A brilliant beginning of the day here in the Carondelet Garden.  Low humidity.  Lots of sunshine.  Blue skies and puffy white clouds (as Bob Ross would say).  We should see sunshine throughout the day with highs in the mid to upper 80s.  The winds are light and variable.  An absolutely banging day here in south Saint Louis.

It's Labor Day weekend.  How did that happen?  The last Friday in August.  It is hard for this old gardener to wrap his head around it.  Back in the olden times school didn't begin until the day after Labor Day and that was always the beginning of Autumn for me.  It still makes me feel like Fall is in the air.  The Fall lettuce seedlings are beginning to sprout their little heads above the ground.  My first try in new seedling trays was a total bust.  I tried again and it is a total success.  Who knows?  I will not be using those seedling trays again that's for sure.

Our beautiful niece will be joining us for some Antique Adventures this weekend.  Always a fun time.  Let the markets, fairs and Fall Festivals begin!  That's all the news from here in the Carondelet Garden.

It's a sunshine-filled morning here in the Carondelet Garden.  The Garden Doodle and I had a lovely walk around the neighborhood this morning.  The skies were blue.  There was a slight breeze and brilliant sunshine shining down.  A grace-filled walkabout on this mid-week Wednesday.  We should see sunshine all day with highs near 80 this afternoon.  Winds are light and variable.  

Am I alone in wondering where August went?  I blinked and it's almost September.  Time is fleeting and it goes faster and faster the older I get. 

A busy day ahead for the old gardener.  Watering needs are still constant with the lack of rain lately.  I'm going to finish trimming my neighbor's bushes.  I started before the heat wave but never finished since the dumpster out in the alley was full.  The weather should be perfect today.

It's almost September.  Labor Day is just a few days away and that is always the beginning of Fall for this old gardener.  The season of Fall Markets and Maker's Fairs, Octoberfests and Antique Days.  Fall is my favorite time of year! 

It's a good day to knock off a few chores.  A good day to enjoy the sunshine and the amazing weather.  A good day.  That's all the news from here in the Carondelet Garden.

It is an absolutely gorgeous morning here in the Carondelet Garden.  The Garden Doodle and I did our morning walk with temps in the upper 50s!  Simply stunning weather for August in Saint Louis.  We should sunshine all day with highs in the mid 70s.  Winds are out of the NNW at 5 to 10 MPH.  A perfect day here in south Saint Louis.

The weather was so perfect this past weekend the Garden was absolutely begging for attention.  We gave it all we had.  Our Winter Squash is doing well.  The Peppers are coming in full force right now.  The weeding is going well again.  We still have to water since it has been very dry around here.  The final mulching of the season is going to begin this week as well.

One of the biggest problems we have had is in our small grassy yard area.  It is a very small rectangle that we have left for our little Doodle to do her do.  We have planted mini white clover instead of grass.  We had Tall Fescue and it was great except for Doodle urine.  The clover is totally okay with that and looks very good.  Our issue is this invasive Japanese Stiltgrass.  It grows quickly and is incredibly invasive.  It will take over a yard so quickly and then move into the garden as well.  It is quite the thug plant.  I've found the best way to deal with it is by hand pulling.  We filled four trugs of it.  Do not put it into your compost pile as it will infest itself.  You have to dispose of it.  Getting it before it seeds is the only way to control it.  I've noticed it all over the neighborhood.  I can't use normal herbicides on my lawn as it will also kill the clover.  I am stuck with hand pulling in the yard.  

Anyone else dealing with Japanese Stiltgrass?  If you have ideas or suggestions, please share!  It's been a struggle this late Summer.  Invasive plants are quite the problem!

The good news is the beautiful weather allows us the opportunity to get outside and take care of business.  Here's to a wonderful week in the Garden.  I hope you get to get outside and enjoy this late summer respite.  That's all the news from here in the Carondelet Garden.

"Oh, what a beautiful morning!"  I couldn't have said it better that Oscar Hammerstein II.  It is a beautiful morning here in the Carondelet Garden in south Saint Louis.  Low humidity.  Temperatures in the upper 60s.  Sunshiny skies.  Life is good here in the Midwest on this Friday morning in August.  We should see sunny skies most of the day with highs in the low 80s.  Winds are out of the NE at 5 to 10 MPH.

It's a busy day here in the Carondelet Garden.  My chores list is getting longer by the minute.  Honestly, I can't wait to get started.  The break in the weather has energized this old gardener.  Short and sweet this morning.  That's all the news from here in the Carondelet Garden.

It is a beautiful morning here in the Carondelet Garden in south Saint Louis.  The skies are sunny and the humidity is noticeably lower.  Cooler temperatures are expected which is a welcome relief from the unending heat wave of the past few weeks.  We may see a few clouds move in but generally sunny skies this afternoon.  Highs will be in the upper 80s with winds out of the NE at 10 to 15 MPH.  It is a lovely change!

