These photos were snapped yesterday as we, in Southern California, anticipate an atmospheric river storm early this week. Predictions suggest one to two inches of rain for San Diego coast and valleys. The rain barrels are in place for the metal garage roof and tomorrow I’ll need to finish draining down the two 300 gallon rain tanks that capture water from the house gutters.

Our drought-stricken SoCal landscape will be refreshed and the wildfire risk will diminish. The one hundred native plants I helped tuck into dry soil at a nearby demonstration garden two days ago will benefit from the rain. Though the winter outlook suggests lower than normal rainfall, Californians welcome it whenever it comes.

Early November is a golden time in the garden. Seeds planted in October are growing well. Seed-grown transplants revel in warm sunny days, sinking their roots deep in rich, compost-amended soil that supports healthy top growth. With the cooler nights, the cabbage moths are fewer and row covers protecting the brassicas are removed. Screens remain in place to protect vulnerable plantings from opossums and raccoons—infrequent but unpredictable visitors.

Two kinds of beets are thinned and growing well under screening.

Romanesco and sweet peas in late afternoon light.

‘Little Gem’ lettuce nearing harvest.

The broccoli bed with six ‘Jacaranda’ in front. It produces a single head about ten days before most other varieties—my plan for not being inundated with broccoli. We’ll see how it turns out.

Summer holdovers.

Snow peas finding their way to the trellis aided by bamboo sticks—absent Pea Brush.

And waiting in the wings, more lettuce and celery and flowers.

Late fall garden bouquet after the asters have departed.

Check my What I’m Planting Now and Garden Tasks This Week pages. Dave at Happy Acres blog is taking a break from Harvest Monday until February.