This year I bought my husband, the weather buff, a high quality weather station for his birthday. It’s a gift that keeps on giving.

The steady stream of temperature, barometer and rainfall data tighten my garden maintenance schedule.

Each time it rains, the system records it, and later my husband downloads the data. I check the weekly rainfall total. Lawns and newly planted trees, shrubs and perennials need at least an inch (25.4 ml) of water a week. No more guesswork whether the garden needs watering or not.

I always thought my backyard was hotter than the temperatures recorded at Pearson International Airport, which is only 15 km away (less than 10 miles). My backyard faces southwest and is closely surrounded by 2-storey brick buildings (heat source).

I was right! Temperatures this summer were consistently 1 to 2 degree Celsius (2 to 4 F) hotter than the airport. Finally, confirmation of a hot microclimate!

I felt instantly justified in spending $600 on shade trees for the backyard. Once the trees start to shade the house, air-conditioning costs will plummet. YAY! And I might be able to spend some time (i.e. afternoons) in my backyard without feeling on the verge of heatstroke.

Winter is approaching… and I am eagerly waiting to see how cold my backyard becomes. I’m guessing that it’s colder than the temperatures at Pearson.

Oh yes, it was a birthday gift to my husband …