“I hope I can be the autumn leaf, who looked at the sky and lived. And when it was time to leave, gracefully it knew life was a gift.”
— Dodinsky
There’s a hush to the air now.
Wildlife gardening in September brings a stillness. The mornings arrive with a little more chill. The soil is damp and pliable. The shadows stretch longer. And the light… oh, the light, has taken on that golden, nostalgic tone that only September brings.
The bees are fewer. The warblers quieter.
And in that stillness, I’ve been noticing more.
The way the wind moves through the seedheads. The quiet rustle of leaves. The soft exhale of a garden shifting gently into its next phase.
It feels like nature is taking a breath.
And I’ve been trying to follow its lead.
Watering gently. Watching the birds feast on the seedheads I’ve resisted clearing. Letting my days unfold with less rush, and more noticing.
The late summer garden doesn’t demand attention.
It simply asks for presence.
If you’ve been craving calm, you’re not alone. September invites us to slow down, to notice more, and to lean into nature’s quiet rhythm as we enjoy the changes happening all around us moving into Autumn.
A Mindful Gardener’s September: Seed Saving, Sketching, and Slowing Down
A Mindful Gardener’s September: Seed Saving, Sketching, and Slowing Down
This month, I’ve been giving myself permission to do a little less and observe a little more. The garden doesn’t need me to be busy, it just needs me to be present.
Here’s what’s been filling my days:
1. Sketching the first pages of the upcoming Winter Wildlife Gardener’s Journal, following the release of the Autumn edition (now available)
2. Saving seeds from fading flower heads… some for sowing, some for scattering in tucked-away corners
3. Letting the mint flower, watching the nasturtiums wander, and marvelling at the intricate webs spiders have begun weaving between tall stems
4. Listening to flocks of geese migrating already; I originally thought this year’s broods were at flight muscle strength training class but there was such a cacophony the drought conditions is waving birds off early…
The quieter days doesn’t quite make sense yet, autumn is busy with creatures fattening themselves up & migration to & from the UK. Whilst it’s warmer it’s busy & I think it’s going to be a warm September. Later on in the season it will be quieter & start slowing down.
And often, those are the seasons where wildlife gardening offers the most stillness and reward.
Recipe: Warming Masala Chai Recipe: A Slow Living Ritual for Autumn Gardeners
If the garden is quiet and the sun a little low in the sky, it’s the perfect time to wrap your hands around a warm mug and lean into a seasonal ritual.
Spicy, warming, and gently grounding: masala chai is the kind of cup that warms you from the inside out. Perfect for that post-garden pause or a mindful mid-morning moment.
You’ll need:
– Black tea (loose or bagged)
– Milk of your choice (plant-based works perfectly too!)
– Sweetener (honey, sugar, maple syrup…)
– A mix of spices: ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, black pepper
To Make:
1. Gently crush your spices to release their scent.
2. Simmer in a saucepan of water with grated or sliced ginger for around 15 minutes.
3. Add your tea and milk, then simmer a little longer.
4. Strain and sweeten to taste.
Tip: Make a larger batch and keep it in the fridge, perfect for reheating whenever you need a little comfort.
Looking Ahead to the Beauty of Autumn
Each month, I like to set a gentle mindful garden challenge… not about perfection or productivity, or to add pressure, but a way to connect with nature through small, seasonal acts for a more enjoyable experience of wildlife gardening.
For September, I’m encouraging you to sow wildflowers in my flourish challenge.
Why now?
Because autumn sowing gives wildflowers time to settle in, establish roots, and rest… so they’re ready to burst into bloom early next spring. It’s one of the simplest ways to create a more wildlife-friendly garden long-term.
Here’s how to do it:
1. Choose a patch of soil in your garden or prepare a seed tray on a windowsill.
2. Use a native wildflower mix or gather and dry your own seed heads from garden plants or hedgerows.
3. Once dry, gently crush them to release the seeds and sow them into the soil.
4. Add a little wish for spring as you do.
It’s a small act of hope… one that your local pollinators will thank you for next year.
