Stories on Stage Davis hosts special event with literary, gardening flair
El Dorado County master gardeners offer free workshop
Master gardeners to unveil water-wise showcase at Loomis Library
NEW Baked lemon-Dijon chicken thighs with herbs
Spring gets off to rainy start, keeps temperatures cool
Global initiative leads to local landscapes and ways to save
Elk Grove, Orangevale each host information events
El Dorado County master gardeners spotlight these flavorful plants from garden to gourmet
Plenty of sunshine and flowers welcome start of new season
Sacramento Valley Cymbidium Society hosts annual show and sale
NEW Celebrate St. Patrick's Day with this delicious side dish
Make the most of warm weather; tackle weeds and other spring chores.
Wait until April before putting tender summer transplants in the ground
Patricia Carpenter opens her property for the Early Spring Ramble
Find three days of inspiration, vendors and deals
Preparing for spring and summer, Sacramento County master gardeners host free event
Clubs to offer their expertise, plants and wares; volunteers needed for McKinley Park beautification event
Recipe: Mom’s chili and beans with grated cheese and onions
Spring is almost here (but first, some more rain)
Find unusual plants, garden wares while supporting local vendors and clubs
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Garden Checklist for week of May 5
Survey your garden after the May 4 rainstorm. Heavy rain and gusty winds can break the neck of large flowers such as roses. Also:
* Keep an eye on new transplants or seedlings; they could take a pounding from the rain.
* Watch out for powdery mildew. Warmth following moist conditions can cause this fungal disease to “bloom,” too. If you see a leaf that looks like it’s dusted with powdered sugar, snip it off.
* After the storm, start setting out tomato transplants, but wait on the peppers and eggplants (they want warmer nights). Pinch off any flowers on new transplants to make them concentrate on establishing roots instead of setting premature fruit.
* Trim dead flowers but not leaves from spring-flowering bulbs such as daffodils and tulips. Those leaves gather energy to create next year's flowers. Also, give the bulbs a fertilizer boost after bloom.
* Pinch chrysanthemums back to 12 inches for fall flowers. Cut old stems to the ground.
* Mulch around plants to conserve moisture and control weeds.
* From seed, plant beans, beets, cantaloupes, carrots, corn, cucumbers, melons, pumpkins, radishes and squash.
* Plant onion sets.
* In the flower garden, plant seeds for asters, cosmos, celosia, marigolds, salvia, sunflowers and zinnias. Transplant petunias, zinnias, geraniums and other summer bloomers.
* Plant perennials and dahlia tubers for summer bloom.
* Don’t wait; plant summer bulbs, such as gladiolus and tuberous begonias.
* Harvest cabbage, lettuce, peas and green onions.