Day:  94-degrees  |  Night:  71-degrees
Tradescantia on the front porch.  It's a beautiful, vining hanging basket and it is loving this weather.  Easy to grow and very little maintenance.  We have a couple of variations, but I think this just might be my favorite.  They say if you plant it in the ground, it can become invasive.  Of course, it wouldn't make it through our Saint Louis winters!  I can barely make through our Saint Louis winters!

If you love sunshine, you are in luck!  Another sunny day on the southside.  Soft winds blowing from the SSW at 10 to 15 MPH.  Another beautiful day in the Carondelet Garden.  Looks like I will be watering again today.  No rain in sight.  

Today is a good day for a good day.  Keep the faith and hang on to hope.  Be good and be kind to yourself and others on your journeys about.  Have a great Thursday Gardening Friends!

Day:  91-degrees  |  Night:  62-degrees
Another stunning morning here in the Carondelet neighborhood of South Saint Louis.  Yesterday was the perfect day to do some work around the flower beds.  Deadheaded some flowers and did a bit of weeding. Watering has returned to the routine since Sunday's showers were a bit on the sparse side.  No complaints, the Doodle Dog and I enjoy our mornings piddling around the garden, and, of course, her morning walkabout.

Humpday Sunshine today.  We will have light winds out of the South at 5 to 10 MPH.  Another beautiful day to get out and enjoy some sunshine.  It's a good day for a good day.  I wish you peace and hope on this last Wednesday of June.  Be good and be kind to yourself and others.  Have a great Wednesday Gardening Friends!

Day:  85-degrees  |  Night:  59-degrees
Another beautiful morning here in the Carondelet Garden.  The flowers are looking very happy after Sunday's shower.  The lower temperatures haven't hurt.  It's been a lovely few days here in South Saint Louis.  

Yesterday, I harvested our Yukon Gold Potatoes.  We grew them in grow bags for the very first time and we were thrilled with the success.  As an urban garden, we don't have a lot of space to work with and the bags were fantastic.  We could move them as necessary, and they outperformed our highest hopes!  We will definitely try this again next season.

The weather is simply lovely again today.  Sunny skies with light winds.  Who could ask for anything more?  Here's wishing you a bit of Hope today.  We all need to have a bit of hope even when we are at our deepest hurt.  It allows us to continue on.  Keep hope alive.  Have a great Tuesday Gardening Friends!

Day:  83-degrees  |  Night:  59-degrees
We opened the door to the Garden this morning and it was simply glorious!  Low humidity, mid 60s, bright, clear skies and the sun just beginning to rise.  Truly, a perfect Monday morning.  The plants and flowers in the Garden loved the bit of rain we received yesterday.  Things are looking a bit better around the Garden this morning.  As I was walking around it looks like it just might be time to harvest our Yukon Gold Potatoes.  We'll give it a look see a bit later.  

The weather is simply stunning.  We can expect abundant sunshine with winds out of the North at 5 to 10 MPH.  It would hard to picture a more perfect day in Summertime Saint Louis.  A welcome respite from the heat of the past few weeks.  Hopefully, we can all begin our day with a bit of cheer and goodwill.  Be kind to yourself and others as you begin your week.  Have a great Monday Gardening Friends!

Day:  83-degrees  |  Night:  60-degrees
Saint Fiacre, the patron Saint of Gardens.  He's a pretty dire looking man for sure.  I would think he'd be happier out here in the Garden.  I know I'm much happier out in the Garden fiddling with plants.  Even weeding brings a certain joy.  Especially when it's done!

We should see a few more showers this morning, then partly cloudy for the rest of the day.  Winds will be out of the NNW at 10 to 15 MPH.  We need the rain so bring it on!  Hoping to head out and visit some other Saint Louis for the Sustainable Backyard Tour.  Maybe get some inspiration and advice!  Yes, this old man can still learn a few things!  Be good and be kind to yourself and others.  Have a great Sunday Gardening Friends!

Day:  98-degrees  |  Night:  74-degrees
I never remember the name of this plant.  I always end up calling it toilet paper.  We visited the Utopian village of New Harmony, Indiana many years ago and on the tour, they told the story of how the villagers would grow "Lamb's Ear" to use for toilet paper.  Of course, that's all I can remember!  I guess men are little boys forever.  

