This rain shortage is really a big issue for our nation as a whole.  Our politicians need to plan a way to protect our agriculture in Ca.  I like Hershell's idea though.  Its like having a huge rain barrel!

It definitely falls under the category "national security issue".

It definitely falls under the category "national security issue". 
__________________
Arne

It should Arne.  Imagine all the people needing food stamps if cheap California produce were no longer available for the rest of our country.

BTW If memory serves, I believe I heard a report that some $120,000,000,000.00 (over 10 years) was recently cut from the Food Stamp Program.  

That's good, so the underprivileged 0.2% can leave over $10,000,000.00 to their inheritors tax free.  

Let the aristocracy begin!

Cheers,
Tim Zone 10a

50% chance of .03" of rain this week! Be still my heart!

Sue.
I remember when I was young, carefree, and dared to curse the rain.   oh sweet regret!   

Oh BTW Sue, you kindly sent me 5 "saratoga" cuttings and I'm pretty sure one of them is not Saratoga.  What fun!  It has completely different leaf structure and I can't wait to see the surprise figs it will make.

Thanks comrade!

Tim  Zone 10a

Sue, that sounds like the 0.00" from the last so-called rainstorm.

Tim,
I only have the saratoga aka chico strawberry cuttings so it would be a miracle if the one was not saratoga. I don't know how that could have happened but c'est la vie!
Those that requested cuttings towards the end of my offer got a few more than the 3 advertised as they were smaller in diameter. First come got the big, juicy cuttings. Those that came later got thinner but more cuttings to try to make up the difference. So far, no complaints. :-) I still have a couple hundred in the refer and I've started 20 trees...
Sue

I use intellicast.  That hourly thing.  We might just get o.o3 inches of rain.  BUT, Svanessa AKA Sue, I did buy some Statice seeds.  Your plants are amazing, and I think tomorrow, I'll just go spread the things and with the rain, one or two might germinate.  And there is this Lyrid Meteor Shower tonight, but go figure.  Cloud cover.

Suzi

Santa Barbara weatherman says there's another storm coming from Alaska and maybe...  Go baby go!

Sue all 5 cuttings are each happily growing in 1 gallon pots.  I'll keep you posted if something metaphysical happens from the 5th.
Every time I see them, I think of your generosity.

Suzi I'm sorry, but I got an impression from the Hubbel Space Telescope site, on youtube, that the best time to see that meteor shower was the wee hours of this morning.

Procrastination is a good thing I think.  It's raining now, and yesterday we carefully planted those tiny statice seeds all over our mountain.  The instructions said 1/16" deep, so we just laid them on some dry dirt with a fork in the ground to mark where we put each one, pinched a little dry soil on top and gave them a spray of water from a water bottle.  I was prepared to go out this morning and spray all the forks, but no need.  It's a nice light rain.  Hope it doesn't wash them away from their markers!  I also hope you all get some of this nice rain too!

Suzi

Woo Hoo......... we received a little over 0.30 inches of rain last night.   Maybe a wee bit more before this front heads east.    God willing........!

I think it's over now, but it was a light off and on rain all day long.  I like it that way because it wasn't a torrent that washes all the seeds away.  It was gentle enough to break the dry crust and allow the water to penetrate the soil.  I know, not a lot of penetration, but I am thankful!

Suzi

Pardon my East coast ignorance, I've heard a lot about cut back of water for lawns... but can suburban gardeners still water their fruit and veggie gardens in most areas of CA pretty freely? Is it turning more expensive?

Persianmd2orchard, it's too early to say. 

The wheels of government regulation take time to turn.  Each county is in charge of informing it's water customers of cutbacks.  Last year, prior to the governor's edict, our county cut us all back to watering on certain days depending on your address.  From what I understand it applies more to water being wasted on lawns and sidewalks, etc.  A lot of those in suburbia prioritize which trees get water and many have converted to drought loving plants.  Each individual will have to decide to use or not to use water for fruit trees.  Many save rain and gray water for irrigation purposes.

Our home is in the agricultural water district and is not in a city or town, but they cut us back last year, and may do so again soon.  Time will tell.  The drip system works for us because we can regulate days and timing.  HOWEVER, leaks happen.  Just last week, I was on the walkie talkie (necessary for the size of the property we own), and I paged JD!  "WE ARE WATERING THE DRIVEWAY!!!!"  You have to be out there when the water is on to see these things happen.  It's all fixed now.

