Martha Retallick's Monthly Newsletter | December 11, 2025

Dealing with Reality

**Malabar spinach.** Copyright © Martha Retallick. All rights reserved.

The Climate Prediction Center of the National Weather Service is out with its forecast for Arizona and the Southwestern region of the United States.

And, I’m sorry, it’s probably not going to be the forecast you want to hear: Warm temperatures and below average rainfall.

So much for that notion of coming out of that drought that we’ve been in – since the summer of 2024 – during the winter of 2025-26.

But as water harvesters, we deal with what is.

The good news is that I can keep growing the Malabar spinach shown above. Normally, it's a summer crop that I harvest during the fall.

More good news: My 1,500-gallon cistern is full. Thank you, summer and fall rains, for that gift.

But, since I want that water to last until next summer's monsoon season, I am carefully rationing it in my little backyard vegetable garden.

This garden includes 36 square feet of raised bed space and a container array that's next to my gas meter.

**The gas meter garden.** Copyright © Martha Retallick. All rights reserved.

In addition to the gas meter garden, I have a GreenStalk vertical planter on the porch.

Unlike previous years, this little garden is still going strong, even though meteorological winter has been here since December 1.

What to do? Well, I think I'll just let the GreenStalk plants stay put. I'd really like to enjoy some Punta Banda tomatoes in the coming weeks.

**Punta Banda tomato plant.** Copyright © Martha Retallick. All rights reserved.

And now, let's switch gears and cover something I've hinted at in recent months.

In addition to writing this monthly newsletter, I host the weekly Water Harvesting 101 podcast. It's time to give the pod a dedicated newsletter department.

So, against the backdrop of dried mesquite tree pods, I give you...

Recent episodes have included a three-part series on growing your own food with water harvesting.

Growing Your Own Food with W...

Nov 17 · Water Harvesting 101

6:06

Growing Your Own Food with W...

Nov 24 · Water Harvesting 101

10:50

Growing Your Own Food with W...

Dec 1 · Water Harvesting 101

6:17

And then there's my most popular episode to date.

It features a creature that one doesn't often associate with the Southwest. We're talking about beavers!

Release the Beavers

Nov 10 · Water Harvesting 101

10:43

Want to support the podcast? The PayPal email is info@westernskycommunications.com.

Kirkus Reviews calls City Nature “A beguiling ramble full of captivatingDIY information and arresting visuals of flora and fauna.”

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Photographed, Written, and Designed by Martha Retallick

Tip: Just in time for the holidays, City Nature quantity discounts are here!

These discounts are also available to companies, nonprofit organizations, and educational institutions.

For details, reply to this email or give me a call at 520-690-1888.

$29.95

Water Harvesting 101 eBook

Whether you’re a DIY-er from start to finish, or you’re going to hire everything out, here’s your guide

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Year-End Colors

Although southern Arizona doesn't experience the brilliant fall colors of New England, there's still quite a bit to enjoy here. Let's take a second look at the promising Punta Banda tomato plant...

**Punta Banda flowers.** Copyright © Martha Retallick. All rights reserved.

And a below-average rainfall prediction won't stop the occasional shower from coming through. In this shot, I'm enjoying the raindrops on Asian green mizuna...