While some of us have put away the lawnmower for the year, the volunteers at St Ethelwold’s continue clearing and replanting the garden in late November.

The peace pole (added early in 2024) stands near the flooded River Thames, a symbol of tranquillity in turbulent times.

There is usually a robin or two to be heard in the garden and if you are lucky they can be seen as well.

Can you believe it? Roses still blooming in late November!

Less surprising are the dried seed heads kept as much for their beauty as to reseed next year, like this honesty.

Today and tomorrow two hundred trees (already allotted) are being given out from St Ethelwold’s Garden as part of a tree growing initiative. They include: Hazel, Hawthorn, Wild Cherry, Wayfaring Tree, Spindle, Birch, Crab Apple, French Maple, Guelder Rose, and possibly others.

This weekend, there will be wreath-making workshops (already booked up). These festive creations will incorporate aromatic dried oranges and limes. All proceeds from the workshop will go towards an accessible toilet at St Ethelwold’s. The profits from the monthly coffee and cake events during 2024 also supported this project. However, in December the proceeds will go to the Abingdon Food Bank and Crisis at Christmas to help those in need at Christmas.

Volunteers at St Ethelwold’s have been clearing and dividing the clumping plants and on the plants stall are Hemerocallis ‘Primal Scream’.

Yesterday, a group of children were in the garden helping during half term to clear leaves. More leaves have fallen since then. This morning was misty with an autumn feel.

Cobwebs were strung on plants and other fixed objects around the garden.

A crow cawed from a perch high up in the biggest tree – now bare of leaves – and then flew away toward the Old Gaol.

A robin came down, first to the mossy wall, and then to the large tree to sing.

St Ethelwold’s House has a seasonal display on the welcome desk with crocheted pumpkins and orange plants and fruit.

Volunteers were cutting up twigs and sorting out compost.

I turned a handful of compost and small creatures crept and crawled back under the surface, preferring to be hidden. As today turns to evening and night, other creatures will appear in the garden’s quiet corners, creatures that prefer the darkness.

Two weeks ago, I saw John Killick at the Climate Emergency Centre offering Biodiversity tours of St Ethelwolds Garden. Unfortunately, I didn’t have time then, and have popped down since but not found him again. Maybe I’ll do a report on Biodiversity in September.

I noticed that some parts of the garden, once vibrant, are now ripening with lots of seeds.

The south facing orange yellow border is a bright as ever

as is the border of white flowers with pots of Cosmos along the side of the house.

The herb garden has the refreshing scent of mint and chives.

There aren’t many birds, probably because people are usually around. There are lots of bees and flies and spiders, but few wasps. There have been more headlines about the disappearance of wasps. “Where have all the wasps gone?”

The other noticeable feature of August are the maturing fruit such as these apples.

Visitors don’t usually pick the fruit themselves but are welcome to the windfalls and teasle cuttings.