>I don't know where these "late summer rains" fall. Up here they >start in October, which is fall. > >We occasionally get a light rain in August and September, but not >enough to split the tomatoes. **I wondered about the August rains, too. Here on the NorCal coast rain starts in late Oct, if we're lucky. Usually can count on rain in Nov. Usually. I don't think we get rain in Aug or Sept. s. -- susan hayek, North Coast of CA, USA, zone 9b, Sunset zone 17. 15 miles south of Eureka, CA, overlooking the Eel River, with a peek of the ocean. my flicker fotos: http://flickr.com/photos/57336354@N00/