Thanks for your concern.  People in the central valleys of California have it much worse than where we are.  Entire orchards have dried up and died there.  Very sad.

Suzi

I believe the consensus is to cut the water usage by 5-36% percent depending on a city and a household. If you achieve that level of reduction , I hope it should be fine to water whatever else you grow especially with a watering can or a drip line.
I think different cities will issue different regulations and fine schedules and what you can and cannot do would depend on that.

persianmd2orchard  For me you're right, water is now much more expensive in Santa Barbara, especially if your use is a bit above average.  Ground cover in my front yard is converted to ivy and paving stone. I take very water-miserly showers... Personally, I feel a bit self righteous about spending some water to grow food.  Still, I try to take every opportunity to maximize every rain that does occur, see message #33 this thread.

So pleased Suzi and Jack got a little taste this last "storm;" Santa Barbara was in a rain shadow, but maybe today...

Think happy thoughts!

Tim Zone 10a

I'm pulling out my fire hose (see entry #33).   It's raining in Northern California and Santa Barbara has shot at it.  Here's wishing the best of luck to our friends to the south.

Go Baby Go!

Tim Zone 10a

Its been pouring for hours!  Just noticed the birds don't chirp in the rain.  I'm pretty chirpy today!  Wishing all of California and other drought areas a nice rainy day!

Suzi

Hope you all get a big rain soon! Fingers crossed!

Latest:

With the state of California mired in its fourth year of drought and a mandatory 25 percent reduction in water usage in place, reports of water theft have become common.

In April, The Associated Press reported that huge amounts of water went missing from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and a state investigation was launched. The delta is a vital body of water, serving 23 million Californians as well as millions of farm acres, according to the Association for California Water Agencies.

Well that sucks!  How are they getting away with this?  Where is big brother?

Rain is expected again on Friday, but for one day and not enough to help the drought.

Suzi

Stealing water is nothing new in CA. Nestle Corp., a SWISS company, has 5 bottled water plants in CA, taking millions of gallons of our water, and selling it around the world. One of their plants, in the San Bernadino Forest, bottles water from a spring. Millions of gallons. The permit was issued by the US Forestry Service. Of course, it EXPIRED 27 years ago. So, for 27 years, they've been stealing water.
Nestle lost a battle with the residents of McCloud, CA., as they wanted to bottle the pristine water from Mt. Shasta. That water is the headwaters of the Sacramento River, which supplies much of the state. It was a long, legal battle, but their permit was denied. One of the reasons I left the Monterey Peninsula, was the cost of water. I had clients whose water bills were in the hundreds to thousands of dollars per month. Some of these properties were not that large. Cal-American Water controls most of the water on the peninsula. They are owned by a German Corporation. Many homes in Carmel are 2nd or 3rd homes, and vacant much of the year. Constant problem was nearby, full time residents running long hoses from someone else's faucet to do their irrigation. Stealing water will only increase.

Is there a noticeable number of people leaving the state due to the water issues/cost? Similarly, I live in NJ, where property taxes are high. We're always seeing stats about the number of people who leave (likely for that reason) versus the number of new people coming in. Of course, it isn't always easy to tell with numbers what exactly people are doing in life, but there is definitely some correlation. It'd be interesting to know if CA's water issues are causing a shift in where people choose to live.

Arne, the short answer is …. NO.  At least if traffic on all freeways in So Call is any indication.  And, recent census trends are correct…   Golden state population trends | first tuesday Journal   I'm sure it is way too early to know the real impact, but seems like strength in California economy may be offsetting losses from long drought.  So far Anyway!  

Although we seem to have been guilty of timely reaction to this drought, it is now front  page fodder on all media and public awareness is high.  People are coming around (finally) to the realities, water provider enforcing usage, so there is hope we survive until the next rains.   Interestingly, it is actually a badge of honor to have a brown lawn now and landscapers are working 7/24 installing drought tolerant plantings.  Succulent planting are all the new rage

Arne, I'm not sure how noticeable it is, but I do think some leave due to water scarcity and cost. Everything in CA is expensive, though. When you love to garden, as we all do, you want a great climate and plenty of water. The climate we have. I've known several people who've moved north to Oregon and Washington, but nowhere is perfect.