There’s a subtle but noticeable shift in the air, as August draws to a close and September whispers its arrival. You may not be ready to embrace the shops’ insistence that Halloween is nearly upon us, but there are other ways to welcome autumn slowly, without carving a pumpkin quite yet. There is a slight crispness to the air, which has warmed us for months, as the sun begins its descent behind the hills (doing so slightly earlier than we are used to) and one reaches for the knitwear that has sat, untouched, for many months. Mornings offer a low mist which lingers a little longer in the valleys. The garden keeps its offerings daily, however it’s easy to become somewhat fatigued with the daily watering, pruning and gathering, and begin to long for the tidiness of an organised bed, one without crawling vines and withering squash leaves. The beginning of a new school year on the cusp of a season’s end offers a time for renewal and reflection as we gently prepare for the months ahead.
Savouring Summer
At this point in summer, the thrill of hot days, holidays and festivities begins to dwindle and a slower pace sets in. Optimistic timetables and to-do lists go out the window, whilst we enjoy more time at home and the pressure eases to achieve too much of anything. Now is the perfect time to embrace those long, lazy evenings outside, perhaps now with a blanket for when the evening chill sets in.
The Cotswolds’ inherent bond to agriculture and nature is a wonderful reminder of the bounty of the season, with hedgerows still heaving with fruits and corn stretching tall and green in the fields. An early evening walk reminds you that a slow shift is occurring, with some trees beginning to take on that notable amber hue. The ground is still parched and hard and we’re yet to see what the impact of this dry year will be on autumn’s display.
The farmers’ markets in Stroud and Cirencester and still laden with the season’s offerings, with English tomatoes at their best and corn beginning to make its way. Stone fruit has been gathered, ready to be transformed into a jam or chutney (the evening’s may have cooled, but it’s not quite time for a crumble yet). The act of preserving becomes both practical and mindful as we celebrate the garden’s gifts.
Gentle Preparations
Creating Cozy Spaces - As the season begins its turn, there’s joy to be found in the slow, thoughtful preparation for autumn’s arrival. Consider swapping lighter summer linens for warmer textures and incorporating richer colours as the desire to nest inside grows. This is an ideal time of year to clear out anything unwanted, offering focus and space as we head into the winter months. Welcome a clear out with a warming candle in the evening, there is little better than a flickering candle on a cleared counter top.
Nesting with Nature - A simple walk or drive around the honey-toned cottages of the Cotswolds offers a glimpse in the changing seasons, as the last of the roses mingle with the jewel-tones of the dahlias which are happily showing off their many forms, from dazzling cream dinner plates to happy little yellow sunbursts. As climbers are pruned and the final harvests from salads and beans are gathered, embrace clearing out the beds to make room for winter’s brassicas, if you are prepared, or left satisfyingly emptied as they await a winter’s mulching.
In the Kitchen - While the weather may not yet call for hearty stews and warming pies, there’s a deep satisfaction to be found in the slower, more thoughtful cooking that this transitional time invites. This is the perfect time for dishes which bridge the gap between seasons - roasted root vegetables with gently warming cinnamon, glistening pork braised in local cider and served with roasted apples, a caponata or ratatouille which captures both seasons in one pot. These dishes allow a slower pace without the heaviness of winter food.
Seasonal Living
Intertwined with the slow living ethos that has gained popularity in recent years, perhaps as an antidote to the business of today’s lives, seasonal living is about embracing nature’s shifts and following the rhythm of the season’s turn. Late summer invites a time of reflection and preparation, the perfect time to turn to creative projects as the evening’s still stretch on but the pace slows. A daily walk along the same path reveals subtle shifts - the gradual browning of a hillside, the morning light taking on a more golden glow. The seasonal transition can be a natural opportunity to reassess what truly matters and prepare the home for winter.
As September settles and the first hints of autumn begin to appear, the landscape reminds us that the most meaningful preparations happen slowly. In welcoming the new season gently, we find a better understanding of how to live in harmony with nature and honour the seasons past.