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Rain? What rain? We're still in dry year


Yes, we've had some rain this month, but less than normal. (Photo: Kathy Morrison)

Could we be inching towards another drought?



No March miracle for Sacramento this year; we’re still dry.

Although March had some rain, it didn’t add up to that much: 1.68 inches total for the month. “Normal” for March is 3.02 inches, according to the National Weather Service.

That sub-par March followed a bone-dry February, the first Sacramento February in recorded weather history with no precipitation at all.

So, where does that put us on the rain scale? We could be inching towards another drought.

According to the NWS, Sacramento’s rain total since Oct. 1 – the start of our rain year – is only 7.71 inches. That’s less than half of our average to date – 16.08 inches. Last year (which was a wet one), we had received 20.31 inches by the end of March.

That soggy 2019 will help get us through this dry 2020. Our reservoirs are in good shape, which likely will stave off irrigation restrictions and other drought precautions.

But your garden may need some deep watering – especially large trees and shrubs.

Keep an eye on soil moisture. Check your landscape for dry spots. If you can’t plunge a long screwdriver or similar tool at least 6 inches into the ground, give those nearby plants a long, slow drink.

Will spring showers make up for that rain shortfall? It’s unlikely. Historically, Sacramento’s April, May and June average 2 inches of rain combined.

Get water-saving tips and more:
https://bewatersmart.info .

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Garden Checklist for week of May 5

Survey your garden after the May 4 rainstorm. Heavy rain and gusty winds can break the neck of large flowers such as roses. Also:

* Keep an eye on new transplants or seedlings; they could take a pounding from the rain.

* Watch out for powdery mildew. Warmth following moist conditions can cause this fungal disease to “bloom,” too. If you see a leaf that looks like it’s dusted with powdered sugar, snip it off.

* After the storm, start setting out tomato transplants, but wait on the peppers and eggplants (they want warmer nights). Pinch off any flowers on new transplants to make them concentrate on establishing roots instead of setting premature fruit.

* Trim dead flowers but not leaves from spring-flowering bulbs such as daffodils and tulips. Those leaves gather energy to create next year's flowers. Also, give the bulbs a fertilizer boost after bloom.

* Pinch chrysanthemums back to 12 inches for fall flowers. Cut old stems to the ground.

* Mulch around plants to conserve moisture and control weeds.

* From seed, plant beans, beets, cantaloupes, carrots, corn, cucumbers, melons, pumpkins, radishes and squash.

* Plant onion sets.

* In the flower garden, plant seeds for asters, cosmos, celosia, marigolds, salvia, sunflowers and zinnias. Transplant petunias, zinnias, geraniums and other summer bloomers.

* Plant perennials and dahlia tubers for summer bloom.

* Don’t wait; plant summer bulbs, such as gladiolus and tuberous begonias.

* Harvest cabbage, lettuce, peas and green onions.

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