February 22, 2014 – Drought comeback in Napa Valley

Finally, some desperately needed rain has fallen in Napa Valley, and not a moment too soon.  Ordinarily by this time the mustard is two feet high and starting to pop its yellow blossoms, creating a golden shimmer across the vineyards here.  This year, you can just make out the new growth of the cover crop, motivated by the recent rain.  Although the drought is still severe, the late rains come at a time when the vines will need the water most – as they awaken from their winter’s slumber.  Below are two photos I took from around the same time of year, one from 2012 and one today.

From 2012:

Typical mustard growth from February 8, 2012

From 2014:

Dry fields just beginning to sprout cover crop on February 22, 2014