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Dig In: Garden checklist for week of Oct. 22

Pleasant planting weather returns after Sunday's expected (light) rain

It's the perfect time to plants seeds for flowers such as nasturtiums, poppies and sweet peas.

It's the perfect time to plants seeds for flowers such as nasturtiums, poppies and sweet peas. Kathy Morrison

Rain in October? It’s not as rare as we may think. In Sacramento, this month averages nearly an inch (0.95) of precipitation.

But after several days of sunny, summer-like weather, this weekend’s drizzly rain feels like a shock to our system.

According to the National Weather Service, Sacramento is likely to see less than a tenth of an inch from this storm system on Sunday – just enough to get things damp and cool down temperatures. The forecast calls for a 50% chance of rain, peaking in mid morning Sunday.

Those clouds will noticeably cool temperatures, too. After a high of 85 on Friday, Sunday’s expected high is only 69 – 10 degrees below normal for mid October.

After Sunday, sunny and dry weather returns with highs in the 70s – perfect for planting. Take advantage of this opportunity.

* October is the best month to plant trees, shrubs and perennials. Make the most of warm weather this week with damp soil.

* Did your garden get enough rain? Test soil moisture, then consider deep watering shrubs and trees. Likely, they still need a drink.

* 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.

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Garden Checklist for week of Feb. 2

During this stormy week, let the rain soak in while making plans for all the things you’re going to plant soon:

* During rainy weather, turn off the sprinklers. After a good soaking from winter storms, lawns can go at least a week without sprinklers, according to irrigation experts. For an average California home, that week off from watering can save 800 gallons.

* 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).

* 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.

* 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.

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