RHS Harlow Carr in September

Meteorologically autumn, but still feeling like summer on a lovely, blue-skied day. The gardens are still full of life and colour, but now with distinct signs of changes to come with the beginnings of “mellow fruitfulness”. The vegetable gardens have much produce to show, and to harvest presumably. The flowers are still welcoming insect life in some abundance. The changes are subtle, but definitely there – but surely this is a positive thing. There is an autumn to be dealt with and indeed a winter that lies beyond it, but without these seasons of seeding and resting there will be no spring resurrection. Always joys to come – though questions being raised about climate change and so on might make us a little less complacent in that assertion. Always joys to come, as long as we take care of it.