Sacramento Digs Gardening: Sacramento community gardens staying open

Artichokes don't stop growing during a shutdown. Community gardens such as Fremont in midtown Sacramento are staying open. (Photo: Debbie Arrington)

Gardeners can keep their plots growing during coronavirus crisis

In the greater scheme of our new normal, gardening is essential.

As a food source and open space, Sacramento’s community gardens are being allowed to stay open to members during the current coronavirus shutdown.

“The (community) garden is considered a park and open space,” explained Bill Maynard, the City of Sacramento’s community gardens coordinator. “Also in some ways, (the garden is) a food store, so you can go to it.”

Gardeners are asked to be mindful of social distancing – stay at least 6 feet away from other people while pulling weeds or watering veggies. That shouldn’t be a problem; gardening tends to be a solo activity in general.

Maynard asked that gardeners also use some other precautions, such as bringing their own gloves or tools.

“Wear gloves when using the common tools,” he said. “Wear gloves when touching common things like locks, tables, etc. Wash your hands often! Don’t touch your face.”

Besides the food, community gardens also give gardeners a chance to exercise outside, offering both mental and physical benefits during these stressful times.

On the practical side, gardens need consistent care. If left alone for several weeks during this crisis, weeds would take over and there would be much more work to tackle later on. So, Sacramento is encouraging community gardeners to maintain their plots and pull the weeds.

Like many city employees, Maynard will be off work for the next two or three weeks. But he’ll still be gardening.

“Take care and be healthy,” he said. “Eat your veggies!”

GENERAL GARDENING

An article about gardening.

Keywords:

community garden gardening Sacramento vegetables coronavirus vegetable gardens Fremont Community Garden parks weeds

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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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