Watch out for leaning trees and cracked soil
Raindrops dot this euphorbia plant after Wednesday morning's storm. The Sacramento region received varying amounts of rainfall this week. Kathy Morrison
How much rain did you get? Chances are – a lot!
Sacramento’s first atmospheric river of the 2023-24 rainy season gave our region a good, deep soaking. Starting Sunday night through Tuesday midnight, Downtown Sacramento recorded 2.61 inches, according to the National Weather Service. That includes a record 1.6 inches on Tuesday, Dec. 19.
Other parts of the greater Sacramento area received more – or less. Here in the Pocket/Greenhaven neighborhood, my rain gauge collected just under 4 inches. That includes some showers from Wednesday morning.
Meanwhile, Davis recorded only 1.24 inches since Sunday, says the weather service.
Rain totals from the thunderstorms that blew across our region Tuesday afternoon illustrate the hit-or-miss tendency of this storm system. Sacramento Executive Airport recorded 1.55 inches in the 24-hour period of 4 a.m. Tuesday-Wednesday, according to the California Nevada River Forecast Center, a part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. For that same period, Elk Grove received only 0.16 inches.
Also for that same 24 hours, Sacramento State’s rain gauge recorded 1.06 inches while the gauge at Arcade Creek-Winding Way in Carmichael received only 0.39.
While much of Sacramento was getting drenched Tuesday, Roseville, Fair Oaks, Rocklin, Orangevale, Lincoln and Rancho Cordova all recorded less than one-third inch.
A lot of rain in a hurry not only leads to possible flooding; it can destabilize trees – especially if followed by strong gusts of wind.
After the rain stops, take a look around your landscape. If you notice a tree leaning or cracks in the lawn or soil around a tree or large shrub, call an arborist. Those cracks are caused by roots being pulled out of place. You may need expert help to keep that tree upright.
Also be careful walking on wet soil; it can compact easily, squeezing out the vital air pockets needed by roots and microorganisms.
For more on Sacramento weather: https://www.weather.gov/sto/#.
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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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