Mid-Season Musings

A true sign of the turn of Summer for me has always been blackberries. I remember a lot of my childhood picking them from hedgerows and putting them straight in my mouth. Juices running through my fingers as one comes apart in my hands. Weirdly my Mum sent me pictures yesterday of her haul, and it’s made me want to get some for myself.

Does everyone remember going out and filling tubs and tubs of them and having to sit through some kind of blackberry pudding or jam for weeks afterwards? When I see families in parks on sunny days waist deep in brambles, I smile to myself and remember those days fondly. A core childhood memory for lots of people I’m sure.

This week I’ve been working on the next Summer Edit, and I’ve really noticed the seasonal shift now that we’re in August. Flowers are starting to deepen in their tones and the more vibrant colours are everywhere. Part of me wonders if it’s because there’s so much competition to be the loudest and brightest this time of year.

I’ve been fortunate to get out a couple of times this week to visit some growers and suppliers. I love visiting them, touching base and just getting an understanding of what’s doing well. I’ve got more to share on this soon!

On Instagram last week I shared my favourite summer flowers and foliage, the unexpected picks for people who are looking for something other than a dahlia. This time of year there are so many good options, and sometimes I think we forget when dahlia season is everywhere. Especially if you’re not heading into the market and visiting growers like a florist is.

They are without a doubt in their true stride in August though - and this picture at the flower market yesterday was a testament to that! Quite amazing really.

There’s a real slowness that comes with August and I really try to lean into. Likely ingrained in us as children by school holidays. In my mind it’s always the part of the year where the days are long, nothing has much direction and you’re just constantly finding any reason to be outside. Emails from the park? Sure. Dinner on our laps under a tree? Absolutely.

I’ve got a hit-list of gardens I want to visit over the next few weeks. I’ve been really bad at taking actual time off work, so in August I’m planning to visit one a week in the hopes it makes me slow down. Let's see how it goes.