Dig In: Garden checklist for week of Dec. 15
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| Christmas camellias are now in full bloom. Pick some for a winter bouquet. (Photo: Debbie Arrington) |
Make the most of soft soil on dry days
What drought? Recent rain has refreshed our gardens and our water reserves.
After speculation in November that we were heading for a dry winter, the storms washed away any mention of the “D” word.
According to the
National Weather Service
, Sacramento has received more than 3.55 inches so far in December. That increased our seasonal total since Oct. 1 to 4.26 inches – normal for this time period.
By comparison, last season to date was 3.14 inches.
Make the most of soft soil during dry days to get things done:
* Pick a winter bouquet to enjoy indoors. Christmas camellias are enjoying this weather and are now in full bloom.
* Prune non-flowering trees and shrubs while they’re dormant.
* Rake and remove dead leaves and stems from dormant perennials.
* Plant cool-season annuals such as calendulas, Iceland poppies, pansies and primroses.
* Plant bare-root berries, kiwifruit, grapes, artichokes, horseradish and rhubarb. Beware of soggy soil. It can rot bare-root plants.
* Just because it rained doesn’t mean every plant got watered. Give a drink to plants that the rain didn’t reach.
