October blows out with windy weekend and high fire danger before pleasant planting weather to start November.
Oriental fruit fly affects local gardeners, Soil Born Farms
Conversation with blog's Kathy Morrison delves into persimmons, baked goods and season-bridging salads
Build a bioactive terrarium at Friday Happy Hour workshop
Yolo County master gardeners share advice on how to create a 'Wildlife Friendly Garden'
Huge event features handmade pottery, ceramics, glass and metalwork
Recipe: Maple glaze is subtly spiced; lime juice adds balance
Pleasant planting weather returns after Sunday's expected (light) rain
Saturday workshops offered at five Green Acres locations
Free classes cover key areas of fall gardening
Saturday events also include a native plant sale in Roseville
Sierra Foothills Rose Show will feature hundreds of blooms on Saturday, Oct. 21
Two per person -- one to keep, one to give -- as part of Petal It Forward
Recipe: Cincinnati chili is served over spaghetti; beans optional
Warm days return; make the most of planting weather
Unique event at Shepard Center features hand-painted items, tea service
Placer master gardeners present free in-person session
Tuesday's rain gets new water year off to good start
Make the most of bountiful harvests with these favorite recipes – all in one place
Final event of the year focuses on fall planting, composting and more
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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