Waiting for Rain

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7/1/09
Waiting for Rain

Picture shirtless boys covered head to toe in a slurry of mud lying face-up on the ground, heads touching, bodies pointed out to form a human asterisk. Eyes closed and palms pressed together, this is an Indian ritual to induce rain. Extremely hot weather and late monsoons are causing concerns for farmers in one of the world's most populous countries.

In Auglaize County the rains have come with weekly steadiness to keep flower, veggie gardens and field crops growing. One big rain on April 30 (from 3”-5” depending on your location) has been followed by lesser rain falls. However, weather conditions since Father’s Day are beginning to take their toll on gardens and fields.

From the April to August growing season, Auglaize County averages more than3 inches of rain monthly. Last year was not average. June saw monsoon like rains 7.7 inches, almost double the normal. But during the months flanking June, rainfall was well below normal.

In dry times we irrigate our veggie garden by dropping a small utility pump into the creek and running a hose. Plug it in and move the hose until all plants have gotten a good drink. This irrigation worked well last year until the creek ran dry. The garden was left to grow or die as the season ebbed.

Each planting year starts with the expectation for a good crop. We prep the ground, plant the seed and hope for the right amount of rain and sun to make it grow. Waiting is the difficult part. Wondering when rain will fall. Our lack of control over the weather leaves us uneasy.

Dry Spell Stress is felt by all people living in an agriculture community, farmers and town dwellers alike. As steamy summer afternoon clouds form, we gaze up hoping that they will hover over our land and wring out their moisture onto our crops. It is a topic of conversation at the coffee shop and on the streets. We call on God in our prayers at church as part of our ritual to encourage rain to fall.

Good news! July is the wettest month of the year on average in Auglaize County. According to the National Weather Service, NOWData, we average 4.49 inches of rain in July. The wettest month has just begun and I remain hopeful that our garden will be watered from above and produce a good return.

But for all my optimism the tomatoes and squash are looking puny. They need a drink. Time to start irrigating. If the rains fail to show perhaps I will plan a picnic or wash the car, rituals sure to induce rain.

Allison Brady, Executive Director
Heritage Trails Park District- Your Auglaize County Parks