By August we may have only glass flowers.
We need RAIN!
Wednesday, May 13, 2015
We Need Rain!
The sky has been heavy with clouds this week, but very little rain had actually fallen. Last night's big storm amounted to one tenth of an inch, not even enough to thoroughly wet down the patio under the cedar tree.
You have probably heard about California's drought, but did you know about our drought here in Washington State?
Twenty-four of Washington's river basins are in a declared drought emergency.
Our mountain snow pack is now at 16% of normal. The mountains are our natural reservoirs, holding the water we use for irrigation and hydroelectric power and drinking water. Most crops grown in this state are irrigated.
After our mild, snowless winter, the spring has been much warmer and dryer too.
By July and August, our normally rainless months, we will be hurting. All these pretty pictures may be just memories.
While it continues to spit a few sprinkles outside today, there is no measurable accumulation.
Watering cans and hoses may be used just to keep precious plants alive.
I hope that is not the case. Our garden is precious to us. But if the choice is between drinking and flushing or having a green lawn, then the choice is clear. Brown it will be.
We need RAIN!
We need RAIN!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I am so glad to read this. I think the media are making too much of the California drought. It happens elsewhere as well. All the time. Thank you for giving a more even, more realistic point of view.
ReplyDeleteMy friends 3/4 acre lot in California is brown because of the drought. Thank god it rains here in Hawaii.
ReplyDeleteFlushing is overrated and toilets are the largest water users so we should all dig deep holes and build outhouses. Think of all the water we'll save and how much natural fertilizer we'll create.
ReplyDeleteI hadn't realised there was a drought in California, lets hope for rain and lots of it for you.
ReplyDeleteYikes! something is really out of whack in the world when Washington State is crying for rain. There seems to be an epic draught in the west and it makes me nervous.
ReplyDeleteYes, we have been short of rain here, too, although often we have different weather than Seattle. Right now it's sprinkling lightly. Let's hope for a gully washer! :-)
ReplyDeleteLiving in CA...I was just brought on a team at work to coordinate our drought-compliance project work. It won't be easy to cut the mandated 35% water consumption that most CA cities are asking. (or the water districts, I should more accurately state.) But I am very passionate about the cause.
ReplyDeleteGood luck!
I do hope you get some moisture. Your area requires a huge amount of rain. Our average yearly moisture amounts to 12 in. Most of it comes in May, June, July and that's all we need. We grow crops that will produce with that amount of moisture. So get out there and do your rain dance!
ReplyDeleteWe don't water anything. Oh we put out water for the birds in the birdbath. The Perennials have roots that will go deep for water and the Wildflowers will survive or not. Minnesota has harsh weather. We are in a drought also. It is raining here finally and the lawn is turning green and growing but this moisture is not enough for the trees or to catch us up with rainfall.
ReplyDeleteDo a rain dance:)
there was a photo in our local papers of Los Angeles LDS temple with brown lawn and no flowers...it's a possibility for all of us...
ReplyDeleteOh no, I didn't know that. I hope you get the rain you need... Michelle
ReplyDeleteAnd yet it looked like you were having a lot of rain when we were there and everyone's gardens looked lush and green. It was deceiving, I guess.
ReplyDeleteI was not aware the drought went so far north. These are trying times for the west coast and I hope it breaks soon.
ReplyDeleteI'd heard so much about California's drought but did not realize Wasghington is in the same predicament. Hope the rains come soon!
ReplyDeleteI wish I could send you a bit of our moisture. It's snowing/sleeting as I write this. I have a blog friend who lives in WA and she posted about the lack of mountain snow this year. Our spring has been very wet in CO. I'm glad because forest fires are a real threat to us. Good luck with your beautiful gardens.
ReplyDeleteIt's been surprising with a series of gloomy days when it SEEMED like it was wet, that everything is drying out and needing water. I saw where the governor issued a drought warning for the entire state and there is already a fire reported in Eastern WA.
ReplyDelete