gets off to a fast start
Watch out for leaning trees and cracked soil
City of Sacramento plans several Saturday pruning sessions in January and February
This succulent makes a great gift and can rebloom for many years to come
Recipe: Roasting squash increases the depth of flavor
Sacramento forecast calls for three days of steady rain
Temperature changes affect stone fruit and other crops
Easily found and budget-friendly items for gardeners
Whether cut or potted, these tips will help your evergreen stay fresh
Roseville offers two-month course designed for home gardeners; sign up now
Popular holiday plant comes in wide range of hues including several shades of pink
Recipe: Sweet potato latkes, served with applesauce and sour cream
Be prepared to chill: Frosty mornings return to Sacramento forecast
Green Acres offers ornament-themed container gardening workshop Dec. 16
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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