Meteorological autumn, or fall if you prefer, began in the Northern Hemisphere on September 1st. Astronomical autumn/fall will not arrive until the equinox on September 22/23. This past week, in the UK or maybe just England, we have had as much rain as we did in February—long ago when 2026 was still new and held some promise. Now the year is nearing its final quarter.
But this is a good time of year. The hedgerows are still full of fruit: blackberries, damsons, elderberries, sloes, bullaces (maybe), rose hips, and likely so much more. Apples, too, are ready—hanging from trees, waiting for eager hands. My neighbour's plum tree still has fruit aplenty. I do wish they would gather up the fallen fruit; if it's not good enough for eating, it would make nice jam!
My potted hazel bush has begun to shed a few of its leaves, readying itself for the end of the season and its winter slumber. My horse chestnut tree, on the other hand—well, poor thing—is only young and small, roughly twenty years into its life. The searing heat of summer confused the youngster, and it shed its leaves as we neared the end of August. But, as the heat lessened, it grew a new set, no doubt thinking spring had arrived.
Now, I must not tarry, for I have tasks to do: the strawberries stored in my freezer are out and thawing, and need to be jammed, and I must collect more sloes for sloe vodka. I am also thinking, as damsons are still around, perhaps I will make some damson gin? Both will be ready to enjoy by the time the winter solstice arrives.
Below, small damsons and ripe blackberries intertwined in the same hedgerow. And a zoom in of my horse chestnut's new leaves.
