Dig In: Garden checklist for week of July 27

Who knew that July in Sacramento could feel so mild? Those lower than normal temperatures continue – at least a few more days.

According to the National Weather Service, Sacramento will top out in the mid 80s this weekend before returning to a more typical midsummer pattern. This cooler weather is due in part to passing clouds, which could create thunderstorms in the Sierra.

In Sacramento, we’re unlikely to see a drop from those clouds. But we will enjoy very pleasant gardening weather. Expected high for Saturday (July 26) is only 84 degrees – about 9 degrees below average for that date.

Monday is expected to see a return to the low 90s, says the weather service, but Wednesday (July 30) is forecast for only 88 degrees. July likely will average below normal for the month. However, August most likely will feel like … August. We can’t hold off those triple-digit days forever.

Enjoy these mild temperatures while we have them – and spend more time in your garden.

* Add some summer color. Plant petunias, snapdragons, zinnias and marigolds.

* From seed, plant corn, pumpkins, radishes, winter squash and sunflowers. Plant Halloween pumpkins now.

* Keep your vegetable garden watered, mulched and weeded. Water before 8 a.m. to reduce the chance of fungal infection and to conserve moisture.

* Water, then fertilize vegetables and blooming annuals, perennials and shrubs to give them a boost. Feeding flowering plants every other week will extend their bloom.

* Give vegetable plants bone meal or other fertilizers high in phosphate to stimulate more blooms and fruiting.

* Pinch back chrysanthemums for bushy plants and more flowers in September.

* Remove spent flowers from roses, daylilies and other bloomers as they finish flowering.

* Pinch off blooms from basil so the plant will grow more leaves.

* Cut back lavender after flowering to promote a second bloom.