It's already pretty humid out in the Garden this morning.  We can expect sunshine and clouds mixed later this afternoon.  There's even a possibility of a stray shower or thunderstorm throughout the day.  Rain would be a welcome relief as things are getting quite parched.  The winds are out of the South at 5 to 10 MPH.  What are you doing this summer Saturday?  We will be heading to a Farmers' Market this morning.  Until then it's another cup of coffee and settling in with today's newspaper.  Not that I want to read any more bad news.  Be good and be kind today.  We all could use some kindness and some good in this world right now.  Have a wonderful Summer Saturday Gardening Friends!

Day:  92-degrees  |  Night:  68-degrees
Even with the dry, hot days we've had over the past week or so, everything still looks pretty good.  Watering has become a full-time job around here and I'm trying to be frugal and not overdo it.  The vegetables are so thirsty, and I've been trying to grow some in grow bags which need extra attention in this heat.  So, I water and water and pray and pray.  How are you handling the heat in your garden?

Another warm day today in the Carondelet neighborhood of South Saint Louis.  Nothing like the triple digits we've had recently but still a bit warm.  Lots of sunshine this morning but they say we may have a few afternoon clouds.  Winds are light and variable.  Not a bad day to get outside and enjoy the weather if you can.  Be good to yourself today.  You deserve some goodness.  We all deserve some good in our lives right now.  Here's hoping for an amazing Thursday Gardening Friends!

Day:  92-degrees  |  Night:  67-degrees
Dr. B and I have been together 40 years.  It seems like yesterday, and it seems like forever.  I'm the luckiest old guy in the world to be able to share every day with the love of my life.  The road hasn't always been straight and easy but, as we all know, the curvy roads are the most interesting.  We've definitely had some curves along the way.  We've had a few hills, some fairly deep valleys and a variety of weather, yet, somehow, we came out stronger and better.  I truly am the luckiest old man in the world!

We can expect some sun this morning with increasing clouds this afternoon.  A stray shower or even a thunderstorm is possible.  Winds will be out of the NNW at 10 to 15 MPH.  The weather today sounds like my life... a little bit of everything is possible! 

​It's a good day for a good day.  Be kind to yourself and others on this journey.  We all need a bit of kindness right now.  Have a great Wednesday Gardening Friends!

Day: 99-degrees  |  76-degrees
Happy first day of Summer!  In celebration my Pole Beans have finally begun to flower.  They were direct sewn back in late April.  My first time trying this variety.  Not sure what to expect but things are looking pretty good.  As always, watching and waiting.  Sums up gardening pretty well.  

The heat is returning to our little Garden in South Saint Louis.  We should see plentiful sunshine with winds out of the WSW at 5 to 10 MPH.  Stay hydrated and remember to take many breaks if you are working outside today.  Take care of yourself and check on those around you.  Be good and be kind to those you may meet as you travel about today.  Happy Tuesday Gardening Friends!

Day:  95-degrees  |  Night:  67-degrees
There is a certain elegance in a Calla bloom.  The subtle curves and the ebb and flow of the flower is simply stunning.  Flowers are a kind of grace.  We don't really deserve them, but we get them anyway. Sometimes we pay a lot of attention to them and give them all of the love and then we forget about them and let the languish.  Yet, they give us such beauty.  

I remember the author Philip Yancey gave this definition of Grace:  "There is nothing we can do to make God love us more.  There is nothing we can do to make God love us less."  I'm not smart enough to know if that is true or not but I like to believe it is.  We could all use a bit of Grace right now.

It's going to be another beautiful day here in the Garden.  Plentiful sunshine with winds out of the south at 5 to 10 MPH.  The morning has been absolutely perfect.  Just a lovely breeze and low humidity.  The perfect morning to sit on the porch, drink another cup of coffee and read the paper.  Be good and be kind to yourself and others on your journeys about.  Have a great Monday Gardening Friends!

Day:  88-degrees  |  Night:  60-degrees
Woke up this morning to a beautiful, cool morning in the Garden.  Low humidity, and the sun was just starting to peak across the horizon.  It's such a welcome break from the heat of last week. 

Yesterday was such a wonderful day.  Beautiful, sunny skies with great temperatures.  We were able to visit our friends and hold their brand-new baby girl.  What a joy to behold a perfect little child and have the privilege of holding her in your arms.  These are the moments that give you hope to carry on.  We need a bit of hopefulness in our lives right now.

