Dig In: Garden checklist for week of March 22
Spring? These temperatures already feel like summer (or at least June).
With no rain or cool down in sight, the first full week of spring will continue our current heat wave. According to the National Weather Service, Sacramento can expect more days in the high to mid 80s, at least through Friday. These afternoon temperatures are running more than 20 degrees above normal; average high for this week is 65 degrees.
Overnight lows will be on the warm side, too, with most nights dipping into the 50s but not lower. Average low for this week: 44 degrees.
During this warm spell, Sacramento has already tied the record (twice) for the hottest March day on record – 88 degrees – and may still surpass that mark. Several local communities have set new daily records, too.
Soil temperatures are rising, too; so much so, you may transplant a few trial tomatoes, but hold off on planting ALL your summer veggies until mid April. Otherwise, your summer veggies may be spent before summer even arrives.
While this weather is unusually warm for March, mornings are still mild. Get out early and get to work.
Don’t forget to water.
* Weed, weed, weed! Get them before they flower. Take a hoe and whack them at the base.
* Prepare vegetable beds for summer favorites. Spade in compost and other amendments.
* In the vegetable garden, transplant lettuce for one last spring crop.
* Seed chard and beets directly into the ground.
* Harvest fall-planted lettuce and cabbage before it “bolts” – sending out flower shoots.
* Fertilize roses, annual flowers and berries as spring growth begins to appear.
* Prune and fertilize spring-flowering shrubs after bloom.
* Feed camellias at the end of their bloom cycle. Pick up browned and fallen flowers to help corral blossom blight.
* Feed citrus trees, which are now in bloom and setting fruit. To prevent sunburn and borer problems on young trees, paint the exposed portion of the trunk with diluted white latex (water-based) interior paint. Dilute the paint with an equal amount of cold water before application.
* Feed roses with a balanced fertilizer (such as 10-10-10, the ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium available in that product).
* Prune and fertilize spring-flowering shrubs and trees after they bloom. Try using well-composted manure, spread 1-inch thick under the tree. This serves as both fertilizer and mulch, retaining moisture while cutting down on weeds.
* Cut back and fertilize perennial herbs to encourage new growth.
* Plant summer bulbs, including gladiolus, tuberous begonias and callas. Also plant dahlia tubers.
* Shop for perennials. Many varieties are available in local nurseries and at plant events. They can be transplanted now while the weather remains relatively cool.
* Seed and renovate the lawn. Feed cool-season grasses such as bent, blue, rye and fescue with a slow-release fertilizer. Check the irrigation system and perform maintenance. Make sure sprinkler heads are turned toward the lawn, not the sidewalk.
