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Checklist for the Week Articles

Sat, Oct 21, 2023

Dig In: Garden checklist for week of Oct. 22

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

Sat, Oct 14, 2023

Dig In: Garden checklist for week of Oct. 15

Warm days return; make the most of planting weather

Sat, Oct 07, 2023

Dig In: Garden checklist for week of Oct. 8

Much cooler temperatures coming soon; plant now!

Sat, Sep 30, 2023

Dig In: Garden checklist for week of Oct. 1

Light rain, cool temperatures and warm soil create great conditions for planting fall garden.

Sat, Sep 23, 2023

Dig In: Garden checklist for week of Sept. 24

Autumn starts on cool side – with a chance of rain coming soon

Sat, Sep 16, 2023

Dig In: Garden checklist for week of Sept. 17

Final days of summer will be perfect for fall planting

Sat, Sep 09, 2023

Dig In: Garden checklist for week of Sept. 10

Sunny, clear and not-too-hot days make for good planting weather

Sat, Sep 02, 2023

Dig In: Garden checklist for week of Sept. 3

Make the most of this cool end of summer; start your fall garden

Sat, Aug 26, 2023

Dig In: Garden checklist for week of Aug. 27

August ends on a warm note, but cooler days coming soon

Sat, Aug 19, 2023

Dig In: Garden checklist for week of Aug. 20

Some rain possible from unusual storm system, but not a deluge

Sat, Aug 12, 2023

Dig In: Garden checklist for week of Aug. 13

More triple-digit heat coming soon; plan accordingly

Sat, Aug 05, 2023

Dig In: Garden checklist for week of Aug. 6

Our yo-yo weather continues; watch out for signs of plant stress

Sat, Jul 29, 2023

Dig In: Garden checklist for week of July 30

Last days of July seem normal before 'cool' start to August

Sat, Jul 22, 2023

Dig In: Garden checklist for week of July 23

After record heat, some cool relief is on its way

Sat, Jul 15, 2023

Dig In: Garden checklist for week of July 16

Intense heat will challenge midsummer garden

Sat, Jul 08, 2023

Dig In: Garden checklist for week of July 9

Make most of mild weather before triple-digit heat returns Friday, opening day of the State Fair.

Sat, Jul 01, 2023

Dig In: Garden checklist for week of July 2

Red-hot start could make July challenging

Sat, Jun 24, 2023

Dig In: Garden checklist for week of June 25

June ends with a warming trend; triple digits coming soon

Sat, Jun 17, 2023

Dig In: Garden checklist for week of June 18

Windy conditions will keep temperatures below average during last days of spring.

Sat, Jun 10, 2023

Dig In: Garden checklist for week of June 11

Coolish June weather continues but watch out for threat of thunderstorms.

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Taste Spring! E-cookbook

Strawberries

Find our spring recipes here!

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Dig In: Garden Checklist

For week of March 24:

In between cloud bursts, try to catch up with early spring chores. 

* Attack weeds now! Get them before they flower and go to seed. Take a hoe and whack them as soon as they sprout. Aim for 1 inch below the soil line.

* 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 now in bloom and setting fruit. 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).

* 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.

* Seed and renovate the lawn (if you still have one). Feed cool-season grasses such as bent, blue, rye and fescue with a slow-release fertilizer. Check the irrigation system and perform maintenance. Make sure sprinkler heads are turned toward the lawn, not the sidewalk.

* In the vegetable garden, transplant lettuce and cole family plants, such as cabbage, broccoli, collards and kale.

* Seed chard and beets directly into the ground.

* 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.

Taste Summer! E-cookbook

square-tomatoes-plate.jpg

Find our summer recipes here!

Taste Fall! E-cookbook

Muffins and pumpkin

Find our fall recipes here!

Taste Winter! E-cookbook

Lemon coconut pancakes

Find our winter recipes here!