We all recognize that soft rumble in the distance on a hot day, when the wind kicks up and then there’s a flash or two. The charge in the air, followed by that magical random rhythm of raindrops on the roof. What seemed to take forever getting here is soon to be a fact. The tempo increases in a way that only Mother Nature plays so well. The skies open up and now it’s pouring. You dash out of the house, grab the laundry off the line and roll up the windows on the car. A bit soaked, you stand back and watch the spectacle. It’s loud, wet and windy again and it is wonderful!

For those of us with rainwater collectors, it’s also a time of comfort as the downspouts begin their chore of putting that beautiful gift in the bank as it were. There’s nothing like it. You have to be a rainwater collector to know the feeling. Rain, that simple but crucial element of nature that makes plants leap out of the soil is now filling your barrels or tank and will be there for the dry spells between monsoon showers.

All the work you put into getting your garden started and tended through the hot, dry days of June is now assured of reaching that safe place that you’ve been hoping for. From now on the garden will grow and flourish, the tomatoes, strong and healthy, fresh green lettuce and fruit full of natural, sweet water. And all this can happen right here in the Sonoran desert.

Water collecting brings to mind big oak barrels, buckets, and watering cans. Today it is poly tanks and barrels, metal tanks as well as some fashioned from ferro cement. (Sorry folks, wood barrels shrink and won’t hold a drop here.) Systems for collecting rain water run the gamut, depending on what you want to spend, your needs and how much time and effort you want to put in.

Personally I love collecting rainwater; I lived for five years in the Australian bush in Queensland and found that a completely rain-water-fed house was not much of a chore at all. It does require a little forethought in the planning stage and setting down the foundation for a system that you can build on. We drank, washed, bathed and irrigated with it. As for the quality, well it just doesn’t get any better. Now I don’t propose that you run your household on this liquid gold, but suggest you start with it for the garden.

I believe in keeping it simple and affordable. I began with 55 gallon food grade barrels plumbed one to another in little water sheds on my property and then moved on to a 1500 gallon tank. I still add those 55 gallon drums to my system: the chickens have one of their own and one for a rainwater- fed outdoor bath tub with soon a wood-fired hot water heater for winter nights.  A little imagination and the willingness to get in there and do it will go a long way.

(Experts from Cooperative Extension’s WaterWise Program along with a couple of local specialists that install rain water collection systems (including author Nelson) will be at the farmers markets this week.  Learn how to size and put together a rain water roof collection system and get information about passive rain harvesting strategies and landscaping to slow down run-off and direct it to plantings.  Systems are available for any size home or budget. WaterWise will also offer drought-tolerant plant lists and three educational children’s activities about harvesting rain water.

Bisbee Farmers Market

Get ready to harvest rain this monsoon season.  Andrew Nelson of Bisbee offers affordable, expandable collection systems including 55 gallon barrels unpainted or in a variety of colors to compliment your house.  These compact barrels are a great solution for Bisbee where yards are small and it’s expensive to carve out level space.  Andrew will also install your system, big or small, including your choice of tank up to 1,500 gallons.

Home-style Mexican food by Elvia Villa and her family for breakfast and lunch and to go.

Little River Nursery in Hereford will bring “plants grown here for here” (its motto.) This includes trees and shrubs such as Desert Willow, Yellow Bird of Paradise and Texas Ranger; flowers such as Eupatorium greggii or Blue Mist and Salvia greggii or Autumn Sage and Mexican Evening Primrose, plus a variety of cactus and other drought tolerant plants.  Oaks of the Wild West and other trees and shrubs that do well here by Hereford’s Gary Foss.

Yvonne Jingle will have native and other landscape plants plus a few houseplants, mostly succulents. Her fresh produce will include beets with tops, Swiss chard, spinach, and red and green cabbage.  (SVFM)

Look for beautiful bunches of beets, chard and spring onions from Burda Farm as well as their colorful sunflower bouquets.  Other produce will include spring lettuce, sugar snap peas, red and yellow onions, tomatoes, cucumbers as well as local pinto beans, 9 bean soup mix, pecans, walnuts and pistachios.  Get something special to dress your salad with from their selection of gourmet oils and vinegars. Pick up European style breads, pies and pastries

Small growers will include Bob Berry (cherry and large tomatoes, green onions, summer squash, flower bouquets, honey), Andy Gowins (red and sweet onions), and four others with seasonal fresh produce.

Grass-fed meats, pastured poultry available from San Ysidro Farm at both markets with a special on red chorizo great with scrambled free-range eggs.

All natural emu products from Circle T Emu Ranch:  Emu oil is ideal for rejuvenation of the skin and to promote healing.  During hot summer months it is great for dry heels and elbows. Emu Lip Balm is ideal for dry, cracked lips with Tea Tree and Lavender, Cool Mint, and Natural flavors.  Emu Sports and Muscle Rub does wonders for aching muscles and arthritic joints. Pure Emu Gel Caps assist in lowering cholesterol and maintaining a healthy immune system.  The “other red meat”, emu is 97% fat free, good for the health conscious and the ideal burger to serve at your next barbecue.  

Simmons Honey will have mesquite honey and desert wildflower honey in one pound jars, quarts, and gallons as well as creamed honey and other hive products.  Honey granola will also be available. It now offers in-season watermelon jelly, plum jam, sweet relish, apricot jam, tomatillo salsa and chow chow relish. (SVFM)

Monsoon is upon us and with it comes the Colorado toads, just as deadly as rattlesnakes. Thunder and lightening and July 4th fireworks can cause adverse reactions such as uncontrollable fear on the part of dogs. See Helen Hayes for remedies and protocols created by a local holistic vet that can help calm animals and keep them safe.