Here in Moray September has brought a mixture of beautiful clear days and regular very heavy downpours, both of which have served to keep the garden growing and looking surprisingly green and vibrant for so late in the season. There is no doubt that the days are getting shorter and it really is the last chance to get your cold weather crops ready for the winter.

Every year there I notice just a hint of autumn in the air during August. Dew on the grass first thing in the morning and a subtle change in the quality of light remind me to start getting ready for the leaner months ahead. There are still several weeks of light and warmth ahead but now is the time to maximise your returns for the winter.

What a lovely month July is in the garden. This is the point where the beds are at their fullest and the vegetable garden is filled of the sounds of birds and insects going about their business. It almost seems a shame to start harvesting rows of vegetables and ruin the display! The pace slows down slightly for a while, most of the ground is covered with productive crops and the weeds seem to pause for thought before their next big push later in the summer. But, as we all know, the gardener’s job is never done and there’s plenty to keep us busy!

June is one of the busiest months for gardeners, and midsummer marks an important time in the growing calendar. Racing to get young plants in the ground and keep everything watered, and at the same time trying to keep the weeds at bay, can feel like a thankless task but keep going! Although at the start of the month we’re still in the hungry gap, the fruits of our labours start to appear as the weeks go on, rewarding the efforts we put in through the spring.

The pace really picks up in the garden this month, not only are blossom and buds bursting, but the weeds are also emerging with alarming speed! If you can keep some semblance of control during May, you’ll be well set up for the rest of the year. The combination of sunshine and rain is what really kicks the garden into life.