Sacramento Digs Gardening: Is it too hot for February favorites?

Jonquils in a container are particularly susceptible to drying heat. Make sure to water bulbs in pots. (Photo: Debbie Arrington)

Heat wave toasts daffodils, speeds blooming

This dry, warm February feels good to people, but not so comfortable for winter-blooming plants.

Daffodils open one day, wilt and brown the next. Tulips topple over in the afternoon. Flowering pears shower white petals.

Camellias appear two weeks ahead of schedule. Saucer magnolias are almost over the top.

These unusual conditions are expected to continue several more days with record or near-record highs in the upper 70s. Starting Tuesday, Sacramento is expected to hit at least 75 degrees on three consecutive days.

February’s rain meter remains stuck on zero. According to the National Weather Service, Sacramento has never had a rainless February. The driest on record -- 1899 -- had 0.04 inches. (That was followed by a very wet March.)

While it may feel like we’ve jumped weeks ahead on the calendar, cooler conditions are expected to return next week. Forecasters predict some much-needed precipitation in early March.

During this warm weather, concentrate on making your plants comfortable:

* Check soil moisture and deep irrigate where needed.

* Turn on the sprinklers and evaluate coverage. Make adjustments as needed.

* Apply insulating mulch around shrubs and trees.

* Pick up fallen camellia blooms to cut down on spread of fungal disease.

* Hold off on planting summer favorites such as tomatoes and squash. Nights are still too cold for their root development.

* Watch out for aphids; knock them off plants with a strong blast of water or insecticidal soap.

GENERAL GARDENING

An article about gardening.

Keywords:

unusual weather Sacramento February dry conditions camellias irrigation weather gardening mulch blooms rainfall bulbs flowers winter

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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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