Each month offers tips on keeping the garden and the gardeners healthy
Thoughtful landscaping can channel more deep irrigation to trees, shrubs
Spectacular chrysanthemums on display plus potted plants for sale
One-acre nursery offers thousands of water-wise plants at bargain prices
New! Autumn spices and mix-ins boost the fall vibe
Week starts soggy as Sacramento settles into fall weather pattern
Sacramento Tree Foundation offers ‘Tree Identification’ workshop, walking tour
Environmental factors combine to cause the ripening fruit to burst
SCTA hosts huge event at Shepard Center including daily fashion shows
Sacramento Valley can expect gusts up to 50 mph, says weather service
Find out how to transform houseplants into living art at Green Acres in Elk Grove
New! Spiced pumpkin pancakes make use of favorite fall flavors
November starts with typical fall weather – mild
Garden forecast: November starts with real rain, then more warm days
Visit CNPS Garden Ambassador's 1-acre site; registration required
Half Moon Bay champion wins by a margin of just 6 pounds
Master gardeners offer free workshop on 'Asexual Propagation'
Elk Grove destination garden shop to hold annual open house
New! Dijon, horseradish and more provide the kick
Last days of October may get a little damp
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Garden Checklist for week of Dec. 22
* Between showers this week, check on your garden’s welfare. Clean up fallen branches and other debris. Don’t let water pool near foundations.
* When working (or just walking) in the garden, be careful of soggy ground; it can compact easily. Soggy soil also will rot newly planted bulbs. Wait until the soil is moist but not dripping wet.
* Rake leaves away from storm drains and gutters. Recycle those leaves as mulch or add to compost.
* Brighten the holidays with winter bloomers such as poinsettias, amaryllis and cyclamen indoors, and Iceland poppies, calendulas, pansies and primroses outdoors.
* Keep poinsettias in a sunny, warm location; bring them inside at night or if there’s rain. (They don’t like cold, wet weather.)
* Prune non-flowering trees and shrubs while they’re dormant.
* Clean and sharpen garden tools before storing for the winter.
* Rake and remove dead leaves and stems from dormant perennials.
* Seed wildflowers and plant such spring bloomers as sweet pea, sweet alyssum and bachelor buttons.
* Once soil dries out a little, trees and shrubs can be planted now, especially bare-root varieties such as fruit trees or rose bushes. This gives them plenty of time for root development before spring growth. They also benefit from winter rains.
* Plant bare-root berries, kiwifruit, grapes, artichokes, horseradish and rhubarb.
* Set out cool-weather annuals such as pansies and snapdragons.
* Lettuce, cabbage and broccoli also can be planted now.