criminy! Crazy storm in southern SF county (Santa Fe: yard, snake)

[lisdol]

Watch out Santa Fe! We just had quite a boomer roll through SW SF county. It started out innocently enough with a light sprinkle, which rapidly turned to pea sized hail, driving rain, then thunder and lightning. I had to shoo a mole off of my back patio. We had lots of water flow, reminiscent of a couple of summers ago. Still sprinkling and lightly thundering now, but much better than 45 minutes ago.

Oh, my poor tomato plants....

This was like summer storms back east, except much earlier in the day.

Any of you getting it yet?

[Devin Bent]

It's hot and sunny up here -- Nambe -- haven't had rain in days.

[Towanda]

I don't see any menacing skies here yet, and I am just southeast of Santa Fe.

On the weather map, though I can see the storm you are talking about - looks like it has stalled in your area.

I have been amazed at the number of really heavy storms we have had since we moved here - accompanied by thunder, lightning, hail and heavy rains! Didn't expect to see that in this part of the country!

[santafescribe]

Grey clouds and distant thunder over Santa Fe. Luckily I have no tomato plants ;-}

[lisdol]

Just stepped out and looked towards SF and there is rain between me and you. Due East is blue skies with fluffy white clouds.

Weather in NM can be very precise, so I wouldn't be surprised if you get nothing but 2 miles away from you gets pounded.

It might be time to take in the laundry and the children though - that hail was pounding!

[Devin Bent]

Originally Posted by lisdol

Just stepped out and looked towards SF and there is rain between me and you. Due East is blue skies with fluffy white clouds.

Weather in NM can be very precise, so I wouldn't be surprised if you get nothing but 2 miles away from you gets pounded.

It might be time to take in the laundry and the children though - that hail was pounding!

When I looked out -- I thought it was over the west side of Santa Fe. We had storms all around us, but nothing here.

[lisdol]

Ah, lucky you. My tomato plants seem to be fine, but my zucchini and peppers sustained much leaf damage. There are holes in all of the leaves!

And I do believe I will wait for the monsoons to be over to work on digging up weeds and getting part of my yard ready for some xeric groundcover next spring. Today I learned that those weeds are holding all the dirt together!

[Devin Bent]

Originally Posted by lisdol

And I do believe I will wait for the monsoons to be over to work on digging up weeds and getting part of my yard ready for some xeric groundcover next spring.

Those weeds are a lot easier to pull now while the ground is wet. And you want to get them before they go to seed.

[lisdol]

OK help me here! What can I put down once the weeds are pulled to keep sliding mud at bay during the rain? Would wood mulch help? My lot is sloped and my front yard has a wraparound 45 degree slope just past the lawn area that is about 4-5 feet bottom to top. I was thinking if I worked in small sections, pulling weeds, then putting down cover, I could stay ahead of the rain.

[Devin Bent]

Originally Posted by lisdol

OK help me here! What can I put down once the weeds are pulled to keep sliding mud at bay during the rain? Would wood mulch help? My lot is sloped and my front yard has a wraparound 45 degree slope just past the lawn area that is about 4-5 feet bottom to top. I was thinking if I worked in small sections, pulling weeds, then putting down cover, I could stay ahead of the rain.

Oops.

Even with a slight slope I suspect that the mulch will slide with the mud unless you do something. Ditto any top soil you put down. I terrace, using rocks to build 'dry' wall simply by piling one-two layers of rock. Depending upon the size of the area that could be a big project. I project completion of my yard in 2040.

Take another look at the weeds. Maybe there are some you like. Try to think of them as xeric plants. Snake Weed is quite pretty. Four Winged Salt Bush is an evergreen -- or ever whatever color it is.