An Almost A to Z of Autumn
I was originally going to write a full A to Z of Autumn but then I got to U and Z and some other letters and didn’t think it was fair to make you read my struggled attempts to find tenuous links to Autumn. So instead I’ve written an Almost A to Z of Autumn. It’s full of the best parts of the season.
Artichokes, this is the time of year when artichoke heads dry on the plants and look beautiful because of their natural structures. I’ve collected a few to spray gold and use on my Christmas wreath this year.
A is for Artichoke
Bonfire smells. One of my favourite things to do is a Sunday afternoon walk through Brighton in late Autumn, smelling all the bonfire smells before spending a cosy evening inside.
Crisp leaves. Nothing more satisfying than the perfect crunch of a dried leaf underfoot.
Darker evenings. I don’t mind the longer nights drawing in, ask me in February though and that’ll be a different matter.
Firework night excitement. I grew up with a small back garden but that didn’t stop my Dad making a huge effort with the annual firework display. We had sparklers and all the possible health and safety measures supplied by Mum. The evening was always topped off with hot dogs covered in ketchup and eaten outside with our woolly gloves on.
Spotted this gourd growing on the veg patch at Standen House National Trust.
Gourds. The funkiest looking veg around. They’re seasonal, great in a soup or risotto and also a brilliant pumpkin substitute for Halloween carving.
Halloween. I have so many fond memories of Halloween. Me and my sister would go down the road to our friends’ Halloween Party and their house couldn’t possibly be crammed with more Halloween themed games or decorations if it tried. Watch this space for Halloween pumpkin ideas, there’ll be a blog post up nearer mid October.
Mini pumpkin. Perfect if you don’t want a ginormous pumpkin going squidgy on the windowsill.
Leaves. It’s our last chance to see the trees full of leaves until Spring and they put on a spectacular grand finale with their leaves turning gold, amber and red.
Poppy seed heads. Now’s the time to collect them when they’re drying out. These look so effective arranged together in a bunch. I have a collection gathered up and resting on top of my bookcase in the lounge. You can also spray them with sparkly Christmas colours and use them as decorations later on in the year.
Collect poppy seed heads and let them dry naturally in a bunch at home.
Dried rosehips have a beautiful silhouette and hold their own in a vase. Also great in an Autumn wreath.
Rosehips. These are the end result of a summer of roses. They’re orange and red jewels that adorn all the rose bushes and shrubs. Beautiful in a bouquet or autumnal wreath. Check out Wild Sage and Co’s Instagram for their tips on Rosehips and other seasonal produce.
Soup. I suddenly like eating soup again after a long hot summer. Potato and leek is up there as one of my favourites.
Telly and Tea. All of the dramas and good tv are on because everyone’s spending more time indoors and less time in the pub garden. Bodyguard anyone? Tea is also absolutely so much more well earned and delicious when you come inside from a cold and blustery Autumnal day. I only started enjoying tea when I became a florist. Partly to have the excuse to hold onto a warm mug in winter.
Woolly jumpers. I love the opportunity to wear a roll neck, I have my favourite black turtle neck jumper that I have to try not to wear every day.
I’d love to hear if there’s anything you’d like to add to the list. Get in contact here and let me know your favourite things about this time of year.
