We continue to receive less rain than we should expect at this time of year. While we get a few showers now and then, we don’t get the actual rains that water the gardens, fill our tanks, and freshen our forest (see Drought Busted).
The other day, I took our stiffest tape measure up to the summer water tank and plunged it to the bottom. We appear to have 2 feet of water in a tank that holds 5 feet or so of water. I calculate we have less than 400 gallons left.
Our summer water tank (Photo: Mark A. Zeiger).
Continue reading 'Water Shuffle'»
A recent local news story shocked us: a weather expert told us that we are experiencing a drought.
Drought in a temperate rain forest doesn’t look like drought elsewhere. We haven’t had weeks or months of pounding heat or relentless sunshine. Generally, our weather has been colder and wetter than normal. April through June comprise our dry season; it’s easy to focus on them, and decide the year hasn’t been very dry, but in fact, it has. That has us concerned.
A welcome rainy day. The rhubarb is especially pleased (Photo: Mark A. Zeiger).
The garden should be getting an inch of rain daily at the moment. We can barely keep it watered. Usually, by now, we’ve switched to the summer water source, but we held off (see Fresh Water: Collecting and Conserving a Precious Resource). Now, there’s no new water coming into the summer water, nor can we hear anything coming into the winter tank.
So, Friday’s rain, gentle though it may be, was very welcome!
Continue reading '“Real” Rain'»
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