We got an unexpected rainstorm yesterday - for five minutes. My husband said the rain came down hard while it lasted but it wasn't loud enough to wake me (or the cat) and, by the time I got up, it was over.
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| Two one-hundredths of an inch admittedly isn't much but it's on par with what we've had with many of our so-called rainstorms this year. For reference, the rain year total of 4.10 inches was calculated from October 1, 2020. The historical average for the Los Angeles area is just under 15 inches, with the majority of that falling between November and April. |
The drought has been a bigger worry for me than the heat. Coastal California has generally been spared the extreme heat that has plagued the inland areas and, according to at least one source, that trend is forecast to continue. We weren't expecting any rain from the monsoonal conditions to the east either so I was unreasonably pleased to see we logged two one-hundredths of an inch. I don't have a way of accurately measuring how much of that rain we collected off our house and garage roofs; however, I estimate that my smallest (50-gallon) barrel went from empty to one-quarter full.
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| I filled this 2-gallon watering can four times to water potted plants and I'd guess I can get two more refills before the barrel is empty again. Presumably, my other two tanks, both larger, collected similar amounts. |
The rain was sufficient to clean the dust off leaves and freshen the air. Sometimes that's enough to get excited about, although I admit I remained vaguely hopeful we'd get another shower before the day was over. We didn't. Still, I'm counting us lucky that our morning marine layer has stuck with us into July.
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| View from the front door, the pavement almost dry again two hours after our very brief downpour |
Tomorrow is Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day. I'll have more colorful photos to share then. For more Wednesday Vignettes, visit Anna at Flutter & Hum.
All material © 2012-2021 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party
I'm sure the garden appreciated those 5 minutes of hard rain, even to just dust off the grime and add a little dampness throughout.
ReplyDeleteRain always spreads the moisture more evenly than our irrigation system can manage, or even this gardener and her hose.
DeleteWell that is exciting Kris ! Always exciting to get a bit of an unexpected shower in July.Our temps have been very nice since we had our c-note event last month-even some marine layer this week. Kind of jealous of your Haws watering can too-something I've wanted since I was a young gardener--no more Smith and Hawken though so where would one be found ? Maybe I should look.
ReplyDeleteAs I recall, Kathy, I found the Haws can online and gave the link to my husband with my Christmas list one year. It's definitely more expensive than most but it's the only can I have that hasn't quickly degraded or leaked. I was looking for a smaller (one gallon) version online yesterday and all the listings for cheaper lookalikes came with long lists of derogatory comments about leaks, ill-fitted roses, and chipping paint.
DeleteAs you said, every drop counts, and I'm sure the plants gratefully drank up every one.
ReplyDeleteMy husband said it came down hard and fast but I didn't see any sign of runoff so hopefully every drop was indeed absorbed :)
DeleteWe are in the middle of another heat dome coupled with wildfire smoke coming over the mountains from British Columbia. Every night I pray for a thunderstorm because as you said the garden appreciates every drop.
ReplyDeleteOh Elaine, it disturbs me greatly that you're struggling with heat and fire in Canada too. I've always considered (erroneously apparently) that Canada was relatively free of such issues. I'm sorry that's not true and I hope you get a thunderstorm soon!
DeleteHope you get some rain Kris. Wish I could send you some!
ReplyDeleteI wish you could too, Cathy!
DeleteYay for summer rain! I recently learned that someone I know in the Los Angles are is a drought-denier. "It's a made up problem!"... oh boy.
ReplyDeleteMade up?!!! He/she needs to get a rain meter, even a simple one would do. I can only imagine what else this person denying.
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