Dig In: Garden checklist for week of Oct. 10

Perennials such as coneflowers can be planted now to get a good start in the still-

warm soil. (Photo: Kathy Morrison)

Windy start but cool temperatures make for good gardening

By Debbie Arrington

Still no rain, but we’ve got wind – and that’s not necessarily a good thing.

According to the National Weather Service, gusty winds up to 40 mph are forecast for the Central Valley and foothills through Tuesday night. Coupled with extremely dry conditions, those winds intensify fire danger.

Be extra careful while doing any work outside. A lawnmower or edger hitting a rock can cause a spark. If near dry grass or weeds, that little spark can rapidly become a full-blown wildfire, even in suburban areas.

Meanwhile, Sacramento temperatures will be on the cool side with afternoons in the high 60s or low 70s, says the weather service. Overnight lows will dip into the 40s.

That makes for very comfortable gardening weather – after the wind dies down.

* October is the best month to plant perennials in our area. Add a little well-aged compost and bone meal to the planting hole, but hold off on other fertilizers until spring. Keep the transplants well-watered (but not wet) for the first month as they become settled.

* This is also prime time to plant trees or shrubs.

* Dig up corms and tubers of gladioli, dahlias and tuberous begonias after the foliage dies. Clean and store in a cool, dry place.

* Treat azaleas, gardenias and camellias with chelated iron if leaves are yellowing between the veins.

* Clean up the summer vegetable garden and compost disease-free foliage.

* Harvest pumpkins and winter squash.

* Plant seeds for cornflowers, nasturtiums, nigella, poppies, portulaca, sweet peas and stock.

* Plant seeds for radishes, bok choy, mustard, spinach and peas.

* Plant garlic and onions.

* Set out cool-weather bedding plants, including calendula, pansies, snapdragons, primroses and violas.

* Reseed and feed the lawn. Consider reducing your lawn’s size to save water.