I try to take photos of my garden over the year so that I can look back and see how it’s working. I keep the odd written note when I have an idea that I don’t have time to try straight away. I can’t pretend that I’m as consistent with all of that as I’d like to be, but there’s something about moving from late summer into early autumn that encourages me to really take stock and reflect on how things have gone.
Thinking about the garden as we move from summer into autumn is a bit like the debrief after a party. Best laid plans have unravelled mostly quite well but a few things could have gone better. Individuals, who could have clashed, got on really well whilst one or two others didn’t seem to enjoy themselves at all. As you remove empty bottles, wipe the sticky floor and work out who the mislaid jacket belongs to, you find a few tasty leftovers and the odd unopened bottle – treats to enjoy for a bit longer yet.
The lush growth of spring and early summer are well behind us, and the drying seedheads are reminders that the magic of autumn is on its way. It’s time to sit down with a cup of tea in a favourite corner of the garden and think about what it would be good to remember for next year.
Here are a few of my ‘after the party’ notes to self:
- Stick to the plan and try to avoid the temptation of too many special offers from friends or shops
- Make a written pruning schedule – so that those important tasks aren’t missed or done at the wrong time
- Reduce the number of plants in pots – not many like the inevitable changes in moisture levels
- You can’t store too much water – and time spent working out how to use it for irrigating veg will really pay off
- There need to be times when you just sit and look at the garden – make comfortable places to do this
