What to do when it is just too Darn hot to Garden?

It has been a very hot summer everywhere. From what I have been told it is normal to get 100 plus days from the months here from  May to October. It is just too hot to garden.  so I have come up with some alternative projects. This post is written with regional information for the Sacramento area, but you can do a google search to find similar events.

 You can attend some of the events and festivals that are happening in Sacramento in August. There are many options for different interests and tastes, such as music, food, culture, art, comedy, and more. For example, you can check out the Sacramento Banana Festival, the Festival del Mole, the Sacramento Black Womxn’s Festival, or the Second Sunday Brunch Market. You can also see some of your favorite artists perform live, such as Duran Duran, Nile Rodgers, Bastille, or Tab Benoit.

 

 You can also improve your gardening skills by taking some classes or workshops that are offered in Sacramento. You can learn about different topics, such as organic gardening, composting, irrigation, pest control, pruning, harvesting, and more. You can also get some inspiration and ideas from other gardeners and experts. For example, you can join the Sacramento Master Gardeners program, which provides free gardening advice and education to the public. You can also visit some of the public gardens in Sacramento, such as the McKinley Park Rose Garden, the WPA Rock Garden, or the Capitol Park World Peace Rose Garden.

• You can also start planning for the fall season by preparing your soil, planting some seeds, and choosing your crops. You can grow some of the vegetables and herbs that thrive in cooler weather, such as lettuce, spinach, kale, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, beets, garlic, onions, parsley, cilantro, and more. You can also plant some of the flowers that bloom in autumn, such as chrysanthemums, asters, marigolds, pansies, violas, and more. You can also add some color and interest to your garden by planting some of the ornamental grasses that look great in fall, such as fountain grass, switch grass, feather reed grass, or blue oat grass.

I hope these suggestions help you find some fun and rewarding projects to do in August in Sacramento.😊

June in Bloom: Gardening Tips for Sacramento, CA

June is a time of growth and abundance in the garden in Sacramento, CA. With the weather warming up and the soil moist from spring rains, it's the perfect time to plant, prune, and prepare your garden for the summer months.

Here are some tips on what to do in your garden in Sacramento, CA in June:

1. Fertilize rhododendrons and azaleas: Give your rhododendrons and azaleas a boost with an acid-based fertilizer if needed . This will help them produce an abundance of beautiful blooms.

2. Plant warm-season vegetables: If soil temperature is above 70 degrees, it's time to plant eggplants, melons, tomatoes, squash, and peppers . Choose a variety of colors and shapes to create a visually stunning vegetable garden.

3. Manage weeds: Keep on top of weeds while they are small and still growing . Use natural weed control methods such as mulching or hand weeding to keep your garden weed-free.

4. Watch out for pests: Keep an eye out for pests in the garden. Trap moles and gophers as new mounds appear . Use natural pest control methods such as companion planting or introducing beneficial insects to keep pests at bay.

5. Apply mulch: When the soil is warm, apply a layer of mulch around your plants as long as there are no weeds. Mulch discourages weeds and helps to conserve moisture . Choose an organic mulch such as shredded leaves or straw to add nutrients to the soil as it decomposes.

6. Mow your lawn regularly: Keep your lawn looking neat and tidy by mowing it regularly . Leave the clippings on the lawn to add nutrients back into the soil.

7. Conserve water: Lay soaker hoses or drip lines on garden beds to conserve water . This will help keep your plants hydrated while using less water.

8. Plant bedding flowers: Add a pop of color to your garden by planting bedding flowers in moist soil . Remember to keep them well watered to ensure they thrive.

9. Prune flower shrubs: Keep your flower shrubs looking their best by pruning them after they have finished blooming—azaleas, forsythia, lilacs, and rhododendrons . You can also prune evergreens once new growth appears .

10. Sow hardy annual seeds: Add some instant color to your garden by sowing hardy annual seeds such as calendula, cosmos, and sweet peas . These flowers will bloom quickly and provide a beautiful display throughout the summer months.

By following these tips and taking good care of your garden in June, you'll be rewarded with a beautiful and productive garden throughout the summer months.

5 Tips on how to conserve water in your Garden

 

 

 5 Tips to Conserve Water in Your Garden

1. Mulch your garden beds: Adding a layer of mulch to your garden beds can help retain moisture in the soil and reduce the need for frequent watering.

2. Water at the right time: Watering your garden early in the morning or late in the evening can help reduce water loss due to evaporation.

3. Choose drought-tolerant plants: Selecting plants that are well-suited to your climate and require less water can help reduce your garden’s water usage.

4. Collect rainwater: Installing a rain barrel or other rainwater harvesting system can help you collect and store rainwater for use in your garden.

5. Use efficient irrigation methods: Drip irrigation and soaker hoses can help deliver water directly to the roots of your plants, reducing water waste.

By following these simple tips, you can conserve water in your garden while still maintaining a beautiful and healthy landscape.