The squash is blooming.  That, too, gives me hope.  Joy fills my heart as I witness these new creations growing and changing every single day.  Have some faith, keep the hope and share some love.  That is the only thing we can do and the only thing that will truly change the world around us.  

The weather is going to be stunning again today. Bright, beautiful, sunny skies with winds out of the SE at 5 to 10 MPH. It's a glorious day to be out in the Garden.  Praying with nature this morning.  Weeding, watering, planting, harvesting, and praying.  Praying for the faith to carry on, the hope that things can and will get better, and, maybe, the opportunity to share a little love along the way.  Have an amazing Sunday Gardening Friends!

Day:  86-degrees  |  Night:  58-degrees
We harvested all of the Carnival Blend Carrots yesterday.  They are beautiful to look at and sweet and crunchy to eat.  They were a bit of an experiment for me.  I've never grown a carrot before, but I will definitely be planting more next year.  These are delicious!

The heat is finally breaking a bit today.  We are definitely enjoying the lower humidity and the more seasonal temperatures for the next few days before the record-breaking heat returns to our Carondelet Garden.  We are expecting bright, sunny skies today with winds out of the ENE at 5 to 10 MPH.  Today is the day to get outside and enjoy your garden or maybe visit a farmers' market.  Be good to yourself today.  Be kind to those you may meet on your way.  Have a great Saturday Gardening Friends!

Day:  93-degrees  |  Night:  70-degrees
The electricity flickered on and off early this morning around 5:00 a.m. and the winds began to really blow.  It woke all of us and the Doodle Dog needed to investigate.  We let her out and then I remembered I had some seedlings on some sawhorse tables that would possibly be blown over so outside we ran, in the rain, getting seedling trays under cover and into safety.  What we won't do for the love of our plants!  Seriously, I've been nursing these seedlings through cats sitting on them and birds knocking them over, and they are finally starting to take off.  I'm not losing them now!  The good news is everything seems no worse for the wear.  The seedlings are healthy and happy.  No real damage to anything so, all in all, a good day.

The heat even seems to be subsiding a bit today.  Still quite warm but nothing like the past five days.  Partly cloudy with a stray shower or thunderstorm possible.  Winds are out of the NW at 5 to 10 MPH.   Hopefully everyone is safe and there's no damage around your gardens.  Be good and be kind to yourself.  The weekend approaches!  Have a great Friday Gardening Friends!

Day:  98-degrees  |  Night:  74-degrees
The last of the Hollyhocks are here.  The blooms are beautiful, but we have been fighting Rust for the past few weeks.  Time to cut things back and burn the cuttings.  We'll cut the whole plant down this fall and burn everything.  The rain this Spring followed by the hot temps certainly didn't help things.  It's all part of the process I guess.  You keep trying.  Sometimes you win and sometimes you don't.  The little joys of gardening.  Teaches us patience and perseverance.  Even this old guy needs to keep learning those lessons.

Another excessive heat day here in the Carondelet neighborhood of South Saint Louis.  A mix of clouds and sunshine with the slight possibility of a shower or thunderstorm this afternoon.  Personally, I'm not holding my breath!  Winds are out of the WSW at 10 to 15 MPH.  Take it easy today.  Be good and be kind to one another.  It's the best we can do for ourselves and our neighbors.  Have a great Thursday Gardening Friends!
​

Day:  99-degrees  |  Night:  77-degrees
It is Day 4 of Excessive Heat Warnings here in South Saint Louis.  It's been a pretty crazy middle of June here in the Midwest.  I'm pretty old and lived here all of my life and I don't ever remember this kind of heat in mid-June.  So far, with a lot of watering and care, the Garden seems to be hanging in there.  

We have an homage to an English Country Garden instead of a front yard.  I'm old enough to be able to admit that I truly enjoy watching Downton Abbey, Call the Midwife, and we even watched the entire Poirot series with David Suchet through the worst of the pandemic.  Loved every minute of it.  We just watched the latest Downton Abbey movie and thought it was quite good.  You have to be a fan to enjoy it probably.  We even sprung for a BritBox and Acorn streaming service.  Yes, we have an Anglophile problem.  All of that to explain why we have an homage English Country Garden and the flowers and plants are doing quite well here in Carondelet.

