It is mid-June, and the tasks are irrigation, pruning and spraying the grapes, and weed control across the property.

I have 19 years of rainfall records for this property.  A good year is 24 to 28 inches is, measured July 1 to June 30, 22-26 inches. Almost all of our rain falls between October and April.  This year (just now ending), we had 18 inches. 

A general rule I’ve heard from a local expert is that 30-35 inches is required for dry farming (i.e., no irrigation).  Of course, that depends on the crop and the soil and the heat-stress weather.  We do pretty well on 25” or so.

Fortunately, our two major crops, grapes and olives, do not require a lot of water even in a dry year.  But we have many trees and bushes, for landscaping as well as food, and 18 or so irrigation/drip lines, so drought years and plant survival are a worry for most of the property, not so much for olives and grapes.

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