Water Catchment
The first year on new land was dedicated to observing nature's cycles and watching where the rainwater naturally flows and collects. The second winter is the time to begin berms and plan rainwater catchment.
Since we have a lot of junk tires, I'm going to try a rainwater tire tower to sieve rainwater into from the tops of walls and roofs. Tire towers can form part of my workroom and carport walls.
How about a 2-sectioned one with glass covered black tires on the top section for a passive solar hot water tank. In the evening, this could empty into the well-insulated bottom section which can keep the water hot into the night.

On a garden tour, one water system used arroyo water filtered through rocks above and below ground to channel water to each tree in the tiny orchard.

On another garden tour,a water system used arroyo water filtered through plant debris like palm fronds to collect rich topsoil in a basin.

Monsoon - late summer rains
The hoped for soakings usually come, and we often get pelted again just before winter. The green grasses and chirping frogs that made it feel like a tropical grassland for a few important weeks come back a few more weeks. It's a great time to get some trees and herbs transplanted as the weather cools.
I plan to try bok choy on my little homestead since it is quite a bit colder out of the bowl of the city and windier. Bok choy likes it chilly and are gorgeous growers with bright dark green leaves starting from a creamy off-white stalk.