Dig In: Garden checklist for week of Nov. 21

A persimmon tree shows off its fall colors. (Photos: Debbie Arrington)

Sunny, cool days make for good fall gardening weather

By Debbie Arrington

Sunny days and clear nights; that’s the Thanksgiving week forecast for Sacramento. After so many foggy days, expect several bright, crisp mornings and near-perfect fall afternoons – all great for gardening or other outdoor activities.

According to the National Weather Service, afternoon highs will be right about normal – in the low 60s. Without cloud cover, overnight lows will feel downright chilly, dipping down to 40 degrees on several nights.

This change in temperature will have an effect on our landscapes. Any deciduous trees that were holding onto their foliage will start dropping leaves in droves. Cold-sensitive plants such as begonias or tomatoes will shut down and die back.

Get ready for the holidays ahead with some seasonal TLC:

* Rake and compost leaves, but dispose of any diseased plant material.

* To help prevent leaf curl, apply a copper fungicide spray to peach and nectarine trees after they lose their leaves this month. Leaf curl, which shows up in the spring, is caused by a fungus that winters as spores on the limbs and around the tree in fallen leaves. Sprays are most effective now, but to work, they need several days of clear, dry weather – like this week.

* Give your azaleas, gardenias and camellias a boost with chelated iron.

Trim chrysanthemums back after they're finished blooming.

* After they bloom, chrysanthemums should be trimmed to 6 to 8 inches above the ground. If in pots, keep the mums in their containers until next spring. Then they can be planted in the ground, if desired, or repotted.

* Prune non-flowering trees and shrubs while dormant.

* Plant spring bulbs including daffodils, crocuses, hyacinths, tulips, anemones and scillas.

* Seed California wildflowers such as poppies, penstemon and lupine.

* Plant sweet pea, sweet alyssum and bachelor buttons.

* Trees and shrubs still can be planted now. This gives them plenty of time for root development before spring growth. They also benefit from fall and winter rains.

* Set out cool-weather annuals such as pansies and snapdragons.

* Lettuce, cabbage and broccoli also can be planted now.

* Plant garlic and onions.

* Harvest persimmons and pomegranates.