Jenn, just start a new thread here on the TX forum and ask about permaculture methods.

Also, I'll be writing an article soon about swale construction. Look for that in the coming weeks.

Now, this story is scary! And this is near a lake, too! There's some lessons to be learned in there somewhere on what is the wrong approach to planning for water availability.
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-50...

What it doesn't say is that the LCRA was selling the water from that particular well to independent haulers for $5. per 1000 gal. as late as one day before the area was put under stage 3 watering restrictions. The residents pay $3.75 to $7.95 per 1000 based on how much water they use. It's front page news today in the Austin paper.

Tsk, tsk.

Here's the article

http://www.statesman.com/news/...

It's crazy! Medina Lake is only 21 percent full now, but they haven't totally stopped allowing the use of its water for irrigation of farms elsewhere...at least, not yet. They plan to limit the amount of water used for that quite a bit and restrict it to about a month and a half in spring only, however. If this drought continues for years, conflicts over water will get much worse. But I was noticing today while driving in the San Antonio area how many weeds, grasses and forbs are growing in the area. So unusual to see that much in winter, especially during drought!

I hope they are right! Of course, they predicted the end of La Nina last June and it didn't happen.
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-50...

So now they're predicting the end of La Nina but not of the drought - is this better?

Ummm...we're having 34 tonite and freezing tomorrow night. 'Been out covering stuff in the back yard. Rats! We've had a few good rain showers lately. I didn't have many bulbs coming up last spring. This year, some that I haven't seen for a few years are coming up. I had some fresias that naturalized out front, then disappeared. I saw the greenery peeking out last week. already have dafs blooming. I'll cover them tomorrow night. Gotta love TX weather!

Up here in N Texas we're expecting 25 the next 2 nights and possibility of snow over night Monday.

Our forecast is for 23 degrees tonight. Looks like we're finally getting a bit of a winter.

I came across this webpage this morning:

http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/p...

It's the Climate Prediction Center's Seasonal Drought outlook. It was released earlier this month and covers the upcoming 3 month period.

The ongoing La Niña event favors drought persistence and development for the next 3 months across the southern tier of States

Oh joy..., he says while muttering into his coffee cup...

Dave, are you in the eastern part of Texas where the green stripes are (on that map), or further west/south where it is solid color (brown/red..hard to see colors on my screen)?

Nice weather site, by the way. Thanks.

Shoe

We are in the eastern part of the state, but somewhat south of those green line, but we have had quite a bit of rain these past couple months. This is the greenest winter I've ever experienced, thanks to the mild temperatures and rainfall. We haven't had to feed hardly any hay at all this year.

Look what I woke up to this morning.

Wow! Looks like you've gotten more than you needed today. I heard Mardi Gras parades were postponed all along the coast from NOLA to Moblie. We have 21/2" in the rain gauge. I think it's about gone now. Looks like you're going to get more very soon!

We got 1 inch so far, more to come.

Wow! Feast or famine with ya'lls rain this year, eh?

I hope you enjoy the rain, horntoad and that no damage has been done to things. We went through several severe droughts here in the past 15 years or so and it makes me appreciate rain/water. Sure hope it is still well-liked by ya'll in spite of any flooding.

Shoe (who thinks maybe Dave got out his 55 gallon barrels and was beating on them and rain dancing)

I can only think you guys are doing happy dances with all the drought you have been through & are predicted for more. So let that water sink down into the earth to be used another day.