Dig In: Garden checklist for week of Oct. 5

After a surprisingly wet start, October is now settling into a pattern of beautiful fall weather – just what you would expect for early fall in Sacramento.

According to the National Weather Service, downtown Sacramento received at least a trace of rain on four straight days, Sept. 30 through Oct. 3, with 0.29 inches recorded on Thursday, Oct. 2. That was the most rain Sacramento has received since March 14, which capped off a three-day series of storms totaling nearly an inch.

We could certainly use this October rain; the start of a new water year, this month averages 0.95 inches.

Speaking of average, this week is shaping up to be totally normal for early October in Sacramento with highs in the upper 70s and low 80s. Our average high for this week: 78 degrees.

Nights remain warm, too, with overnight lows in the mid to upper 50s – perfect for new fall transplants.

Enjoy these sunny fall days – and get to work!

* October is the best month to plant trees, shrubs and perennials. Make the most of a warm weekend with damp soil.

* October is the best month to plant perennials in our area. Add a little well-aged compost and bone meal to the planting hole, but hold off on other fertilizers until spring. Keep the transplants well-watered (but not wet) for the first month as they become settled.

* Now is the time to plant seeds for many flowers directly into the garden, including cornflower, nasturtium, nigella, poppy, portulaca, sweet pea and stock.

* Plant seeds for radishes, bok choy, mustard, spinach and peas.

* Plant garlic and onions.

* Set out cool-weather bedding plants, including calendula, pansy, snapdragon, primrose and viola.

* Reseed and feed the lawn. Work on bare spots.

* Dig up corms and tubers of gladioli, dahlias and tuberous begonias after the foliage dies. Clean and store in a cool, dry place.

* Treat azaleas, gardenias and camellias with chelated iron if leaves are yellowing between the veins.

* Clean up the summer vegetable garden and compost disease-free foliage.

* Harvest pumpkins and winter squash.