Garden Reflections: Resting, Resetting & Readying for a New Year

Encore Endeavours – Gardening, Growth & a Few Surprises

If my last garden blog was all about healing through growing, then this one is about what happens next: slowing down, looking back, and quietly preparing for another year of green-fingered chaos.

Because while the garden and I have both grown massively this year, now comes the moment where everything—plants, soil, gardener—takes a deep breath.

And goodness, after this season, we’ve earned it.

Looking Back on a Beautifully Bountiful Year

This has been my best gardening year yet. The kind where you stand back and think, “Did I actually grow all this? Me?”

There were strawberries and raspberries (the ones that even made it to the freezer before I turned them into jam). There were beetroots, onions, squash, the last heroic Brussels sprouts, courgettes, peas, turnips, carrots, cucumbers, and of course—my beloved elephant garlic. Two bulbs grew this year and both are now safely replanted, tucked in like precious treasure with the hope of a full crop next summer.

We picked pumpkins for Halloween, ate artichokes fresh from the garden, and enjoyed a final frenzy of beetroot and squash before the season finally exhaled.

Of course… It wasn't all success. Let’s talk about the sweetcorn, or rather, let’s not. We lost the lot, again!. Sweetcorn and I clearly do not get on.

But that’s gardening there's been triumph, a little disaster or two, and the occasional sweetcorn crisis

A Year in Jars: The Preserving Chronicles

This year wasn’t just about harvesting—it was about holding on to the joy. I’ve already made blackberry and apple jam, redcurrant jelly, strawberry jam, and raspberry jam… Well, the strawberries and raspberries are still in the freezer waiting for their turn, but the enthusiasm is there, I promise.

It’s deeply satisfying seeing the colours lined up in jars, like edible memories of summer ready to brighten winter mornings and a little taste of summer sunshine in a jar.

There is of course the pickled beetroot both red and white also jarred, quite a haul to carry us through the winter.

Putting the Garden to Bed

Autumn is the season of gentle endings. A time to tuck the garden in, pull up the last leeks, admire the final pumpkins, and pretend you aren’t absolutely freezing while doing it and dodging the rain.

This week amongst other things  I’ve:

• Planted elephant garlic and general garlic from my own saved bulbs

• Planted three types of onions (ambitious or overexcited—you decide)

• Lifted the final few leeks

• Mixed in seaweed from the beach to nourish the soil

• Cleared the plots ready for their long winter rest

The fruit trees are already pushing out tiny buds — proof that the garden is never really asleep, just dreaming.

A New Challenge Blooms: Wedding Flowers!

Next year brings something completely new and slightly terrifying…My son has asked me to grow the wildflowers for the table decorations at his summer wedding.

On one hand: He believes I can turn my hand to anything. On the other: The pressure!

What if the summer decides to have a monsoon?What if the slugs organise a coordinated attack?What if the sweetcorn curse spreads to the cosmos? (or whatever is in the plan to plant)

I’ll need a backup plan — something between a professional florist and bribing guests to pretend they’re admiring invisible blooms ( or bring their own perhaps?)

But I’m honoured. Truly. It’s an Encore Endeavour in its purest form: exciting, daunting, meaningful, and all powered by hope.

Collecting sweet pea seeds for next year

A Season of Rest (For Both of Us)

The garden needs a pause, and so do I. Winter is its chance to rest, renew, and gather strength for the spring ahead. As I reflect on this year, on the healing, the growth, the surprises, I realise I’m doing the same.

We’re both preparing. We’re both quietly building what comes next. And next year? Well, it promises to be extraordinary—for the garden, and for our family.

There are other challenges ahead (you’ll read about them in upcoming blogs), each one an endeavour in its own right. But for now, it’s time to breathe out, put the beds to rest, and enjoy the gentle promise of the winter months.

Over to You…

• How has your garden (or hobby) changed you this year?

• Are you preparing yours for winter too?

• Have you ever said yes to a challenge that scared you just a little?

I’d love to hear your stories — pop them in the comments below.