It's hot again today.  The Doodle Dog and I were out early again for her morning constitutional, and it was already in the upper 70s.  Today it will be hot and humid with mostly sunny skies and winds out of the SSW at 10 to 20 MPH.  Be sure to take it easy today.  Drink lots of fluids and take as many breaks as necessary to prevent heat stroke.  Be kind to yourself and others.  This weather is enough to fray anyone's nerves and you add into that the turmoil that is life in this world right now.  A little kindness goes a long, long way.  I hope someone extends a bit of kindness to you today.  Have a wonderful Wednesday Gardening Friends!

Day:  100-degrees  |  Night:  79-degrees
It was a very early morning walk with the Doodle Dog this morning and it was already 81-degrees at 5:30 a.m.  Just a crazy heat wave for June in Saint Louis.  Watering is almost a full-time job right now.  The good news is that tomatoes love this heat.  The other bit of news is the harvesting of carrots for the very first time here in the Carondelet Garden.  These were grown from seed planted back in mid-April.  They were direct-seeded into a raised bed between the sidewalk and fence.  It's this narrow little strip of ground that was just wasted but became the perfect place for carrots.  I love the "Carnival Blend" colors from Botanical Interests.  

We had our visit with the doctor yesterday and it looks like I'll be gardening for another year.  It was, in all honesty, a good visit with mostly good news.  This old gardener is still gardening and walking the Doodle Dog!  

The Heat Wave continues.  The high temperature recorded here in the Garden yesterday was 103-degrees.  The forecasters are calling for another record-breaking day with plentiful sunshine.  Winds are out of the SSW at 10 to 15 MPH.  There is an Excessive Heat Warning for everyone in the Saint Louis area.  Be careful if you have to be outside for any length of time.  Stay hydrated.  Rest Often.  Don't push yourself.  Be good and be kind to yourself and to others on your journey today.  Have a wonderful Tuesday Gardening Friends!

Day:  99-degrees  |  Night:  79-degrees
Oh, my goodness it is humid out in the garden this morning.  The Doodle Dog and I went outside to get the pots and hanging baskets watered.  I'm already dripping wet.  Incredible for this early in Saint Louis.  The tomatoes are loving it by the way.  They love those warm nights and soak up the sunshine.  

We both are heading out the door early this morning to get our doctor visits.  Age has its benefits but also its downfalls.  Off to the doctor we go to make sure we have those prescription refills and to be sure something else hasn't started or stopped for that matter.  It's a part of life.  You take the good and the bad and you make the best of it.  Not unlike being a gardener.  Some days everything looks amazing and the next you realize your wonderful Hollyhocks have rust!  You treat it and you move on.  I'm a bit rusty but there's a few miles left on this old gardener.

Clouds and sunshine with a slight risk of showers and thunderstorms.  Winds out of the SSW at 10 to 15 MPH.  It's hot and humid and downright dangerous so please be careful if you have to work outside.  Take breaks and keep hydrated.  Be good and kind to yourself and others.  People are going through so much right now and the heat will not be helping.  A smile and a kind attitude go a long, long way.  Have a good Monday Gardening Friends.

Day:  95-degrees  |  Night:  78-degrees
My San Marzano Tomatoes are starting to bear fruit.  We couldn't be happier.  This was my first attempt at growing tomatoes from seed.  It's an exciting experiment that seems to be working out pretty well.  I can't wait to harvest a few and make some more tomato sauce.  

It goes without saying that it is already pretty danged warm outside.  The Doodle Dog and I did our morning walk pretty early and it was already 80-degrees.  We came home and immediately started watering the plants and flowers.  I'm a very hot and humid old man right now!

Today we will see sunshine and clouds mixed with the chance of an afternoon thunderstorm.  Winds are out of the SW at 5 to 10 MPH.  There is a Heat Advisory for the Saint Louis Metro area so be careful if you are working outside.  Keep hydrated!  You and your plants.  Be good to yourself.  Try to get some rest if you can.  Have a great Sunday Gardening Friends!

Day:  89-degrees  |  Night: 73-degrees
The Sweet Onions are looking mighty, well, sweet!  Sorry, terrible pun.  Yet, they are looking good, and we are excited to try another new vegetable here in the Carondelet Garden.  I admit I pulled one just to see how it was fairing.  They are another month or so from being truly ready, but they are delicious.

