October

October saw a big last hurrah from the garden- abundance and decay in a few short weeks. We were short on rain this summer, and then it arrived, with full, unrelenting force in the middle of the month, and the crop slowly started to succumb.

A busy few days were spent harvesting anything that could be dried and preserved as a winter crop of everlastings before being dashed and rotted in the deluge. Armfuls of Amaranthus, taller me (not hard though, I’m on the short side), bucket-loads of statice, and the last of the Nigella pods- all bunched and strung upside down to dry. I’d harvested stems to dry as I went this summer too, strawflowers, achillea, and feverfew- and strung up bunches upon bunches of Nigella, Ammi, and grasses in the polytunnel to be naturally bleached by the sun. I was a little slow to bring them into the studio when the weather changed and the moisture returned with the autumn, and lost a couple of bunches to mildew. Lesson learnt. Still, the studio has never looked so full as it does now - and it’s pure, colourful, everlasting joy.

The sowing of the hardy annuals began in earnest. Tray upon tray of spring flowers- daucus, cornflowers, corncockle, Cerinthe, Ammi, honesty, larkspur- and many more. This year has been completely different- usually it’s a game of juggling space on windowsills in the house, but this year there’s a green house with all the light and protection a seedling could want. I have to admit, although I’ll never knock a windowsill as they saw me through my first 4 years of growing, it’s so much easier with a greenhouse!

The late succession of sunflowers sung autumn colours in rusts and yellows- sown in June and July, the timing was perfect to keep a successional crop going. I’ve written notes in my diary to do the same again next year. Double Dandy was hands down the loveliest variety I grew, in easy-to-design-with shades of soft caramel and peach.

The roses continued to flush, no early frosts holding them back, and the zinnias finally came into their own after I almost forgot to sow them at all in the busy spring months.

It’s been a whole month of Stella now, and she’s been the loveliest, sweetest addition to the pack. She keeps Jimmy company, and in return he’s been the best puppy-sitter I could ask for. They follow each other around; inseparable and in love. She’s nothing but pure joy, tail wagging, and happy-go-lucky, unlike our funny boy Jim, who can be a little sulky and serious at times. When I’m out with the plants, she likes to sit on the stone and oversee the work. The pair of them make me laugh, and I love having them around.

The flowers continued to bloom and be made into arrangements- I made October meadows for a birthday and anniversary, and if you squinted, it still seemed like summer.

The very last Best In Garden bouquets were sent this month, and I’ll be sad to see them go for the season. It’s been a joy, and a lot of work that’s kept me happy and afloat to grow flowers for another year. I’m deeply, deeply grateful for each and every one that went out. So thank you.

And finally, in the final few days of the month, I went to the sea to watch the waves crash on the Cornish coast in the rain. It was heaven. Tracing my maternal ancestors back- from my grandmother onwards- they’re nearly all Cornish folk, I went to visit the towns and villages where they lived, visited their graves, and felt a strong longing to head down this way for good. Maybe one day.