Get answers to garden questions while watching experts at work
The pineapple sage in the Herb Garden at the Horticulture Center is looking a little shaggy these days. Learn about pruning herbs and many other topics during Open Garden this Saturday.
At the master gardeners’ Open Garden, of course!
On Saturday, Jan. 20, the UCCE Master Gardeners of Sacramento County kick off 2024 with their first Open Garden of the year at the Fair Oaks Horticulture Center in Fair Oaks Park – rain or shine.
From 9 a.m. to noon, the public is invited to join dozens of masters gardeners as they work in the Hort Center’s various specialty areas. Admission and parking are free. (No pets, please.)
“Open gardens are informal free events where you roam the gardens, watch what we are doing, see what we are growing and ask questions,” explain the master gardeners. “Bring samples of your problem plants, mystery pests and questions to the ‘Ask the Master Gardeners’ information table. Get one-on-one advice based on the most recent research-based sustainable practices.”
In addition, catch up with what’s happening in our cool-season gardens.
“Winter’s delights originate outdoors with seeds, ornamental berries and citrus fruit,” say the master gardeners. “Listen to mini-talks and talk with master gardeners among the various demonstration garden areas.”
Current topics include:
Orchard: Learn about keeping pests away, why wait to prune, and information about planting new trees.
Berries: Ask about the tastiest varieties to plant.
Compost: Keep it out of your green waste can and learn how to make your own compost.
Herbs: See how and why herbs need to be trimmed before spring growth.
WEL: Water-efficient landscape is a perfect choice to replace a lawn or add to your landscape.
Vegetables: Learn why to cover cool-weather crops with protective cloth.
Vineyard: Look for signs of bud growth on grape stems. Ask about pruning methods.
It’s also not too late to pick up a copy of the master gardeners’ excellent 2024 Garden Guide and Calendar; it will be on sale during the event. The garden guide is only $12 including tax, cash or check.
“It is a wonderful reminder of tasks to keep your garden healthy and thriving all year,” say the master gardeners. “A how-to guide on creating a habitat garden is featured this year advising you on plants to attract pollinators, birds and beneficial insects. Proceeds from sales help support the Master Gardeners of Sacramento County community projects.”
Fair Oaks Horticulture Center is located at 11549 Fair Oaks Blvd., Fair Oaks.
More details and directions: https://sacmg.ucanr.edu/.
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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.