Dig In: Garden checklist for week of March 7

Look at all the new growth on this rose bush. It's a great time to fertilize roses

and annual flowers and berries as new growth appear. (Photo: Kathy Morrison)

Plenty to do between showers in late-winter garden

By Debbie Arrington

Keep your umbrella handy. After a fast-moving storm started our weekend, more showers may be on the way. That’s good news during this very dry winter.

According to the National Weather Service, Sacramento is likely to see rain and possible thunderstorms Tuesday with a slight chance of showers late Monday and Wednesday. But otherwise, our forecast calls for a return to springlike weather by Thursday. After a few days in below-normal 50s, afternoon temperatures will return to the high 60s by Friday. All week, low temperatures will flirt with 40 degrees (if not a little colder).

Those overnight lows are a reminder: It’s still winter! Don’t transplant tomatoes, peppers or other summer veggies outdoors yet; they’ll just sulk.

But there’s plenty to keep you busy outdoors between raindrops. For example:

* Fertilize roses, annual flowers and berries as spring growth begins to appear.

* If aphids are attracted to new growth, knock them off with a strong spray of water or insecticidal soap. To make your own “bug soap,” use 2 tablespoons liquid soap — not detergent — to 1 quart water in a spray bottle. Shake it up before use. Among the liquid soaps that seem most effective are Dr. Bronner’s Pure-Castile Soaps; try the peppermint scent.

* Pull weeds now! Don’t let them get started. Take a hoe and whack them as soon as they sprout.

* Start preparing vegetable beds. Spade in compost and other amendments.

* Cut back and fertilize perennial herbs to encourage new growth.

* 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.

* In the vegetable garden, transplant lettuce, broccoli, collards and kale. They’ll be ready for harvest in late May and early June.

* Seed chard and beets directly into the ground.

* This is your last chance to plant such spring annuals as pansies, violas and primroses.

* Plant summer bulbs, including gladiolus, tuberous begonias and callas. Also plant dahlia tubers.

* Harvest lettuce, Chinese cabbage, spinach and other greens before they form flower stalks.