Dig In: Garden checklist for week of April 25

Orange blossoms are a good reminder to fertilize citrus trees now to help set fruit. (Photo: Kathy Morrison)

Soggy Sunday followed by plenty of tomato-planting weather

By Debbie Arrington

After record heat a week ago, April wraps up with a rapid cooldown – and a splash.

The high temperatures this weekend will be about 30 degrees lower than last Sunday, when Sacramento saw a record high of 91. Instead, this Sunday will be soggy – our first measurable rain since early March.

According to the National Weather Service, Sacramento can expect about a quarter-inch of rain Sunday – and that’s it for April. On average, Sacramento receives about 1.2 inches for this month.

Highs will be under 60 degrees Sunday, before quickly bouncing back into the 80s by Wednesday. We may see 90 degrees again Friday.

Meanwhile, overnight and soil temperatures have warmed enough to plant summer vegetables, just in time for Sacramento’s unofficial Tomato Planting Day – April 28.

* This week is your last chance to plant most summer bulbs, such as gladiolus and tuberous begonias.

* April also is the last chance to plant citrus trees such as dwarf orange, lemon and kumquat. These trees also look good in landscaping and provide fresh fruit in winter.

* Smell orange blossoms? Feed citrus trees with a low dose of balanced fertilizer (such as 10-10-10) during bloom to help set fruit. Keep an eye out for ants.

* Apply slow-release fertilizer to the lawn.

* Thoroughly clean debris from the bottom of outdoor ponds or fountains.

* Azaleas and camellias looking a little yellow? If leaves are turning yellow between the veins, give them a boost with chelated iron.

* Pinch chrysanthemums back to 12 inches for fall flowers. Cut old stems to the ground.

* Mulch around plants to conserve moisture and control weeds.

* Transplant tomatoes, peppers, eggplant and summer squash.

* From seed, plant beans, beets, carrots, corn, cucumbers, all melons, radishes and squash. Plant onion sets. Pumpkins can be planted starting this next weekend.

* In the flower garden, plant seeds for asters, cosmos, celosia, marigolds, salvia, sunflowers and zinnias.

* Transplant petunias, zinnias, geraniums and other summer bloomers.

* Plant perennials and dahlia tubers.