This is the time of year when I’m usually telling people (in the strongest terms) to turn their irrigation systems off. Problem is, we’ve had almost no rain this winter. Our rainfall total is far below normal. While the weather is warm, sunny, and beautiful for us humans, it isn’t so beautiful for plants. This is when low water plants in particular should be storing up to survive next summer when its dry. Without that winter water, they may not make it through the rest of the year.
So, as much as it pains me to say it, Turn the Water On. If you live along the coast where the weather is pretty mild, you probably don’t need to water more than once a week. Inland where its warmer and drier, water a bit more often. Either way, water for a long time each time. Water until you stick your finger in the soil and its wet all the way down – even further. Each time, water for the same amount of time, just change the frequency.
Though its February, we may still get some rain. Last time we went dry for this long was winter, 1991. I remember the day the skies opened up. It was March 20th, and my water broke (literally) at 4 in the morning. After a Madd Hatter ride in the pouring rain to the hospital, my son, Asher was born at 9:30 am. I’ll never forget what they called “The March Miracle.” It was a rainfall miracle for the weathermen and a “welcome to parenthood” miracle for my husband and me.