This is pollinator gardening at its most peaceful: a hopeful act of care for future bees, butterflies, and hoverflies.
How to Help Garden Wildlife in Autumn: Simple, Intentional Actions
Autumn might seem like the time to wind down, but for wildlife gardeners, it’s also a key season of preparation; for us and for nature.
As we ease into autumn, the garden isn’t the only thing preparing for change. Local wildlife also begins to shift into winter mode and there’s so much we can do to help, gently and meaningfully.
As the nights grow longer and cooler, here’s how you can support local wildlife gently and intentionally:
1. Keep Deadheading for Late-Season Pollinators
As summer slips into autumn, some of your garden favourites are still going strong. Help them keep blooming by deadheading regularly, snipping away faded flowers to encourage more to come… especially late-flowering perennials.
Deadheading doesn’t just extend the colour in your garden; it supports pollinators during a nectar-scarce time. These final bursts of bloom can make a huge difference to tired bees stocking up before winter.
Top tip: Use clean, sharp snips and remove spent blooms just above a healthy leaf node to encourage fresh growth.
2. Plant Spring Bulbs & Biennials
It may feel too early to think about next year, but autumn planting is essential for a thriving spring garden. You’re not just planting bulbs… you’re laying the groundwork for early pollinators.
What to plant now:
- Tulips, daffodils, alliums – for early colour and nectar.
- Foxgloves, wallflowers, lunaria – biennials that establish now and flower beautifully next year.
Why it matters:
These flowers are among the first to bloom in spring, providing a vital food source for emerging bees and butterflies when not much else is available.
Choose organically grown bulbs or those marked ‘pollinator-friendly’ to ensure they’re safe and nourishing for wildlife.
3. Chase the Light: Slow Down and Soak It In
September’s light is low, warm, and golden… the kind of light that makes spider webs sparkle and seedheads glow. This is the perfect time to bring your camera, sketchpad, or journal into the garden and practice a little mindful observation.
Nature photography and sketching can help you:
- Notice wildlife you may usually miss (like solitary bees or moths)
- Connect more deeply with your garden’s subtle changes
- Create meaningful records of your wildlife-friendly planting
Whether you’re capturing the silhouette of a goldfinch or the dance of a falling leaf, this is the season to slow down and observe your garden through the lens of wonder.
Curious about wildlife photography? Check out my blog post with beginner-friendly tips on capturing creatures great and small in your garden.
Even the smallest acts of care can have a big impact.
By caring for wildlife in autumn, you’re helping them thrive through winter and creating a thriving, biodiverse garden year-round.
Looking Ahead to Autumn and Winter Wildlife Gardening Journals
If you’re longing for a slower way to garden through the darker months, our Autumn Wildlife Gardener’s Journal is here.
The beautifully illustrated digital journal Autumn edition is now available and includes:
1. Monthly tips for seasonal wildlife gardening
2. Reflection prompts and space to sketch or journal
3. Planting ideas to support pollinators and garden biodiversity
4. Ways to connect with nature even when the garden is resting
Later this season, we’ll be launching the Winter edition, too – a cosy companion for the quietest months, with ideas for habitat care, seasonal stillness, and moments of mindfulness in even the smallest outdoor spaces.
September Reflections: Embracing Stillness Through Wildlife Gardening and Slow Living
As the world picks up pace again after summer, I hope this corner of calm reminds you that it’s okay to go slow.
To sit still.
To sip tea.
To sow seeds.
To listen to the blackbird and feel the earth shifting beneath your feet.
Wildlife gardening teaches us that even in stillness, there is so much life.
So much beauty.
So much quiet possibility.
The garden may be winding down but in its stillness, there’s so much life.
And in slowing down, we give ourselves the gift of seeing it.
Here’s to chai-sipping, seed-sowing, and savouring the shift.
Wishing you stillness, softness, and a garden that gives back.
Clare
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