Congrats greg! Im glad you finally got some rain! We did get some rain but not really a lot, not enough to keep the plants happy for more than a day at best. Im amazed at how some of these storms missed us only by 2 miles or so. But Im glad we got some rain, I was just hoping for a lot more, and maybe an intense thunderstorm to keep me busy! We did see lots of flashes of thunder here from neighboring storms, especially at night (Im pretty sure you would consider it heat lightning), but the downpours stayed away from us! Hopefully some more rain in the forecast although I dont see any days that really look like a good rain is likely. But Im sure the reserviors got filled up a little so at least the whole area has more water to water their plants with!
Good luck!!
-Alex

Same here Greg and TZ, maybe 1/4 inch but it's probably evaporated by now--maybe 90 and moderate humidity today. Today was my watering day--so I did. I saw that line come through on radar--one batch of storms headed north of me, and another batch, south of me (maybe NYC/NJ Metro Area's heat island diverting storms). (We are supposed to get a real coastal storm Wednesday night/Thursday.) Seems like we have had a humid Mediterranean climate this year (wet, stormy, relatively mild Winter, and hot/ARID (but humid) summer. Still, the trees look reasonably okay around me. I drove down to Philly this past weekend, and the trees in the suburbs look yellowish and faded. Those leaves will be dropping soon due to the drought.--Happy Autumn I guess.:(

TZ, that's how it was here for hours. Lots of flashing lightning. I am glad you had some rain. So far the forecast looks pretty dry to me as well. I notice that changes fast usually. HD has rain gauges for a few dollars and they are worth it. The reserviors are doing well I would guess with so many storms moving to the north of us...lol. I can hardly wait for my palms to get a little bigger. My fig bush turned into a tree this year and I am getting a quart of figs a day. Its about 12 feet. Do you like figs?

NJOasis, I hope that coastal storm gets us this time around:) Apparently we have a "thermal dome" extending into the atmosphere that drys 3 out of 4 T-storms in my section of Brooklyn and drys out a percentage of storms over the city and surrounding areas. Tropical and winter storms moving along the coast seem to hit us without drying out I notice. That Mediterranean climate is helping my grapes and figs produce abundantly this year. Do you grow any fruit? I use the smaller purple fig variety (which is still a good size)that ripen faster since we're zone 7A. The large purple or even the white figs really want a warmer zone I notice.

I love fig trees, but I dont like to eat figs too much. I think Im going to grow a fig tree maybe next year because they are so available in the nurseries and I see some huge ones here (one thats near me is so loaded with fruit, it must have 100s and 100s of figs on it!). I love the leaves and just the fact that its a ficus that can survive the winter. Do you protect your figs in anyway? Most of the figs here are completely unprotected but I still see a few figs that are wrapped for the winter. Surprisingly, those dont look nearly as good as the ones that are unprotected! And they love the dry and hot summer this year. Its a great year for Mediterranean plants.
I find it really interesting how so many storms dry up when they reach our area. Usually the big storms are to the northwest or north but this year areas south of the city has been getting a good share of storms too. But the city once again is missed probably 80% of the time!

Hey Greg,

I'm so glad you all had a good soaking rain today!!!

Only wish that I could take the credit!!! LOL...But we all know who really deserves the credit... Mother Nature of course!!! as well as the big guy upstairs!!!

We did receive a great shower this afternoon...so I quickly put out my rain barrals and placed them under the eaves. Within 15 minutes or so they were full...so of course I had to grab a few (6) of my five gallon buckets to fillup as well...The only problem was that the showers were so off ond on that I had to stay on the rain collection duty...Yes, I was completely soaked...Only plant lovers would do this for them right? I know that my neighbors wonder what I'm up to sometimes...but it's good for them to keep them guessing!!! LOL...Now I have collected in a matter of 45 minutes...70 gallons of rainwater. I guess it was worth getting drenched for that amount of water!!!

It will be gone in a couple of days with this intense heat we are having...but I loved doing it today...I felt like a kid again!!!

Hope that the storms that are forcasted for tommorow will reach you again...Put out those barrals!!! I'll be waiting to hear if you collected any amounts Greg!!! :)

How are your Hardy Hibiscus doing? The Agaves?

Enjoy the rest of your summer...

Take care everyone!!!

Laura in VB

I collect rain water as well in a 50 gallon barrel. I attached a flexible down-spout hose from the gutter to the barrel. I bought it from Lowes or HD to catch the water. It fills up fast during storms. I have it on milk-crates to have it slightly elevated so I can let water out of a whole in the bottom I drilled out and close with a rag. My wife always tells me to install an off/on valve and I really need to do that to make it easier. Does anyone have an other method to suggest?

