[Quince in the picture above from Damson Farm. I still have zero.]

Monday 11 October

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I dash home from work for Sui Searle's talk on decolonising the garden. Still so much to do, so much to think about, so much to challenge.

Tuesday 12 October

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An unexpected night away for the launch of the new Toast collection. A feast of loveliness and then a night in the most opulent bed at the Bradley Hare. I have long been a devotee of Maiden Bradley, a gloriously beautiful village over the border into Wiltshire, and the Bradley Hare is a jewel in the crown. The morning after the night before we look around the community garden in the village. There were onions hanging in an old greenhouse, and a bed of three sisters. I cast an appraising and newly-expert eye over the compost heap arrangements.

Wednesday 13 October

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A dash back from Maiden Bradley to plant up the perennials with Naomi. Beds of grasses and anemones, echinops and echinacea. Now is a perfect time for planting up if you can. The soil is still warm and plants will thrive in the ground. Plants left in pots over winter are so much more susceptible to the cold and that's before you even think about slugs. Pots are dreadful for slugs.

Friday 15 October

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Damson farm. I know, again. If you believe this, my life is one long jolly. What a day though, a whole day of photography with Eva Nemeth.

Saturday 16 October

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There is still colour in the field. Not just dahlias and the odd deep warm yellow hopi sunflowers, but phlox, Erigeron and honeysuckle. My mother's garden is even more sheltered than mine and she has cosmos and roses, as well as curtains of deep red Virginia creeper. I am feeding her cat for her this weekend and I make the most of the opportunity to have a good look round.

Sunday 22 August

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How is this October? I pot up winter leaves, endives and freckled lettuces in the greenhouse and it is positively hot. I plant up different kales in neat rows and hope for the best.