Dig In: Garden checklist for week of Nov. 23

Happy Thanksgiving week! We gardeners have plenty to be thankful for – namely, no drought predictions for the season ahead.

Thanks to twin atmospheric rivers, our November rain accumulation is very healthy. This month, Sacramento has received 3.18 inches of rain – 325% of average, reports the National Weather Service. Average for those first three weeks: 0.93 inches. November typically gets just over 2 inches.

That November rainfall is on top of a generous October storm cycle. October totaled 1.88 inches – more than an inch above average.

So far this new water year (which started Oct. 1), Sacramento has received 5.06 inches. That’s a huge buffer against a dry December or January. As far as staving off drought in 2026, the real tell will be the Sierra snowpack. Stay tuned!

Meanwhile, Sacramento is settling into a chilly fall pattern typical for late November – foggy mornings, sunny but chilly afternoons in the low 60s and overnight lows close to 40 degrees. Say goodbye to the last of your tomato plants!

Remember a sweater on Turkey Day. After a foggy morning, Thanksgiving Thursday is expected to top out at 60 degrees in Sacramento with an overnight low of 42.

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

Before (or after) digging into Thursday’s feast, burn off some calories outdoors:

* 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.

* After the storm, 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.

* Save dry stalks and seedpods from poppies and coneflowers for fall bouquets and holiday decorating.

* Give your azaleas, gardenias and camellias a boost with chelated iron.

* For larger blooms, pinch off some camellia buds.