Seems like only yesterday it was summer '“ Southsea Green

Then came the rain, enough to rescue our favourites. We'd wondered if global warming was coming sooner than forecast?  Should we begin Mediterranean gardening and pave our lawns? I hope not. I'd miss my cottage garden in its full glory.

Now it's autumn and the trees look wonderful in their yellow, rust and gold mantle. Wild winds and rain will bring the rest of the leaves down. It may seem gloomy, but now's the time to plant our early spring bulbs and action the plans we worked out in the spring. Time to order our tulips, daffodils and shrubs that we've seen at our friends' or at stately homes.

I wish you happy planting for colourful hours in all your gardens, no matter how large or small.

[Pat has been a patron of Southsea Green for seven years]. Go to southseagreen.uk.