I have to admit I am over Summer.  I am over the heat.  I am over the humidity.  I am ready for Fall.  I am ready to make Leaf Mould.  I am ready for Fall Festivals and Markets.  I am ready for drives in the country and discovery new, out of the way diners.  I am ready for squash season and Dr. B's Butternut Squash soup.  I am done with Summer.  The slightly cooler temperatures this morning reminded me that Autumn is coming but I also know this is Saint Louis and we will have at least one if not two more heat waves before it is over.  

The older I get the less I am able to work in the intense heat.  I get some time in the early mornings and then I am done.  I am looking forward to the cooler temperatures of the next few days and weeks.  I am ready to get some weeding done.  I have Winter Squash to attend to.  I have trellis' to build.  The mulching will also begin again after the weeding is finished.  Bottom Line:  a long list of things I would like to get done while the cooler temperatures hang around.  

Yet, the Zinnias are beautiful right now.  The sun is shining. The temperatures are cooler.  The humidity has finally broken a bit.  Joy and Grace on this mid-week Wednesday morning here in the Garden.  As the old throw pillow says:  "It's a good day for a good day!"  Enjoy this break in the weather gardening friends.  That's all the news from here in the Carondelet Garden.

Another sunny, hot and humid day here in the Carondelet Garden.  It feels a bit like that movie "Groundhog Day" around here weather-wise.  The Heat Advisory continues for Saint Louis for yet another day but there is hope on the horizon with a cool front coming in mid-week which should provide us with some much-needed relief.  Today it will be sunny with highs near 100-degress F and winds out of the South at 5 to 10 MPH.  Hang in there gardening friends!

Dr. B put her propagation skills to use last Winter, and early Spring and we were able to create several hanging baskets from her labors.  This front porch beauty if an example of a no-cost stunner.  Well, to be honest, the eucalyptus was purchased as an add on, but the rest were all from last season.  We are definitely planning on doing this again.  Very, very happy with the results!

I am working on gratefulness lately. The world and all of the chaos surrounding our country, state and city can be overwhelming.  I'm trying to break through the noise and celebrate the good that still survives.  Goodness and beauty are around if we take a moment to actually stop and look for it.  Something as simple as a lovely garden basket on the front porch.  A bit of grace for this Monday morning in August.  Take a little time to witness a bit of beauty and grace this week if you can.  That's all the news from here in the Carondelet Garden.

It is sunny and humid again today here in the Carondelet Garden in south Saint Louis.  We may see a few afternoon clouds roll in with winds out of the South at 5 to 10 MPH.  A Heat Advisory is back for the next five days or so.  High temperatures near 100-degrees.  I'm ready for Autumn!

The patio plants have done remarkably well in spite of the weather this season.  We have been lucky in our propagation program and haven't really had to purchase too many plants for our patio.  You can teach an old gardener a few new tricks.

We are heading out for the Garden Doodle's playdate.  She wants and needs the social interaction with other doggies.  It's good for her little Doodle brain and it gives us a chance to do a little antique shopping.  Fun stuff for a hot Friday.

Here's to a little fun and relaxation after a busy week.  If you are ables, take a little time for yourself to reset and relax.  It's good for the mind, body and spirit!  That's all the news from here in the Carondelet Garden.

A beautiful, sunny day here in the Carondelet Garden on this mid-week, mid-month Wednesday morning.  We should see skies turning partly cloudy this morning and they should give way to occasional showers during the afternoon.  The high should be in the upper 80s with winds out of the North at 5 to 10 MPH.

The flowers have been such a gift in the Garden this year.  This smiling sunflower is a bit of grace on this Wednesday morning.  We have been extraordinarily busy these past few weeks.  Helping with family, doctor's appointments, tests, more tests, a few outings, and the normal things one does to keep life moving forward.  In a word:  Busy.  

Busy-ness has its place but we have moved into a new phases in our lives.  A bit slower.  A more gentle life.  Taking the time to do the little things and enjoy them while they are here.  One of the great joys of getting older is you finally take the time to notice and enjoy things again.  A bit of wonder restored in a world filled with anger and chaos.  A bit of ordinariness that helps regulate the madness.  That is what we crave right now.  A simple ordinariness.  

A simple, ordinary life filled with grace and wonder.  That is where joy lives.  I'm currently reading Dr. Kerry Burnight's book:  Joyspan:  The Art and Science of Thriving in Life's Second Half.  I highly recommend it.  It teaches us that our existence is more than getting by.  It's meant to be lived in joy and wonder.  Aging is not easy.  The aches and pains and loss are very real!  Yet, there is so much we can still learn and do.  We can be the helpers now.  We can thrive!

