We have received a lot of rain lately. Please keep in mind the state requirement that sprinklers and irrigation remain off 48 hours after measurable rainfall. This will help you save water and minimize the water running into the gutters. If you want to save even more, you can wait to resume watering until your soil feels dry.

Palm Springs information in the National Weather Service Forecast Office

If you haven't already, consider installing Smart Controllers that shut irrigation off during rainy weather. Desert Water Agency offers rebates to make it easy and affordable.

Unfortunately, there have been instances of plant pilfering in neighborhoods and homeowners’ associations. If you experience or witness a plant theft, please notify the police.

Certain landscaping, such as cactus, a popular and expensive native plant, can be appealing to a thief looking to turn around and sell it for profit. Newly planted landscaping is especially vulnerable since it is easier to remove. 

The season’s first snow survey on Jan. 4 shows water content below average but still significantly better than last year.

Even though winter storms have coated California’s Sierra Nevada, the state is still experiencing a drier-than-normal start to the wet season with the snowpack at 67 percent of normal. Last year’s reading on Jan. 3 was at 29 percent.