Fade to Yellow

Two other strategies: praying and spraying (paint)

Neighborhood lawns are all transitioning from green to yellow as the summer heat intensifies and the two-day-a-week watering limit takes effect.

But Californians should not concede defeat.

The forecast, produced by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), shows “drought removal likely” in a small swath of the southeastern part of California by October 31. NOAA meteorologists said last week that there’s a 90% chance of El Niño continuing through winter and an 80% chance of it persisting through early spring. If it does, the drought-free area in California could expand along the coast and in the southern part of the state, according to NOAA climate prediction center meteorologist Matthew Rosencrantz.

Careful watering will keep the grass alive until the winter rains come, say the gardeners.

As with other endeavors, just staying alive may not sound like much of a strategy but it works better than just giving up.