Okay, so it’s not as catchy as “raindrops are falling on my head,” but the rain gauge has become an important fixture in our garden. Last Friday, May 22, it rained 0.3″ but now it’s Tuesday and the weather is warming up. We needed another shower.
This evening Debbie and I sat in the rockers on the front porch and watched it rain steadily for about 20-minutes or more. The temperature dropped as the rain fell gently on the garden — and everything else. I thought we probably got at least a 1/2-inch or so.
But just before dark I checked the rain gauge. Barely 1/10 of an inch registered. I’m grateful for that, don’t get me wrong, but my point is that our perception can be misleading. I’m paying attention this year, and my rain gauge is part of my new awareness. I’m told the garden needs an inch of rain per week. So far we’re short, but it’s only Tuesday. However, if I ever get our rain barrels fixed and hooked up, I was told that 1/10″ of rainfall can fill a rain barrel (55-gallons), when it’s placed under a downspout. Talk about multiplying your resources — that’s a great return on a small investment. I’ll let you know when I get the barrels fixed. Until then, stay simple. (I had promised you soapmaking today, but that will have to wait until Thursday.)
