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General Gardening Articles

Mon, Mar 18, 2024

These hardy orchids thrive outdoors in Sacramento

Sacramento Valley Cymbidium Society hosts annual show and sale

Fri, Mar 15, 2024

Is it too early to plant tomatoes?

Wait until April before putting tender summer transplants in the ground

Thu, Mar 14, 2024

Celebrate green Sunday in a native plant garden

Patricia Carpenter opens her property for the Early Spring Ramble

Wed, Mar 13, 2024

Sacramento Home & Garden Show returns to Cal Expo

Find three days of inspiration, vendors and deals

Tue, Mar 12, 2024

Get growing with expert advice at Saturday's Open Garden

Preparing for spring and summer, Sacramento County master gardeners host free event

Mon, Mar 11, 2024

Shepard Center hosts big Spring Sale, plus tree planting

Clubs to offer their expertise, plants and wares; volunteers needed for McKinley Park beautification event

Fri, Mar 08, 2024

Shepard Center is Sacramento's hub for spring plant sales, shows

Find unusual plants, garden wares while supporting local vendors and clubs

Thu, Mar 07, 2024

Get to know worms, and what they can do for your garden

Master gardeners offer spring workshops in vermiculture

Wed, Mar 06, 2024

UC Davis Arboretum hosts first spring plant sale of 2024

Members-only event features huge selection of water-wise plants; join at the gate

Tue, Mar 05, 2024

Gardener's Market brings together local specialty nurseries, artisans

Sacramento Perennial Plant Club event features dozens of vendors at Shepard Center

Mon, Mar 04, 2024

100th Sacramento Camellia Show attracts a crowd

People brave stormy weather to celebrate milestone and see lots of flowers

Sat, Mar 02, 2024

Dig In: Garden checklist for week of March 3

Cold storms remind us: It’s still winter (but we have camellias)

Fri, Mar 01, 2024

Cold, wet weather puts brakes on Sacramento's spring

High temperatures take a 20-degree dip from last weekend's warmth

Wed, Feb 28, 2024

Learn how to create an easy raised bed with straw bales

Placer County master gardeners offer free workshop on straw-bale gardening

Tue, Feb 27, 2024

Learn how to 'Take Great Rose Photos with Your Phone'

American Rose Society offers free webinar on flower photography

Mon, Feb 26, 2024

Sacramento celebrates favorite flower at 100th Camellia Show

Milestone event to be at new location: Scottish Rite Center

Fri, Feb 23, 2024

Rain and warmer weather bring … rust

How to tackle fungal outbreaks on roses without spraying

Thu, Feb 22, 2024

Fruit trees for a home garden? Think small

Placer County master gardeners present workshop Saturday

Wed, Feb 21, 2024

How does Sacramento rain total measure up?

February has been very wet; warmer (and dry) weather is on its way

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Taste Winter! E-cookbook

Lemon coconut pancakes

Find our winter recipes here!

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Dig In: Garden Checklist

For week of March 17:

Make the most of this sunny, dry break and get to work. Your garden isn’t waiting around; it’s growing fast!

* Pull 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 Spring! E-cookbook

Strawberries

Find our spring recipes here!

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!