I don't remember when our last substansial rainfall was, know it has been a really long time. Last summer was hot and dry also. We have a 45 year or older mighty oak tree that is dying. All my bushes are dried up, they were last year also, look for all of them to be finished off this year. I think it would take several weeks or a month of low steady rain to do any good here. St, Louis has had more rain than we have. We are about 30 miles South of St.Louis. I am starting to worry about the wildlife around here not having water to drink. I have a birdbath and the birds just flock to it.