Our rain barrels are empty :|

[2curlydogs]

We've not had any measurable rainfall in, uh, I can't remember. Days. Maybe weeks. It seems like it just goes around us (like, Monday I was driving to work and it started pouring just north of the county line. WTMF?!).

In the entire month of June we've only had 1" of rain.

We're also in an excessive heat wave. Today's high is supposed to be 100º with a heat index around 115º. In July. In WISCONSIN. There isn't even the usual lake breeze to cool things down - wind's out of the fucking southwest!

We're not in an extreme drought yet but the 10 day forecast has pretty much no significant rainfall predicted either.

My poor garden.

[FoxInFiji]

I hear you! At least you have the lake effect rain. We had 1/4" for the month of June over hear in Madison and the last big storm we had was mid-May. Everything is crispy and I've lost a few plants despite attempting to water everything every other day. I've been watering everything by hand so I use less water. Plus our hose hookup in the back is in the most inconvenient location so I have to do everything by watering can back there (someday we're adding a second hose bib out there). Our ponds are super low...the lowest we've ever seen with +4' of muddy bank showing. The turtles and frogs must be on top of each other in there!

No one is watering their lawns so everywhere you look it's brown. But it sounds like I should set the sprinklers out soon because I got this info in a gardening e-newsletter:

It is a good idea to let your lawn go dormant in dry and drought conditions. However, you might have to water it a little to keep it healthy. According to Iowa State University Extension's "Horticulture and Home Pest News," "After 4 to 6 weeks of dry conditions, dormant turf should be watered to prevent possible drought damage. Apply 1/2 to 3/4 inches of water in one thorough irrigation. This amount of water will not cause the turf to green up but will provide moisture to help the crown and root system survive. If the dry weather persists, water dormant turf with 1/2 to 3/4 inches of water every two weeks. Following the onset of favorable moisture conditions, either through rainfall or irrigation, the turf will develop new leaves and begin to grow actively."

[2curlydogs]

Yeah, the 1" of rain in June is the average for SE WI. I'm honestly not sure what we've specifically gotten. H is bad about emptying the rain gauge and not telling me. I went to the Climatology office website: www.aos.wisc.edu/~sco/clim-watch/index.html

We spent the last of the rainwater on our trees. Haven't had to water them since the year they were planted but they were looking pretty sad.

I'm trying to balance out watering things vs. the drought. That's good to know about the lawn though. We'll probably start after we're back from vacation. Fortunately I can have my nephew come while we're gone to rotate the sprinkler between the veggie garden and some flower beds....

[wineenthusiast]

I'm in IL and we are experience the same thing. My water bill is thru the roof but I spent so much money on new perennials for a new garden this year I cant just let them all die. My vegetable garden is pretty small but still requires a decent amount of water. I never thought I'd be wishing for rain! I do wish I would've had a rain barrel out in the early spring because we did get a lot of rain in April and at least it would of helped a little.

[mrsreynolds4]

At first I didn't realize your title was literal. We can't have rain barrels here.

I am a little scared at what our water bill will be. Besides the fairly large vegetable garden, I put in probably 40 plants or so in several different areas. I'm even watering our established trees some because it's been so hot & dry.