It's a beautiful, sunny morning in the Carondelet neighborhood of South Saint Louis.  We can expect a mix of sun and clouds all day with light and variable winds.  A perfect day for a Farmers' Market or you could follow us over to Macklind Market to see some of our favorite makers.  Be good and kind to yourself and others as you wander about this fine day.  Happy Saturday Gardening Friends!

Day:  79-degrees  |  Night:  64-degrees
A bit of a wet start to this Friday in the Carondelet Garden.  The Doodle Dog was not impressed with the rain.  She doesn't actually mind the rain at all, she hates getting dried off before coming back into the house.  She's a bit of a goof.  

The Squash are really starting to show some promise.  I'm so excited about the different varieties we are trying this year.  We've planted Butternut, Acorn and Spaghetti Squashes.  So far so good.  We will be eating well this fall!

The rain should be sticking around off and on all day. No stormy weather just a wee soft damp to help the plants and flowers grow.  The winds are out of the South at 5 to 10 MPH.  The roads are still slick with the rain so be careful as you travel about this morning.  Take a moment to smell the fresh air.  It's lovely outside with the rain.  Be good to yourself.  Be kind and gentle with others.  Happy Friday Gardening Friends!

Day:  83-degrees  |  Night:  63-degrees
Our Bush Tomatoes are starting to produce fruit.  It's such a great time to be out in the Garden right now with all of the newness sprouting about.  We are looking forward to our first BLT of the season with our own tomatoes!

Sunny skies abound this morning here in the Carondelet neighborhood of South Saint Louis.  Winds are light and variable and it's just about perfect outside right now.  It's one of those days that you wish you could replicate over and over again.  Be good and be kind to yourself and others as you travel about today.  Happy Thursday Gardening Friends!

Day:  81-degrees  |  Night:  59-degrees
The storm clouds have passed for now and the sun is beginning to shine.  A bit of a late start this morning here in the Carondelet Garden.  The Doodle Dog was anxious to get her walk going but was more than happy to wait for the rain to stop.  

Today is School Carnival Day in the neighborhood.  We are picking up the girls and heading to the rides and games and fun this afternoon.  Enjoying this time while we are still cool enough to hang out with.  That time is so fleeting, so we grab it all while we can!  They are growing up way too fast for my taste.  We are beyond fortunate.

The weather looks like it just might cooperate.  The rain has moved on and the sun is shining.  There is a small chance for some more storms this afternoon.  Hopefully that won't happen.  Otherwise, a mix of clouds and sunshine with winds out of the West at 10 to 20 MPH.  Find some joy today as you travel about.  Be good and be kind to yourself and others.  Have a great Wednesday Gardening Friends!

Day:  87-degrees  |  Night:  66-degrees
These little beauties are called "English Viola."  They are quite a lovely addition to the English Garden part of our yard.  I love the variegation of the tiny flowers.  Just a stunning plant along the stone wall.  A bit of whimsy and joy for a Tuesday in June.

It's Tune-Up Tuesday.  I have to head to the mechanic's shop down the street with the kids' car for some work to be done.  Doc's has been in business in our Carondelet neighborhood for quite a while and with good reason.  Great service and honest pricing.  No higher praise for a business anywhere.

Today is going to overcast and cloudy with a possibility of a thunderstorm later in the day.  Winds are light and variable.  All in all, not a bad day at all.  One more day above the roses, as they say.  It's a good day for a good day.  Be kind to yourself and others on your travels this Tuesday.  Have a great day Gardening Friends!

Day:  78-degrees  |  Night:  65-degrees
Red sky at morn, sailors take warn!  There was definitely a red sky early this morning in the Garden.  It's overcast and a bit humid.  The Doodle Dog and I did an early walk around the neighborhood this morning.  It's going to be a busy day.  Unfortunately, not in the Garden.  Lots of errands and meetings and, the list goes on.  Even old, retired guys have to do serious work sometimes!

Mostly cloudy skies here in South Saint Louis right now.  It appears the thunderstorms are going to hold off until this afternoon.  Winds are out of the SSW at 5 to 10 MPH.  Be careful as you journey about today.  Be good and be kind to yourself and those you may meet on your way.  Have a great first Monday of June Gardening Friends!