Wait, What? Rain Tomorrow?

Broccoli is in.

Um, yup, there is a chance.  At first, as this popped up on some models and in the NOAA forecast, I thought it was just a blip.  But each run it is becoming more and more likely.  On the other hand, the storm for this coming Sunday is looking like it going to pass to our north.  So, while the hump day may be a tad wet, it is not a big price to pay to be able to hit up that beach party this holiday weekend.  Just get out to the beaches early, 'cause the valley will be invading.

Tomorrow should begin with a pretty good cloud cover around the bay.  Winds will be fairly light, blowing from the south.  And there will be periods of rain across the region.  This will probably be a short lived event, and not widespread.  Still, roll your car windows up tonight.  And be ready for a lower than normal morning commute.  As the day wears on, things will break up and chances of rain decrease in the evening hours.  Overnight, we should see significant clearing.  Again, Thursday and Friday look like warm and sunny day.  Perhaps the nicest days of the week, as fog and will put a chill on the start of the weekend.   Sunday, Memorial Day and beyond look to be warm and about 70F in Santa Cruz.

Casino and Municipal Wharf from Cowells Point, Santa Cruz.

The surf continues, as south and north swells continue to impact our coast.  Waves should remain head high through at least Thursday, and only slightly smaller through the holiday.  The winds that have kept most folks surfing on the points in Santa Cruz, should change as of tomorrow.  South winds, with a touch of east could start the day Wednesday.  It will be more northeast for Thursday morning.  Light, as compared to the last five days, should follow, but each day we can expect to see an afternoon onshore wind on the open coast.  Still, things continue to look good in the surf world.  It is a fine close to the month of May, as the North Pacific remains active, to keep us sustained through the infrequent south swells.

Do you finally have your gardens going?  You (as you almost always do in these parts) still have time, but it is not bad to have a good portion of your summer garden under way.  We have all but one of our tomatoes in the ground.  The Green Zebra is still working on its root ball in the pot up process.  It should be in the ground within the week.  Soon it will be time to harvest garlic.  Sprouting broccoli has been harvested.  Lettuce and peas have been going for a week plus now.  And we are in mid harvest for our fava beans.  I now have two items I will sow regularly in the fall.  Garlic is on its third year, because it is both easy and delicious.  Fava beans were surprisingly easy to get a great crop.  It is nice to see the garden in full swing.  We just harvest some Yukon Gold potatoes the other day.  If you are feeling lazy, try this.  Buy a few potatoes and stick them in a paper bag.  When they begin to grow eyes, cut them up so each piece has a few eyes.  Bury them a few inches in the ground and water them.  It helps if you keep mounding soil on the growing plants once the greens break the surface.  When the green turn yellow and start to die, dig up your potato crop.  You'll be surprised how easy it is, and how good they taste.

Give tomatos a few months of love, and it's worth it!

Keep your gardens watered. It is easy to forget, because the ground has been so moist this winter.  Things are drying out.  Perhaps we will get a touch of rain tomorrow, but that will dry out pretty quickly, as the water table drops.  A mulch will help retain water.  If you choose the right one it will also nourish you plants.  And don't over water, as this is a waste of a resource and can even damage your crops.  Check a guide if you are not sure how much and how often you need to water your plants.

Chance of rain for Wednesday with clearing close behind.  Nice days to wrap up the week.  A bit cooler and windy on Saturday as storms begin to move into our north.  A bounce back on Sunday as we hope those storms pass east without dropping over us.  Nice for Memorial Day.  Thank a veteran for their service.