DREAM PLANT GROW PICK MAKE BUY
MAKE LIFE LOVELY
ORNAMENTAL GRASSES
Fairytale-like and unfussy, a bunch of grassy flowerheads can look just as impressive and mesmerising as an expensive shop-bought bouquet. The trick is to pick lots of different shapes so forage wild grasses from a verge as well as plucking from your garden. Add a few blooms for depth and dimension, and loosely arrange where they’ll catch the light.
Let’s rock!
As the garden slows down, so should you. The motion of rocking regulates breathing, which is why a rocking chair is so conducive to de-stressing, so position one in a sheltered nook or summerhouse. Cosy it up with a cushion, blanket and glowy lighting so you’ll be drawn to it whenever you need to take a moment to contemplate, meditate or just be alone. Sherwood Rocker Garden Rocking Chair, £199.99 gardenesque.com
PUT A LID ON IT A mug with a fitted lid will keep your brew warm and bug-free (and look how cute this one is!). Acorn Mug with Lid, £10 next.co.uk
POSITIVE START A new doormat with a welcoming motif will give your mood a boost as well as your doorstep. Hello Autumn Doormat, £8 matalan.co.uk
SNUGGLE UP Chillier days call for a chunkier blanket to cosy-up outdoor seating. National Trust Chunky Knit Recycled Rust Throw, £50 shop.nationaltrust.org.uk
SPICE UP YOUR LIFE Make a seasonal switch from your usual brew to a Spiced Pumpkin Chai, £9 whittard.co.uk
COLOUR DRENCH Pick up a cheap pot of chrysanthemums from the supermarket or DIY shop to pep up your garden coffee table.
MORNING GLORY Get into the healthy habit of enjoying your first cuppa of the day outside: these comfy seats will soften the blow of leaving a warm bed! Havsten Armchair, Outdoor, Beige, £250 each, Lagaskar Coffee Table, Outdoor, Beige, £50 ikea.com
We LOVE this!
WHAT TO PLANT NOW!
Winter purslane
These little-known leaves, also known as miner’s lettuce, will keep you in fresh salad all through winter until mid-spring, and have pretty white flowers so they’re pleasing to look at too. Happy in a pot as long as they’re kept well-watered and set in a mid-shady spot, sow seeds (£2.50/500 seeds, sarahraven.com) now and they’ll be ready to harvest in 6-8 weeks. To curb their speedy spread, remove the flowers before they turn into seeds.
