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ANNA TAYLOR, OWNER OF ANNA’S FLOWER FARM IN AUDLEY END, SHARES WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE GARDEN THIS MONTH GARDEN GROW? How does your OCTOBER
the blanket of compost. No less valuable, the beds will look very smart and tidy over winter! The seasons, and the festivals that accompany them, have always fascinated me. On reflection, I think this is what got me into gardening. Tasks like mulching keep me aligned with the here and now. The process and rhythm of activities through the year just doesn’t change. And the same goes for seasonal celebrations; Halloween and the autumn bonfires. I suppose a return to childhood activities – such as bringing in conkers and acorns last month, pumpkins and richly coloured leaves for the table now – is comfort and solace as we all navigate this time. A way to connect to nature, return to craft, slowness, collecting treasures and
ith the days rapidly shortening after the autumn equinox last month, I rely even more on the gardens and tasks to keep me rooted in the season – and I’m even more grateful for celebrations, events and people. As I travel through the year, the connection with the seasons is only more important. The garden keeps growing in its predictable way: narcissus in March, tulips in May, roses in June and dahlias in September. With such little summer to speak of this year, I am keen to plan the next one. In the garden, I start the big task of the season: putting borders ‘to bed’ and mulching. Mulching is the single best thing you can do each year for your
garden. It’s one of those amazingly satisfying jobs that does way more than it should for the effort it takes – it’s also really simple! Essentially, mulching is applying organic material onto the soil, in thick two- or three-inch layers. Organic material is anything ‘natural’, like homemade compost, recycled green waste and well- rotted manure. It can also be coco shells, bark, even gravel. But if you want to give something back to the soil, compost is best. Mulching over moist soil (so that it traps moisture) and around your plants stimulates microorganism activity, adds nutrients, suppresses weeds, improves the structure and prevents erosion. On our garden’s sandy, free-draining soil, this is essential. Improving the soil health this way will nourish your plants and garden in so many ways, as they are tucked up beneath
REGULAR AS CLOCKWORK The rhythm of the seasons can bring comfort and reassurance in a chaotic time, says Anna, pictured below with her dog (photograph by Charlotte Griffiths)
bringing them home to decorate the table or windowsill. I’ve always loved how Jim Ede at Kettle’s Yard gave his found stones, feathers and shells as much value as priceless pieces of art. For a few years, I concentrated on making client wreaths and bouquets. I didn’t do it for myself, as there always seemed to be more important jobs at hand, but am drawn to it again now. This October, I am gathering pieces of turning foliage on branches of berries, tendrils of old man’s beard clematis, tying in grasses and seed heads. You can quite quickly weave this into a circle, tucking branches in around each other until they hold. A little wire to secure, and it will dry on my door, reminding me that there is much joy in making life more beautiful.
98 OCTOBER 2021 CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK
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