At summers end

Children are back to school, the sun is shining and that gorgeous autumnal light has returned. The berries are ripe for picking, butterflies are everywhere, the bees are busy and the land is showing signs of slowing down for the winter sleep. It is harvest time, foraging time and jam making time. I am holding out for the rosehips after the first frost. I would like to try my hand at rose hip jelly. I am also dying my silks with hedgerow berries creating a micro collection. I love working with the seasons. Elderberry is such a lush colour, ideal for florists ribbons. Blackberries too. Rowan Mountain Ash berries make a really pretty blush colour on silk, but on polyester velvet ribbon, a glorious pink.

For me, it is also a great time for photography, getting up close to natures wonders. Grasses and seedheads as they curl and dry, leaves as they start to become skeletal creations. Seaweeds washed upon the shore. That last burst of summer flowers as they give a final show of colour.

Time to plant the spring bulbs too for that first food for the pollinators. Choose organic ones if you can as the others often contain chemicals which would not be a welcome meal for the bees.

At summers end, there is much to tidy and prune, sort and remove in the gardens. Seeds to save and dry. Thoughts for the winter ahead and what is needed, jobs to do and plans to make.