Whilst nature's been preparing for its annual rest its been all action here at The Garden Gate.
The energetic removal of a concrete ramp outside our thriving Arts Hut has greatly improved disabled access.
Uneven paving in the large polytunnel has finally been relaid.
An unruly mountain of plant pots and trays has been sifted through and sorted out for ease of use.
The ailing Living Wall along one side of the weather station railings has been dismantled in preparation for an evolving new look inspired by Fritz Lang's Metropolis.
Skips and rubbish bags have been filled and sent packing, and an enormous bonfire topped off with browning asparagus fern burnt on the fifth - clearing space for fresh energy, new ideas and regrowth.
Our long wooden feasting tables and benches have been oiled and stored away until next year.
An area of our vegetable beds has been put to sleep beneath a huge plastic sheet decoratively pinned down by wooden pallets and birch tree offcuts.
On the growing front, elephant garlic and broad beans have been sown and containers of tulip bulbs topped off with wallflowers, daisies and pansies propagated from seed.
And finally, we gratefully received the kind donation of a collection of cacti.
Big thanks to Nick for this report and photos of our recent activities.