Dig In: Garden checklist for week of Oct. 15

If you didn’t get enough summer weather, you’re in luck. The 80s are back!

According to the National Weather Service, Sacramento can expect at least six consecutive days in the 80s starting Sunday. This run of warm fall weather is expected to top out at 88 degrees on Thursday, but will stick around into next weekend. Skies will be sunny, too, with “0% chance” of rain, says the weather service.

Meanwhile, nights will remain warm with overnight lows in the high 50s. That will keep soil warm, too.

That combination of warm days and nights makes for ideal planting weather. October is the best month to transplant trees, shrubs and California natives. This warm weather and soil prompts plants to put down strong roots and quickly get established. Remember to water deeply.

* October also is the best month to plant perennials in our area. Add a little well-aged compost and bone meal to the planting hole, but hold off on other fertilizers until spring. Keep the transplants well-watered (but not wet) for the first month as they become settled.

* Now is the time to plant seeds for many flowers directly into the garden, including cornflower, nasturtium, nigella, poppy, portulaca, sweet pea and stock.

* Plant seeds for radishes, bok choy, mustard, spinach and peas. Plant garlic and onions.

* Set out cool-weather bedding plants, including calendula, pansy, snapdragon, primrose and viola.

* Reseed and feed the lawn. Work on bare spots.

* Dig up corms and tubers of gladioli, dahlias and tuberous begonias after the foliage dies. Clean and store in a cool, dry place.

* Treat azaleas, gardenias and camellias with chelated iron if leaves are yellowing between the veins.

* Clean up the summer vegetable garden and compost disease-free foliage.

* Harvest pumpkins and winter squash.