Hi Laura, can you leave the barrels by the downspout? The plants are doing well. The Hardy Hibiscus, oleander & Agaves are growing fast.

Hey Greg,

My Hubby took down the gutters several years ago to prevent the wood from rotting...I wish they were still up because it would be so much easier to collect..but I make due with putting them in a certain area that has a great run off from the roof. It really is kind of "old fashion".. but it works!!! I envy those who have the new collection methods!!!
This way it keeps my back healthy!!! LOL....

Jim had posted a few months ago a house that had the gutters all hooked up to collection barrels..that was really a great set up. I took his advice about the rubber trash cans and have been very happy with them. I keep one ready with fertilizer and the other for normal watering.

The plants really seem to thrive with the rain water...

We just had another line of thunderstorms pass thru with a large amount of rain...wish I had more barrels!!! LOL..
I think my hubby would have a few things to say if I had any more pots/barrels/etc/outside...

Glad to hear the plants are doing well!!!

Take care everyone...

Laura in VB

Thanks Laura and be please careful with your back. Replacing rotting wood every 10 years is better than hurting your back and will save hubby money in the long run.

Hi TZ, Fig trees do seem special I agree. In winter, I cover mine with loose plastic just to cut the wind off of them. Even when it blew off on a 12 degree day two winters back it survived fine. About every 13 years they die back to the ground in a really bad winter. But then they grow back furiously. I noted that about my neighbors fig tree.

Since Adam and Eve hid behind fig leaves after they sinned, I think its safe to say even the Garden of Eden had fig trees for food. If you plant a fig tree, it might as well be one that fruits well in out climate. I would send you a branch you can try to root if you like to a PO box. If not I would recommend the small purple figs and give them a try after chilled - they are a good naturally sweet no-fat snak.

Hey Greg,

I hear you about the back!!!

When I collect the water, I transfer to the five gallon buckets (half full) and transfer to different places to water. I have a certain method that works for me...It is work though...but I do enjoy moving things around...When it comes to moving palms (potted) or my large Agave, I wait for my son to come home from college for that project!! He also has the duty of trimming up the fronds in the spring...(Great Son!!!) I do try and watch the back...I see others that have problems and it isn't any fun...Tks for the concern :)

How do you handle the water from your 55 gallon barrels?

Did you all receive any rain yesterday or today?

We had more thunderstorms/lightning pass through yesterday and today. I was down in Hatteras, N.C. and we had some really crazy weather!!

I did take some pics of those Agaves down in Hatteras (HWY 12...south) so I will be posting soon with other pics of Agaves from here in VB as well!!!

Take care everyone...

Laura in VB

Greg, I didnt see your post! Thanks for the offer on the figs, but Im trying to not get any more plants after I had to buy more pots and soil for my new plants coming now!! But once spring comes Ill have some more room in the ground which means that I can get some figs and other nice plants!!
We did get some rain here today but the heaviest unfortunately missed us. There were a few times that the rain was pretty steady, but unfortunately it only lasted 5 minutes the most. I still ended up watering a few of the plants, but many of them got more than enough water from the rain.
Good luck! Hope that some people got a good downpour from this last storm!
-Alex

It poured yesterday and is still raining HEAVY this morning. Lovin' it! Half about half foot deficit to work on.

We are getting a pretty steady rain today so Im the end we did get some decent precipitation amounts, yay!!! Looks like about 2 more days of clouds and rain.
-Alex

It is very useful to hear everyone's reports of rain and how much you are getting. Yesterday we had heavy warm downpours (another 1" plus) again and last night even some showers.

Although it may seem like its a little too late, with it still being August and warm, the tropical and semi-tropical plants are responding well. Most all plants look better now.

Hi Laura, I keep my barrel in one location and drain water from a whole in the bottom on the hot dry or simply dry days to water. I like to use it for my pots mainly so I do not need to turn the water on. I keep the barrel in one place and drain it completely in Dec. Another thing i notice is the plants love warm that water.. lol.

Some of the rain we recieved has some tropical storm characteristics.

Now a NE 17 mph wind is providing a cool air flow has given us some temporary relief (from the heat) with hit and miss showers giving the ground a chance to absorb the moisture we desparately needed. The forecast is for the upper 80s by weeks end and the growth spurt will continue.