Late Autumn Gardening

Despite the near constant rain in October and November, our house renovations needing  to take priority if we stand any chance of having a comfortable home again for Christmas, 

Despite numerous Uni visits with our oldest child and a busy time for my garden consultancy  We managed  a few productive days cutting back most of the summer growth so we could get a clear picture of what was thriving and what needs attention over the winter.  

While I would normally try and leave some growth standing as overwintering habitat for the local wildlife this year I really needed to be able to get a clear view of the garden while it's dormant over the winter.

Fear not there is still room for wildlife!

There's also the continued silence from our builder.  With new paths and seating areas needed we're at a bit of a standstill until the work is completed, but he's currently on another project so we just have to wait until we reach the top of the list.  My plans are drawn up and the temporary, wobbly, but functioning path up to the front door is still in place.  

I'm looking forward to Christmas at home this year.  Last year; with holes in the walls, dust everywhere and new plaster drying in all the main rooms of the house, we didn't bother with decorations so this year I'm excited to be able to decorate using natural resources from the garden.  

In early December there was a wreath making morning with my mum.  It's a tradition that has been going on for a few years now, we spend a couple of hours gently chatting with a cuppa while we decorate wire frames with foliage cut from our gardens and the local area.  (Mum can't resist a trip to the local woods to forage for a few sprigs of holly with proper red berries in the run up to our session)  This year I'm going to have a go at making a natural wreath frame using willow cut and twisted into a framework for holding the foliage.  I'm also going to try a slightly different method of tying on the foliage to see how it works.

As 2025 draws to a close I would like to finish this blog by wishing everyone a joyful Christmas and a happy and healthy 2026.  I will be back in January with more blogs and updates from my garden and allotment.

Helena. x

Natural Wreath Making, My How to Guide:

To start with I selected 12 stems from my willow dome with stems around 1m in length.  Once I'd prepared the stems by bending them along their length I was able to create a rough circle, starting at the fat (butt) end of each stem and winding the thin (tip) end around until the hoop was stable enough to add further stems.  Each time I took care to wind in the same direction and staggered where the butt started to avoid too much bulk in one spot.

The next step was to bundle stems of evergreen foliage together which I would then attach to my frame with string.  I made about 12 of these but I probably could have made more and put them closer together to create a fuller wreath if I had wanted to.

Next I used jute garden twine which is my go to in the garden.  I looped a thicker twine around the wreath to create a hanging look then tied in the binding piece so I could start to add my foliage bundles.  You can see my trusty Felco 6 secateurs in the background which are another one of my garden essentials and have been with me since I started college in 1992!

Starting at the top of the wreath, I attached each bundle by winding the garden twine around the willow hoop until I got back to the beginning.  Any obvious gaps were then filled with additional foliage to create the finished look.  

oops! I need a better hanger for the door.