We are down 6" of rain this summer and my soil is starting to look more like dust. I've been concerned about the water shortage in your area as my daughter has moved to Tempe AZ and has experienced her first dust storm? I never thought about things like that before. National Geographic has a beautiful article this month about the drought in the west. After reading the article I won't be complaining about a few inches shortfall. Hopefully the weather will turn around soon. Your right, my sedums are really happy this year.