The book talks about life's second half but I believe it is important for everyone to read this book.  Discover that it isn't how long you live but how you live and give and thrive!  A bit of joy shared on this Wednesday morning.  That's all the news from here in the Carondelet Garden.

It's a sunny start to the day here in the Carondelet Garden in south Saint Louis.  We should see abundant sunshine all day with highs in the mid-90s.  Winds are out of the SSE at 10 to 15 MPH.  A beautiful summer Friday.

The veggies have been coming in on a regular basis here in the Garden.  We started by harvesting our sweet onions.  They were a big win for us this year.  The Transylvania garlic did well and is a big hit with Dr. B in the kitchen.  The snackable peppers are coming in on a regular basis right now and are delicious.  Pretty happy with the harvest so far.  Looking forward to more eggplant and winter squash this fall.  Now it's time to start our Winter lettuce!

The joy of gardening is it is constantly changing.  Every day is a new adventure.  Sometimes it is a glorious thing.  Other times you are crying over the death of a beloved plant.  It is truly the circle of life here in the Garden.  

We are putting in a new raised bed in the Parterre Garden.  The goal is for no one to see the bed itself.  We are trying to raise up the back of the garden near the house for a big of height and add more interesting plants.  We shall see how it goes.  

Here's to a great beginning of the weekend.  Be good to yourself and kind to others as you journey about.  That's all the news from here in the Carondelet Garden.

The humidity has returned to the Carondelet Garden on this first Wednesday of the month.  The temperatures are still quite nice for now, but we should see highs in the 90s by this afternoon.  A few afternoon clouds but mostly sunny skies.  Winds are out of the SE at 5 to 10 MPH.

I love the color purple in the Garden.  Purple flowers can be used in various ways to create a vibrant and harmonious garden.   One of our favorite reasons is that purple seems to really attract pollinators.  Such a joy to see the butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees buzzing around the purple blooms.  Especially now as we get into the Dog Days of summer.  An added benefit is many purple plants are also drought tolerant!

It's that time of year when the patio tomatoes have given us their best and their last.  It is time to compost and clean pots and put them away until next year.  Always a bit sad.  My sweet niece was really heart-broken when I told her they were over.  "NOOOOO!" Unfortunately, yes!  We planted very early in the season and were harvesting our first tomatoes in May!  We have no complaints!  The rest of our heirlooms are really suffering.  I'm not sure they are worth continuing between the extended heat wave and the torrential rains, not to mention the squirrels, it has not been a banner season.  We have enjoyed quite a few.  They may not be the prettiest tomatoes, but they certainly are tasty!

Being a Gardener teaches us gratitude.  We must be grateful for the gifts we have been given.  Some years the gifts are abundant.  Some years less so, but that doesn't make the gifts less sweet!  Enjoy the rest of this first full week of August!  That's all the news from here in the Carondelet Garden.

The sun is shining, and the skies are blue.  The humidity is low, and the temperatures are so very pleasant.  A beautiful morning here in the Carondelet Garden.  We should see skies becoming partly cloudy this afternoon with showers or thunderstorms moving in.  The highs should be in the mid-80s with winds out of the NE at 5 to 10 MPH.

I love the simplicity and scent of Marigolds in the Garden.  The Marigold holds significant biblical meaning, symbolizing devotion, love, and purity. Its vibrant golden color is reminiscent of the sun, representing the divine light and glory.  What a bit of grace throughout the summer.  It is also incredibly easy to grow and a great companion plant to tomatoes!

Another busy week for the old gardener.  Heading out the door soon to get a few chores done.  It's a good day to stop and smell a Marigold.  Enjoy the beauty and let it remind us that grace is available to us, here and now.  It can be hard to remember in a world filled with chaos and anger.  Take a moment to stop and enjoy the glory of a Garden.  A moment of grace and gratitude.  That's all the news from here in the Carondelet Garden.

An absolutely gorgeous morning here in the Carondelet Garden.  The sun is shining, the birds are singing, the humidity is finally gone.  The heat wave has ended for now and we are breathing a sigh of relief.  A few clouds may hang around this morning, but sunshine should rule the day.  A bit hazy with the Air Quality Alert here in the Metro area.  The highs should be in the, wait for it, LOW 80s.  Winds will be out of the NE at 10 to 15 MPH.  A simply glorious day!

Helping out my beautiful niece with some painting and whatever else may need to be done. It's been a busy week, and the weekend is getting off to a busy start as well.  No complaints here!  It is a joy and a privilege to be able to help when needed.  

It's a good day for a good day!  Be good to yourself and kind to others as you journey about on this first day of August.  Where did July go?  It will be Autumn before we know it!  I'm enjoying the fresh air and cool breezes.  A good day indeed!  That's all the news from here in the Carondelet Garden.