| BARE-ROOT: We're nearing then end of bare-root season.You might still be able to find some bare-root bargains, but many nurseries will be potting up their remainders. Plant your bare-root purchases as soon as possible. |
| IN THE NURSERIES: Check nurseries this month for a wide selection of blooming lilacs, deciduous magnolias and camellias. Look for low-chill lilac varieties like 'Lavender Lady' that bloom well even in mild climates. |
| SEEDS: Start seeds of summer vegetables and annuals indoors. Many seeds can be started indoors now (see seed package for best planting dates). Don't have a greenhouse for starting seeds? Use a domed seed-starting kit like the one pictured at left. Summer bulbs are starting to show up in stores. For an even wider selection, try mail-order. |
| BULBS: Plant summer-flowering bulbs (and tubers) like dahlias, canna, lilies, tuberous begonias, sparaxis, watsonia, gladiolus, ranunculus and allium, which should be well-stocked by most nurseries and mail order companies. |
| ANNUALS: Last chance to plant cool-season annuals for instant color. Look for pansies, primrose, Iceland poppies, ornamental kale, forget-me-nots, snapdragon, sweet peas, stock and more. These should add color through early spring. But you might be better off waiting until warm-season color like petunias and marigolds start showing up in stores. Planted in early spring, many warm-season annuals (i.e. summer color) will last for several months, especially if deadheaded regularly. |
| PERENNIALS: Plant hardy perennials like: alstroemeria, catmint, coral bells, scabiosa and more. Lots of fun stuff at the nursery to try... |
VEGETABLES:
Plant
beets, brussel sprouts, carrots,
chard, sweet corn (repeat plantings), leeks,
lettuce, bulb onions, white
potatoes, & radish. Want to know which veggie
seeds you can start indoors now? |
LANDSCAPE
TREES: While
not the ideal time (early fall is ideal), you can still plant
landscape trees, weather permitting. Visit the Sacramento
Tree Foundation's website for the lowdown on Sacramento area
trees. Also see my
picks and the City
of Sacramento's Tree Planting Guide.
If you're a SMUD
customer, you may qualify for free shade trees! Click here
to see what trees are being offered the Sacramento
Shade Program and how to get them. |