Since 3/23/26, our area has received a total of 2.70"of precipitation. This is far below what is needed, not only for spring plant growth but to assuage the drought conditions. The latest drought monitor noted our county is at the "extreme" level. This is an uptick from the severe category we have had for a number of months. The fire season is technically over, but we are encouraged not to do outside burning. When we were digging postholes last month, my husband dug down eighteen inches (18"), and the ground was dry throughout the holes. The weather has been warmer than is typical for the spring and has continued to be very windy at times. We experienced some local power outages locally in late April (19th) consequent to an unannounced wind event.
The birds, bats, and bugs are milling about. We have noticed changes in the arrival of some creatures. The spring peepers (that usually begin their calls in late February) began peeping this month (May). In contrast, the fireflies (that show up late May to early June) were observed glimmering last night!
We are valiantly planting seeds and seedlings/transplants in an effort to grow some summer vegetables. The ants have apparently been desperate because they have stripped leaves off all the Pak Choi that came up last month. They are also eating holes in the native violets, so I wish they would limit their efforts to the violets. They are also taking new leaves from the baby pepper plants I put in this past week. They have not bothered the pea shoots, or the cauliflower and cabbage transplants so that is good. We have had to hand water plants or use the soaker hoses.