Autumn-Garden-Creative-Countryside

Clockwise from top left: beautiful pale petals taken as a cutting from my grandma's garden; bare branches towering over the house and garden; accumulating leaves over every inch of the grass; a very healthy and happy rosemary plant; seed pods on the track leading to our house - Bella tries to eat every single one; wonderful orange berries; interesting tree bark designs; a sedum plant in its final phase of colour; the soft scented roses still going strong.

Autumn in the garden can be more vibrant and colourful than many of the summer months, and our garden has delighted us with soft pink hues, deep orange berries and the earthy colours of falling leaves and seed pods. If I'm honest, it's looking a little tired and neglected at the moment, and could do with the weeds being removed as well as even more raking of leaves, but in a way it's quite fitting that in the latter months of the year the garden gradually slows and evolves into a more natural, organic space.

The warmth of October has meant that flowers that normally would be long gone still remain to brighten the gloomy skies of early November, but I know that soon we will only be left with the opulent green of the holly bush and the creaking of the trees as they sway high above in the blustery gales as we approach winter.

My plans for the months ahead in the garden simply involve general tidying and upkeep, perhaps pulling out some of the plants that are past hope of resurrection, although seeing the bare frame of a plant or tree crusted in early morning frost is a sight to behold. What do you enjoy about gardens in autumn? Do you sadden as the plants fall to the ground, or embrace the new shapes that are slowly appearing?

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I'm more than a bit disappointed that I missed September's Year in Books, but I'm back just in time for October! Over the last month (and a bit) I've read Colin Elford's A Year in the Woods: A Diary of a Forest Ranger and it was one of the easiest books I've devoured recently. Not only did it appeal to me to read specifically at this time of year (large proportions of the book describe windswept, rainy days trudging through the forest, or crisp snowy mornings trying to spot the deer), it also was very different to other books I have read in that you can tell it is written by a man passionate about the woods, rather than writing. This did not make it any less enjoyable - the writing was in fact wonderful - but it was his passion for his environment and livelihood that were so endearing, and made me wonder how many of us feel this way about our daily lives.

The book I've just started to read and will continue to do so over the rest of this month is The Dog Listener by Jan Fennell. Those of you who read my last post will recall we have just got a new puppy, and even as I write this she is sat at my feet trying to engage my attention and distract my best efforts to get on with life. In fact I have just resisted and am now sat on the floor with her nose nestled into the crook of my arm. So far our attempts to train have gone fairly well, mainly I believe because we have followed Fennell's advice to ignore the bad behaviour and praise the good. Although not a concept all dog owners will be familiar will, the book I am sure will be an interesting read for anyone with a new puppy or indeed an unruly dog.

On a side note, we have finally sorted the garden out and prepared everything most things for winter. The grass has been strimmed, the patio weeded and most of the veg beds have been laid to rest. Many gardeners and allomenteers dislike this time of year as everything comes to a close and life seemingly seeps from the land as the days draw ever shorter, but I find pleasure in knowing that the earth only lies asleep, dormant in anticipation of the new year and new life.

What have you been reading this month? Have you put your garden and/or veg patch to sleep yet?

As always, for more recommendations or to take part in The Year in Books, head over to the link-up at Circle of Pine Trees and while you’re there, catch up on the other lovely posts written by Laura.

june in the garden

(From top left) the tips of leaves waiting to unfurl; brand new deckchairs; a wave of this pale pink filling the front borders; scented red roses come early in our garden; late blossom that is only now starting to fall; chocolate cosmos (a thoughtful gift from Mr CC); the promise of what is yet to come; potato flowers, dainty and sweet; lettuce and radishes ready to pick.

The garden is pretty magnificent by the time we reach June. Beds have filled in with plants bursting from the soil and the veg patch is starting to yield its first few crops, but it hasn't yet reached the stage where everything becomes overgrown and unruly. That privilege belongs to late July and early August, but I'm getting ahead of myself.

Things to be doing in the garden this month:

• Sow seeds for late beetroot and more lettuce to allow a continuous supply. [More advice here.]
• Plant winter vegetables including cabbages and brussel sprouts. [Top 10 winter vegetables to grow.]
• Harvest second early potatoes, lettuce, peas, broad beans. [How to grow peas here.]

What does your garden look like in June? Are you tempted to grow-your-own fruit and veg?

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May and June are the months when our garden really comes to life; colours pop in every border and vegetables start to thrust out from the soil in earnest. The colour palette is formed from candyfloss pinks, vintage lace creams and soft yellows and is a delight to return home to after a hard day at work.

These images were taken right at the end of May and reflect the cusp of changing seasons:

may in the garden

(From top left) sunlight filtering through the newly formed ash leaves; potato plants about to flower; the bud of a deep red rose; a half formed blast of pink; an explosion of cow parsley; lettuces and radishes tempt; the tendrils of a young pea plant; a haze of pink; a tiny yellow rose on the patio.

Things to be doing in the garden this month:

• Sow seeds for late carrots and kale. [More advice here.]
• Plant out courgettes and runner beans. [Video advice on courgettes here.]
• Harvest lettuces, radishes and early potatoes. [How to grow potatoes here.]

What does your garden look like in May? Do you have the same colour palette as we do?

CC x

Morning lovelies, I've been lusting after florals and bits for the garden this month, so I thought I'd share some inspiration for a summer shopping list.

1. Antique Rose Cushion  (John Lewis) | £30.00

2. Hanging Memory Candle (Nordic House) | £5.50

3. Ceramic Travel Mug (Matalan) | £4.00

4. Garden Deck Chair (Argos) | £29.99

5. The Vintage Tea Party Book (Amazon) | £18.00

6. Barbecue Tool Set (Not On The Highstreet) | £34.95

7. Oil and Vinegar Bottles (Lakeland) | £12.49

Do you have any other items on your summer shopping list? Which of these is your favourite? I'm wavering between the ceramic mug and the candles; surely enough the cheer up the gloomiest of days?!

CC x