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Reset clocks this weekend -- and sprinklers, too

Daylight time starts Sunday; expanded watering schedule already here

Sidewalk with water from sprinkler
Sprinklers should be adjusted so they're not watering the sidewalk or the
gutter. Sacramento also does not permit irrigation during midday, only between 7 p.m. and 10 a.m. (Photo: Kathy Morrison)




Time to spring forward! Daylight-saving time starts Sunday, March 14.

Remember to reset your clocks before you go to bed Saturday night.

Also, reset clocks and timers on your irrigation system. With lengthening days, you’ll likely want to water earlier and later than your winter schedule.

In Sacramento, March also brings a return of the warm-season watering schedule. Residents may use sprinklers twice a week, depending on address. Even-numbered homes may water Wednesday and Sunday; odd-numbered homes water on Tuesday and Saturday.

Regardless of your watering days, hours are restricted to the period 7 p.m. to 10 a.m. So, either water in the evening, overnight or early morning.

The exception: Drip irrigation may be used at any time. Also, plants in containers may be watered as needed.

Installing new sod or other landscaping? You may water 30 consecutive days to help get it established. Same goes for a reseeded lawn.

City of Sacramento reminds residents that runoff from irrigation is not permitted at any time. So use this weekend to check for leaks and malfunctioning sprinkler heads, too. Water the landscaping, not the sidewalk.

And if it rains (as we saw this week), remember to turn off irrigation – at least for a little while. The city recommends keeping sprinklers off for 48 hours after .125 inch of rain or more.

For more tips:
https://bit.ly/3ezajsY

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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.

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