Dig In: Garden checklist for week of Nov. 30
Will we ever see the sun again? Yes, and soon.
After several consecutive foggy days and nights, Sacramento gardeners are ready for a sunny break. We’ve been virtually socked in since last Monday, Nov. 24, with a heavy layer of fog and low clouds blanketing the valley.
If you really need a little sun, venture to the Sierra foothills, where you’ll find clear skies and warmer afternoon temperatures. But meantime in the lowlands, fog has kept us locked into the 40s (day and night) with no sun in sight.
That fog and cloud layer has stabilized temperatures at “chilly” and decidedly damp. After dipping down to a record low of 39 on Thanksgiving Eve, Sacramento experienced consecutive overnight lows of 45 degrees on Thanksgiving Thursday and Friday. The high? The mercury barely moved. According to the National Weather Service, Sacramento saw 48 on Thursday and 47 on Friday. Normal highs for late November: 65 degrees.
(That’s a big contrast to how Sacramento started November with nine out of the first 11 days above 70 degrees.)
Fortunately, this fog should finally dissipate sometime late Monday, the first day of December. The new month will start on the colder side with highs in the low 60s, but at least we’ll be able to see (and feel) some sun.
The absence of fog and cloud cover also means colder nights. Expect overnight lows to dip down close to 40 degrees this week. Protect tender plants from possible frost damage. Don’t leave poinsettias outdoors.
Without the fog, damp ground will finally have a chance to dry out – and no rain is in the forecast for at least a week. Make the most of this break in the weather and tackle late fall chores.
For weather updates: https://www.weather.gov/sto/
* Rake and compost leaves, but dispose of any diseased plant material. For example, if peach and nectarine trees showed signs of leaf curl this year, clean up under trees and dispose of those leaves instead of composting.
* Clear gutters and storm drains.
* Prune dead or broken branches from trees.
* For holiday blooms indoors, plant paperwhite narcissus bulbs now. Fill a shallow bowl or dish with 2 inches of rocks or pebbles. Place bulbs in the dish with the root end nestled in the rocks. Add water until it just touches the bottom of the bulbs. Place the dish in a sunny window. Add water as needed.
* Plant bulbs at two week intervals to spread out your spring bloom. Some possible suggestions: daffodils, crocuses, hyacinths, tulips, anemones and scillas.
* Seed wildflowers and plant such spring bloomers as sweet pea, sweet alyssum and bachelor buttons.
* Set out cool-weather annuals such as pansies and snapdragons.
* Lettuce, cabbage and broccoli also can be planted now.
* Plant garlic and onions.
* Give your azaleas, gardenias and camellias a boost with chelated iron.
* For larger blooms, pinch off some camellia buds.
