From Harvest to Hope

As October fades into November, the garden settles into a quiet pause. All Hallows’ Eve and All Saints’ Day, rooted in the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, mark the turning of the year from harvest to winter — a moment when the light softens and the earth draws breath. For early communities, it was the final harvest: crops gathered, stores counted, the soil tucked beneath fallen leaves. For gardeners now, the rhythm is much the same. As we clear beds and collect seeds, we join the timeless cycle of death and renewal — what fades above ground already stirring to life below. From the glow of carved turnip lanterns to the ripening of apples and nuts, this season speaks of knowledge, continuity, and quiet faith. It’s also a fitting time to remember Saint Fiacre, patron saint of gardeners, whose care for the living earth reminds us that tending a garden is both nurture and devotion.

Falling Leaves and Raising Funds

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who came along and helped make our Falling Leaves Autumn Open Day on Saturday 18th October such a success. Between pizzas and soup, tea and cake, and our ever-popular plant and craft stalls, we raised over £2,000 — a wonderful total that goes directly towards supporting our ongoing projects and activities. It was a truly enjoyable day, full of friendly faces old and new, and we were once again reminded how much goodwill and generosity sustain our garden and community spirit. Events like this make all the difference in keeping the Garden Gate growing, both literally and figuratively.

Cut Flowers, Fresh Vision

We’re also delighted to share that Thanet Earth has kindly donated £500 towards our exciting new cut flower venture, the brainchild of staff member Rachel van Hoven. Inspired by her grandfather’s legacy as a professional flower grower, Rachel’s vision is to produce a steady supply of locally grown blooms — up to 25 bunches a week, each of 20 stems, from March through to November.

With an elaborate planting plan now in place — carefully balancing colours, forms, and seasonal successions — Rachel and her team are busy planting tulips, sowing hardy annuals, and nurturing perennials to ensure a glorious display next spring.

Tip from the team: November is your last good chance to plant tulip bulbs before the ground becomes too cold or wet. For best results, plant them about three times their depth in well-drained soil, and try mixing varieties for a longer-lasting display.

Crafting, Building, and Belonging

Behind the scenes, our volunteers have been as industrious as ever. Glyn and Simon, along with co-workers James and Ollie, have been hard at work building new polytunnel staging benches out of recycled pallet wood — creating extra space for our expanding seedling production.

A retired contract manager with a background in shop refitting, Glyn takes quiet satisfaction in this kind of purposeful making. “If we can use second-hand materials and recycle things, it brings us joy,” he says, with the kind of practical philosophy that keeps the garden running.

Reflecting on when he first joined four years ago, he smiles: “My blood pressure dropped!”

It’s a reminder that the Garden Gate is more than a place to grow plants — it’s a space where people grow too. Thanks to the dedication of our staff, volunteers, and co-workers, the garden continues to thrive as a hub of creativity, companionship, and calm. Working beside nature, we find our own pace in the turning of the seasons.

Join Our Christmas Wreath Workshops

If you’d like to bring a little of the garden’s beauty indoors this winter, come and join our Christmas Wreath-Making Workshops on Wednesday 10th and Thursday 11th November.

Places cost £20 per head and include all materials. Numbers are limited and these sessions are always popular, so please get in touch soon to reserve your spot — phone, email, or pop by in person.

Wreath Tip: Use a mix of evergreen foliage — such as holly, ivy, bay, rosemary, or eucalyptus — to create scent and texture. A few dried seed heads or hydrangea flowers add a lovely natural touch.

Looking Ahead

At home, now’s the perfect time to plant spring bulbs and mulch your borders to protect tender roots from winter frost. Keep clearing fallen leaves off lawns to prevent yellowing, but do leave a few piles in quiet corners — they make perfect shelters for hedgehogs and overwintering insects. As our Garden Manager Paul likes to say: “The rewards far outweigh the effort of putting them in.”

Until next month, happy gardening from all of us here at the Garden Gate. Do drop in if you’re passing — for a wander, a cuppa, and a chat. We love to see as many people as possible enjoying all the wonderful rewards the garden has to offer.

For more information about our services, events, monthly blog diary & anything else please visit our website:

www.thegardengateproject.co.uk