i was hoping so much that i wouldn't see too much rain this yr, but it's already turning into wet yr with multiple rain per week. i know, i should be happy that it's raining nicely here when there are others who're experiencing drought condition. but, dang it.. it's not doing me any favor as far as figs are concerned. i would be happy with one rainy day a week. not 4-5 days... 

I'm going to try using covers on my SIPs this year to help with water control.  Is this an option for you?

You guys are so damn lucky! We have a state of emergency in California because of a drought. In the past 4 months we had 2 5-min rains. My city is considering a water rationing. Basically there will be very limited amount of water for plant irrigation

if California has no water, why people waste so much? Every time I am in SF, I see them washing sidewalks, just running water for no reason as people are walking and they can spray people, so they aim the hose at the streets.. the chain of hotels, every one I stayed in wasting, dripping faucets, leaking old ancient toilets, without mentioning those people who run the faucet open and simply walk out of the room... awful. 

I do my share of conservation, rain capture, even have a bucket inside my shower stall to collect some of the to to to waste, to help with flushing and pre cleaning the bathroom.  I am considering puting a bypass so that shower and sinks can be collected, pass though some grasses and used for watering flowers or trees.

What are you doing to reduce the water usage?

drought sucks. we had couple number of yrs ago. which killed all my grass, and i didn't bother bring them back. no watering plants, no washing cars. they suggest taking quick shower instead of bath, not using dishwasher.. and so on. i think it's bad both way, too much rain or no rain at all. but i guess asking for a perfect condition is too much to ask. lol

Well, just so you know, you can find dozens of unknown fig trees on golf courses!!  Also, most golf courses use recycled water.  Not all, but most.  The California dessert is becoming more humid due to all the golf course sprinklers!  My grape vines got powdery mildew because of it!  Dry weather grapes do not like humidity!  But also, the Coachella Valley, is 35' below sea level, and the water table is high.  Most plants don't have far to go to get their roots wet. Life on the golf course is gone for us, and we are happy to be living in an agricultural area now.

Grassa, come to my town!  It's so dry in the valley, there are almost no lawns!  And if there are, they are dead.  People here park their dying cars on their dead lawns everywhere (Evidently they live in their garages... I did think the garage was for cars..).  Water is very expensive in the town and I'd actually love to see someone use a hose.  We are in the agricultural zone, so our water is much less expensive.  There is some snow on the big mountains from this weekend's storm, but not much!  The Garden Web California forum has a couple drought threads.  Suggestions are to capture the cold water in the shower and sink while waiting for the hot to kick in, and of course to use the gray water.  Lots of ideas there.

Our snow capped mountains suffered extensive fires from the dry brush last season, and even recently.  The lack of rain is a blessing in one respect.  When the brush burns off, floods and landslides result when it rains.  If the fire didn't get you, the flood surely will.

Wherever we are, we plant according to our climate and zone.  It's upsetting to all when the weather pattern cycles into a change that upsets the balance.  California has been through water rationing before, so it's bound to happen again. 

Sorry about your rain, Pete!

Suzi

We had a few years, where the City of Seattle ordered no lawn to be watered and were fining people, but they turn their springlers on tiny strips of poor planted trees in the middle of streets...their sprinklers watered the passing cars just fine... It has to be a cojoint and educational effort to help people understand how valuable it is and without it our plants and food source won't make.

We are in another cold spell, temp last night 24F.. we are to get in our teens in next days.. ouch.

Well Pete your area rain our area snow.
Another 6+ expected to start this eve.

It seems like it has been really rainy here in Arkansas, but actually we are -2 inches for the year already! Just show how perceptions may or may not fit reality.

I'll trade your rain for 9 inches of heavy show yesterday and 2-4 inches of snow/sleet/ice tonight.

Please.

Take it.

I think (check your local codes) watering food producing plants is allowed, even when other watering is prohibited.

I found out last week it is against the law to capture rainwater in Colorado. Note is it permissible to use Getty water for irrigation purposes.