Received message. Sure! Here's a draft of an SEO optimized post for a blogger on 5 tips on how to conserve water in the garden: Title: 5 Tips to Conserve Water in Your Garden 1. **Mulch your garden beds**: Adding a layer of mulch to your garden beds can help retain moisture in the soil and reduce the need for frequent watering. 2. **Water at the right time**: Watering your garden early in the morning or late in the evening can help reduce water loss due to evaporation. 3. **Choose drought-tolerant plants**: Selecting plants that are well-suited to your climate and require less water can help reduce your garden's water usage. 4. **Collect rainwater**: Installing a rain barrel or other rainwater harvesting system can help you collect and store rainwater for use in your garden. 5. **Use efficient irrigation methods**: Drip irrigation and soaker hoses can help deliver water directly to the roots of your plants, reducing water waste. By following these simple tips, you can conserve water in your garden while still maintaining a beautiful and healthy landscape.

Spring into Action: Gardening Tips for Sacramento, CA

Spring has sprung in Sacramento, CA and it's time to get your garden in tip-top shape for the summer months. With the weather warming up and the soil moist from spring rains, May is the perfect time to plant, prune, and prepare your garden for a bountiful harvest.

Here are some tips on what to do in your garden in Sacramento, CA in May:

1. Check soil moisture: After any rain, check the soil moisture in several places around your garden. Some spots may be saturated; avoid walking or working those wet areas. Some places may need extra irrigation; give those plants a drink .

2. Keep an eye out for pests: Keep an eye out for slugs, snails, earwigs and aphids that want to dine on tender new growth . Use natural pest control methods such as companion planting or introducing beneficial insects to keep pests at bay.

3. Feed summer bloomers: Feed summer bloomers with a balanced fertilizer . This will give them the nutrients they need to produce an abundance of beautiful blooms.

4. Deadhead spent flowers: For continued bloom, cut off spent flowers on roses as well as other flowering plants . This will encourage the plant to produce more flowers and keep your garden looking beautiful.

5. Water regularly: Don’t forget to water later this week. Those showers may not have delivered much moisture. Seedlings need consistency. Deep watering will help build strong roots and healthy plants .

6. Set up a monthly feeding program: 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 .

7. Prune spring-flowering shrubs: As spring-flowering shrubs finish blooming, give them a little pruning to shape them, removing old and dead wood . This will encourage new growth and keep your shrubs looking healthy.

8. Add mulch: Add mulch to the garden to conserve moisture and maintain soil warmth. Mulch also cuts down on weeds . Choose an organic mulch such as shredded leaves or straw to add nutrients to the soil as it decomposes.

9. Plant vegetables: Plant, plant, plant! It’s prime planting season in the Sacramento area. Time to set out those tomato transplants along with peppers and eggplants . You can also direct-seed melons, cucumbers, summer squash, corn, radishes, pumpkins and annual herbs such as basil .

10. Plant flowers: In the flower garden, direct-seed sunflowers, cosmos, salvia, zinnias, marigolds, celosia and asters . You can also transplant seedlings for many of the same flowers. Choose a variety of colors and shapes to create a visually stunning garden.

By following these tips and taking good care of your garden in May, you'll be rewarded with a beautiful and productive garden throughout the summer months.

Spring Mailbox Dollar Tree DIY

 Caroline’s mom decorated her mailbox for spring and summer with sweet birdhouses from The Dollar Tree. She  attached a paint stick (found at any paint supply store) to stick into the flower baskets  

White paint contrasts with the wooden cut out design. 

She added pretty bows, flowers and decorations she had on hand. 

Soon the bed beneath the mailbox will be planted with annuals. Updates to follow! 

Garden Pests to Watch for in Sacramento, CA in May

May is a time of growth and abundance in the garden in Sacramento, CA. However, it's also a time when garden pests can become a problem. Keeping an eye out for common pests and taking steps to control them can help keep your garden healthy and productive.

Here are some common garden pests to watch for in Sacramento, CA in May:

1. Japanese beetle: The Japanese beetle is a highly destructive insect that has been confirmed in Sacramento County ³. This pest can cause significant damage to plants by feeding on leaves, flowers and fruits.

2. Spotted wing drosophila: The spotted wing drosophila is a tiny fruit fly that damages mostly cherries in the Sacramento area ¹.

3. Bagrada bug: The Bagrada bug is an invasive stink bug that feeds on plants in the mustard family, including broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage ¹.

4. Asian citrus psyllid: The Asian citrus psyllid is an insect that damages citrus fruit and can transmit the deadly citrus disease Huanglongbing (HLB) or citrus greening ³.

5. Brown marmorated stink bug: The brown marmorated stink bug is an invasive stink bug that feeds on a wide range of fruits and vegetables ³.

6. Citrus leafminer: The citrus leafminer is a small moth whose larvae feed on the leaves of citrus trees ¹.

7. Leaffooted bug: The leaffooted bug is a large stink bug that feeds on fruits and vegetables ¹.

It's important to keep an eye out for these pests in your garden and take steps to control them if necessary. This can include using natural pest control methods such as companion planting or introducing beneficial insects that prey on these pests. You can also use non-toxic control measures such as handpicking large pests or spraying plants with soapy water to control aphids. It's also important to practice good garden hygiene by removing plant debris and keeping your garden tools clean to minimize the spread of pests and diseases.


Source: Conversation with Bing, 5/22/2023
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(3) Top 10 Best Pest Control in Sacramento, CA - May 2023 - Yelp. https://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=Pest+Control&find_loc=Sacramento%2C+CA.
(4) What bug is in my Sacramento home, and how do I prevent it? | The .... https://www.sacbee.com/news/local/article262202417.html.