Placer County master gardeners host free in-person workshop
Hmm, there's bound to be seeds to swap in this collection. Learn about seed saving and sharing during a Placer County master gardener-led workshop Jan. 13. Kathy Morrison
What does a gardener do on a cold, damp January day? It’s a good time to sort seeds (before ordering new packets).
You also may want to swap some extra seeds with gardening friends – or get ready to save seeds for future growing seasons.
Learn all about saving and sharing seeds during an upcoming free workshop. Hosted by the UCCE master gardeners of Placer County, “Seed Saving Flowers and Vegetables” will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 13, at the Loomis Library. No advance registration is necessary.
“Did you know that National Seed Swap Day is January 27, 2024?” say the organizers. “Honor the great U.S. tradition of swapping seeds with neighbors and sharing warmth with your community. You will learn the basics rules for seed saving, germination requirements by species, how to grow plants identical to the parent plant and how to preserve heirlooms.”
Not only will you be saving seeds, but saving money, too: Growing vegetables and flowers from seed costs a fraction of buying transplants. The one-hour class will cover all the basics to get you started.
Loomis Library is located at 6050 Library Drive in Loomis.
Details and directions: https://pcmg.ucanr.edu/.
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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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