Dig In: Garden checklist for week of Feb. 16

Get ready for some winter sun! After a very wet two weeks, Sacramento should see several dry days. According to the National Weather Service, we might not have any more rain this month as we settle into a spring-like weather pattern.

Since Jan. 31, downtown Sacramento has received 4.44 inches of rain – more than double the average for those two weeks. This deluge almost made up for a very dry January, which totaled 3 inches below normal.

Now this recent rain will have a chance to soak in – and we can get back to work outdoors. Our rain probability through Feb. 27 is 60% below normal, says the weather service.

Instead, be ready for warmer, sunnier days with higher than average temperatures. Friday’s afternoon high for Sacramento is forecast to be 67 degrees, 10 degrees above average for mid February. Overnight lows will be above average, too, staying in the mid 40s instead of dipping near freezing.

After all that rain, this warmer weather will cue spring bulbs and shrubs to bloom. Expect to see a lot of daffodils and camellias in flower as well as fruit tree blossoms.

Take advantage of this nice weather. There’s plenty to do as your garden starts to switch into high gear for spring growth.

* This is the last chance to spray fruit trees before their buds open. Treat peach and nectarine trees with copper-based fungicide. Spray apricot trees at bud swell to prevent brown rot. Apply horticultural oil to control scale, mites and aphids on fruit trees.

* Check soil moisture before resuming irrigation. Most likely, your soil is still pretty damp.

* Feed spring-blooming shrubs and fall-planted perennials with slow-release fertilizer. Feed mature trees and shrubs after spring growth starts.

* Transplant or direct-seed several flowers, including snapdragon, candytuft, lilies, astilbe, larkspur, Shasta and painted daisies, stocks, bleeding heart and coral bells.

* In the vegetable garden, plant Jerusalem artichoke tubers, and strawberry and rhubarb roots.

* Transplant cabbage and its close cousins – broccoli, kale and cauliflower – as well as lettuce (both loose leaf and head).

* Indoors, start peppers, tomatoes and eggplant from seed.

* Plant artichokes, asparagus and horseradish from root divisions.

* Plant potatoes from tubers and onions from sets (small bulbs). The onions will sprout quickly and can be used as green onions in March.

* From seed, plant beets, chard, lettuce, mustard, peas, radishes and turnips. (Tip: Soak beet seeds in tepid water for 24 hours before planting.)

* Annuals are showing up in nurseries, but wait until the weather warms up a bit before planting. Instead, set out flowering perennials such as columbine and delphinium.

* Plant summer-flowering bulbs including cannas, calla lilies and gladiolus.