For a moment during the month of September, and after the harvest from the kitchen garden and orchards is mostly over, there is a pause that descends upon the garden. It relaxes back into itself and over the paths, throws asters, rose hips and bright pink nerine and the greens lean into its tawny last chapter. As the growing season runs its course and the bulbs arrive in the post, a time of planning and increasing activity falls upon us and, once again, this window of reflection is over. 

I have always considered the autumn to be the start of the gardening year and love this moment for the growing season slowing on the one hand and, on the other, the prospect of winter engagement. Mental notes made during the summer can be put into action, there are adjustments to be made, and our benign and generally kind winter allows for a whole season to get on with the tasks that go towards bettering the garden.