Dig In: Garden checklist for week of April 12

Did you already set out your tomatoes? You may want to get some extra transplants for later planting, just in case those early-bird Early Girls don’t make it.

Thunderstorms rolled through the greater Sacramento area this weekend, reminding us that April weather can be unpredictable. Just when you though we settled into a summer-like pattern of warming temperatures (and nights above 50 degrees), some cold rain (and hail) jars us back to the realization: There’s a reason we usually plant tomatoes in late April – not early.

According to the National Weather Service, Sacramento may see 1 to 1.5 inches from these April storms – good news for water watchers! Even better is the fresh (very late) snow these storms delivered to the Sierra, refreshing the almost melted snowpack.

As for temperatures, Sacramento will see a 25-degree drop (or more). Sunday’s forecast high is only 58 degrees with “definite rain and thunder showers” expected around noon. The previous Sunday (April 5) saw a record high of 85 degrees. Normal for this week: 67 degrees.

Overnight lows also are cooling down from the comfortable 50s to 45 degrees (or colder).

If you haven’t set out your tomatoes, peppers and other summer favorites, wait until our weather stabilizes – which won’t be long. According to the weather service, Sacramento will be back in the mid 70s by next weekend – and sunny.

After these storms pass, get to work on spring clean-up.

* Weed, weed, weed! Take advantage of soft soil and pull them before they go to seed.

* From seed, plant beans, beets, cantaloupes, carrots, corn, cucumbers, melons, pumpkins, radishes and squash.

* Plant onion sets.

* In the flower garden, plant seeds for asters, cosmos, celosia, marigolds, salvia, sunflowers and zinnias.

* Transplant petunias, zinnias, geraniums and other summer bloomers.

* Plant perennials and dahlia tubers for summer bloom. Late April is about the last chance to plant summer bulbs, such as gladiolus and tuberous begonias.

* Transplant heat-resistant lettuce seedlings.

* Feed roses and other spring-blooming shrubs.

* April is the last chance to plant citrus trees such as dwarf orange, lemon and kumquat. These trees also look good in landscaping and provide fresh fruit in winter.

* Smell orange blossoms? Give citrus trees a low dose of balanced fertilizer (such as 10-10-10) during bloom to help set fruit. Keep an eye out for ants.

* Apply slow-release fertilizer to the lawn.

* Thoroughly clean debris from the bottom of outdoor ponds or fountains.

* Trim dead flowers but not leaves from spring-flowering bulbs such as daffodils and tulips. Those leaves gather energy to create next year's flowers. Also, give the bulbs a fertilizer boost after bloom.

* Mulch around plants to conserve moisture and control weeds. Avoid "volcano mulching" -- be sure to keep mulch a few inches away from tree trunks or the stems of shrubs. This prevents rot and disease.