Dig In: Garden checklist for week of Dec. 7

Love fog? You’re in luck. According to the National Weather Service, we’ve settled into a foggy pattern that will last at least until midweek. “Forecast on repeat,” says the weather service. “(Expect) patchy morning Valley fog and low clouds, dry (conditions) with light wind, highs in the mid 50s, overnight lows in the 40s.”

That’s the pattern through most of this coming week with possible sun peeking through in mid-afternoon. Sacramento might see a more typical 59 degrees on Wednesday and Thursday, but not much higher, says the weather service. Normal for this week: Highs of 58 and low of 39.

Lately, Sacramento has felt more like London than California with heavy fog blanketing most of the valley. Friday’s high was only 45 degrees.

Chilly nights are finishing off the last of the tomato plants. So far this new month, Sacramento has already recorded overnight lows in the 30s four times.

These low temperatures will bring distinct changes in the garden as plants shed their leaves and go dormant. Make the most of these dry days – and dress warmly.

For weather updates: https://www.weather.gov/sto/

* Brighten the holidays with winter bloomers such as poinsettias, amaryllis, calendulas, Iceland poppies, pansies and primroses.

* Keep poinsettias in a sunny, warm location. Water thoroughly. After the holidays, feed your plants monthly so they’ll bloom again next December.

* Rake and remove dead leaves and stems from dormant perennials.

* Rake and compost leaves from trees, 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.

* 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, primroses, violas 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.

* Prune non-flowering trees and shrubs while they’re dormant.

* Clean and sharpen garden tools before storing for the winter.

* Bare-root season begins. Plant bare-root berries, kiwifruit, grapes, artichokes, horseradish and rhubarb.