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How 'normal' is current water year for Sacramento, NorCal?

Rain totals add up to something rare for area

The "normal" rainfall we had this year was well-timed, producing abundant blooms on many plants this spring, including this pink and white pelargonium (often called geranium).

The "normal" rainfall we had this year was well-timed, producing abundant blooms on many plants this spring, including this pink and white pelargonium (often called geranium). Kathy Morrison

How would you describe Sacramento’s “water year” so far? According to the rain totals, we had a very wet winter; the rest of the time, not so much. In other words, our rain picture is finally “normal.”

Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start of summer, which makes this a good time to catch up on our water picture.

The good news? Sacramento (and Northern California overall) had enough big storms this winter to refill reservoirs and boost our overall soil moisture. On May 22, Folsom Lake – the main reservoir serving the greater Sacramento area – was at 95% of capacity and 120% of its historical average on that date.

As gardeners, we saw the results in our landscapes this spring, with abundant blooms and heavy fruit set on trees.

After an above-average April and thunderstorms in early May, Sacramento has totaled 17.60 inches for the current water year, which started Oct. 1. Average for that period: 17.60 inches.

So, according to the National Weather Service, our current water picture couldn’t be more normal. And after recent prolonged droughts, normal feels just right.

How normal are our rain totals right now? Take the current month of May as an example. In Sacramento, its rain total – 0.57 inches – all fell on one day (May 4). Historically, the entire month of May in Sacramento averages 0.57 inches, says the weather service.

There’s little to no chance we’ll see any more precipitation this month, says the weather service, which estimates the probability of rain at “0%” through May 31.

While temperatures will dip into the 70s leading into the long Memorial Day weekend, seasonal heat is coming soon, adds the weather service. A high of 87 is forecast for Monday, Memorial Day, followed by several days in the low 90s (or close to it).

Summer really is right around the corner.

For more on Sacramento weather: https://www.weather.gov/sto/#.

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Garden Checklist for week of Feb. 9

Be careful walking or working in wet soil; it compacts easily.

* Keep the irrigation turned off; the ground is plenty wet with more rain on the way.

* February serves as a wake-up call to gardeners. This month, you can transplant or direct-seed several flowers, including snapdragon, candytuft, lilies, astilbe, larkspur, Shasta and painted daisies, stocks, bleeding heart and coral bells.

* In the vegetable garden, plant Jerusalem artichoke tubers, and strawberry and rhubarb roots.

* Transplant cabbage and its close cousins – broccoli, kale and cauliflower – as well as lettuce (both loose leaf and head).

* Indoors, start peppers, tomatoes and eggplant from seed.

* Plant artichokes, asparagus and horseradish from root divisions.

* Plant potatoes from tubers and onions from sets (small bulbs). The onions will sprout quickly and can be used as green onions in March.

* From seed, plant beets, chard, lettuce, mustard, peas, radishes and turnips.

* Annuals are showing up in nurseries, but wait until the weather warms up a bit before planting. Instead, set out flowering perennials such as columbine and delphinium.

* Plant summer-flowering bulbs including cannas, calla lilies and gladiolus.

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