Dig In: Garden checklist for week of May 17

Put away those power tools; no sparks allowed.

Due to dangerously strong and drying winds, a Red Flag Warning is in effect through 8 p.m. Monday, May 18, for all of the Sacramento and San Joaquin valleys. According to the National Weather Service, north winds of 20 to 30 mph will be blowing steadily, with 50 mph gusts on Sunday in the Delta and Sacramento area.

These strong winds will suck the moisture out of drying grasses and leaves. Daytime relative humidity is forecast to dip down to 7 to 15%. That’s tinder-dry and creates high fire danger, even in suburban neighborhoods.

In such conditions, it just takes a spark to start a wildfire. Using power tools outdoors – such as a lawnmower or edger – can accidentally ignite a rapidly moving blaze.

“Fire safety precautions should be exercised,” warns the weather service. “Always have an emergency plan if a fire starts near you.”

Temperatures will remain warm, too. After a weekend in the high 80s, Sacramento will see a string of afternoons in the mid to high 90s, peaking at 98 degrees Thursday. May’s average high is only 80 degrees.

Nights will stay warm with overnight lows in the upper 50s. (That’s good news for baby tomato plants.)

During these gusty conditions, protect plants from high winds. Fast-growing tomatoes may need extra support. Tie down anything that could blow over or away.

With an eye on warmer weather to come, continue to work on the summer vegetable garden:

* Remember to irrigate your tender transplants. Seedlings need consistent moisture. Deep watering will help build strong roots and healthy plants. Water early in the morning for best results.

* Plant, plant, plant! It’s prime planting season in the Sacramento area. Time to set out those tomato transplants along with peppers and eggplants. Pinch off any flowers on new transplants to make them concentrate on establishing roots instead of setting premature fruit.

* Direct-seed melons, cucumbers, summer squash, corn, radishes, pumpkins and annual herbs such as basil.

* Harvest lettuce, peas and green onions.

* In the flower garden, direct-seed sunflowers, cosmos, salvia, zinnias, marigolds, celosia and asters. (You also can transplant seedlings for many of the same flowers.)

* Plant dahlia tubers. 

* Transplant petunias, marigolds and perennial flowers such as astilbe, calibrachoa, columbine, coneflowers, coreopsis, rudbeckia and verbena.

* Keep an eye out for slugs, snails, earwigs and aphids that want to dine on tender new growth.

* Feed summer bloomers with a balanced fertilizer.

* For continued bloom, cut off spent flowers on roses as well as other flowering plants.

* Put your veggie garden on a regular diet. Set up a monthly feeding program, and keep track on your calendar. Make sure to water your garden before applying any fertilizer to prevent “burning” your plants.

* As spring-flowering shrubs finish blooming, give them a little pruning to shape them, removing old and dead wood. Lightly trim azaleas, fuchsias and marguerites for bushier plants.

* Don’t forget to weed! Those invaders are growing fast.