Is it too hot for February favorites?
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Jonquils in a container are particularly susceptible to drying heat. Make sure to water bulbs in pots. (Photo: Debbie Arrington)
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By Debbie Arrington
This dry, warm February feels good to people, but not so comfortable for winter-blooming plants.
Daffodils open one day, wilt and brown the next. Tulips topple over in the afternoon. Flowering pears shower white petals.
Camellias appear two weeks ahead of schedule. Saucer magnolias are almost over the top.
These unusual conditions are expected to continue several more days with record or near-record highs in the upper 70s. Starting Tuesday, Sacramento is expected to hit at least 75 degrees on three consecutive days.
February’s rain meter remains stuck on zero. According to the National Weather Service, Sacramento has never had a rainless February. The driest on record -- 1899 -- had 0.04 inches. (That was followed by a very wet March.)
While it may feel like we’ve jumped weeks ahead on the calendar, cooler conditions are expected to return next week. Forecasters predict some much-needed precipitation in early March.
During this warm weather, concentrate on making your plants comfortable:
* Check soil moisture and deep irrigate where needed.
* Turn on the sprinklers and evaluate coverage. Make adjustments as needed.
* Apply insulating mulch around shrubs and trees.
* Pick up fallen camellia blooms to cut down on spread of fungal disease.
* Hold off on planting summer favorites such as tomatoes and squash. Nights are still too cold for their root development.
This dry, warm February feels good to people, but not so comfortable for winter-blooming plants.
Daffodils open one day, wilt and brown the next. Tulips topple over in the afternoon. Flowering pears shower white petals.
Camellias appear two weeks ahead of schedule. Saucer magnolias are almost over the top.
These unusual conditions are expected to continue several more days with record or near-record highs in the upper 70s. Starting Tuesday, Sacramento is expected to hit at least 75 degrees on three consecutive days.
February’s rain meter remains stuck on zero. According to the National Weather Service, Sacramento has never had a rainless February. The driest on record -- 1899 -- had 0.04 inches. (That was followed by a very wet March.)
While it may feel like we’ve jumped weeks ahead on the calendar, cooler conditions are expected to return next week. Forecasters predict some much-needed precipitation in early March.
During this warm weather, concentrate on making your plants comfortable:
* Check soil moisture and deep irrigate where needed.
* Turn on the sprinklers and evaluate coverage. Make adjustments as needed.
* Apply insulating mulch around shrubs and trees.
* Pick up fallen camellia blooms to cut down on spread of fungal disease.
* Hold off on planting summer favorites such as tomatoes and squash. Nights are still too cold for their root development.
* Watch out for aphids; knock them off plants with a strong blast of water or insecticidal soap.
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