Early Sacramento heat wave reminder to prepare inside and outside of your home for spring

Sacramento-area residents faced warmer than usual weather this past week, with highs 15 degrees above normal for early spring.

Temperatures in downtown last Tuesday swelled to 82 degrees — the warmest the city has been since 1915. And an 83-degree high Wednesday broke a daily record from 1997 by 3 degrees.

These recent highs resemble temperatures that usually don’t take place until early June in Sacramento. But temperatures are cooling and forecasts predict Sacramento will have a 90% chance of rain Monday with a high of 63 — more typical of early spring weather for the area.

However, the early-onset heat wave can serve as a reminder for Sacramentans to start preparing their homes for warmer temperatures. Here’s how to do that, according to house cleaning service company The Maids:

• If you haven’t already done so, now’s the time to check that your AC or other central cooling systems are up to date and function properly. An easy way to do so is by changing your air filter, especially if it looks visibly dirty.

• Clean gutters and check for damage on your roof to prepare for spring showers.

• Minimize the risk of ant, spider and other insect infestations by sealing cracks around your home. Consider planting or purchasing these plants that ward off pests: lavender, lemongrass, mint, thyme, rosemary.

Monday’s spring showers could bring May flowers. The dawn of spring also means it’s time to prepare your garden before planting this season.

Here are some tips from California.com on how to prepare soil for a successful planting season.

• First, clean your gardening tools for an easier prep process.

• Clear out debris from your garden so that you’re only left with bare soil ready for planting. Use the leftover dead plants for compost.

• Eliminate weeds and take them out by the roots so there’s no chance of them resprouting soon.

• Prune your garden. Trimming away stubs and removing dead branches from plants helps promote their natural shape and creates room for new growth.

• Conduct a pH and nutrient test on your soil to determine what materials you can add to improve its quality. If dry and clay-like, consider adding a layer of compost.

• Apply a layer of mulch wherever you can to your garden. Not only does it prevent weed growth, but it also helps soil retain its moisture — especially necessary given the state’s historic dry conditions these past two months.

This story was originally published March 28, 2022 at 5:00 AM.