"The gentle decline of the Autumn garden is reflected in our rolling Vineyards here on the Estate. Fields of golden leafed vines boast one of Hambledon's most romantic seasons, and the entire estate is now a rich tapestry of rustic colours."
On the estate, church bells can be heard down in the village, while leaves dance on the crisp wind and glide gently to the ground. The unmistakable scent of decaying foliage fills the air as we rake them up, ready to be bagged for leaf mulch. The colder days mean the team can focus on putting the gardens to bed, pruning back the herbaceous borders and starting to bring those tender plants indoors that won't survive the winter.
Borders are being mulched, crops brought in and winter vegetables planted out. The team have begun planting bulbs across the estate and soon we will begin working on our
woodland areas, creating dead hedges from cut materials for wildlife.Our croquet lawn is has been given feed that’s rich in iron, which helps keep the grass healthy and green. This autumn, we chose not to do any scarifying and aerating (deep cleaning or creating holes in the lawn) because the layer of dead grass and roots—known as "thatch"—is already quite thin, so it didn’t need it
We have also been busy clearing out the old lavender and other leggy plants from the beds and borders around Mill Down House, in preparation for replacing them in the spring with fresh planting ideas with the help and guidance of the lovely Diana Hart Dyke.
What is at its best now?
In terms of what's looking it's best in the garden. I would have to say that the Dahlias are 
still putting on a magnificent show, which is why they are one of my favourites. But for me what really stand out are those plants from the Artemisia family, Wormwood for example, with its Silvery green foliage contrasting the autumnal colours around it beautifully. Plants like Sage, lavender and curry plant have a similar effect. The famous Dogwood, Cornus Sanguinia, is a standard in winter gardens with its bright red and yellow stems, and frames the folly in our upper garden exquisitely.
still putting on a magnificent show, which is why they are one of my favourites. But for me what really stand out are those plants from the Artemisia family, Wormwood for example, with its Silvery green foliage contrasting the autumnal colours around it beautifully. Plants like Sage, lavender and curry plant have a similar effect. The famous Dogwood, Cornus Sanguinia, is a standard in winter gardens with its bright red and yellow stems, and frames the folly in our upper garden exquisitely.
In the Culinary Garden we have been harvesting pumpkins, squash and root vegetables. The Tromboncino Squash being a knockout favourite among visiting guests, with its elongated fruits, not dissimilar to the shape a trumpet . Our Society Garlic, Tulbaghia Violacea, its fragrant and pale purple flowers drawing the eye as you walk up the path of the garden is a subtle beauty.
Winter Planting & Planning
We have been busy planting out our winter vegetables too, Kale, Broad Beans, Chard and Garlic, which we sowed back in late summer, will be harvested in 2026. And of course 
there is the preparation work to be done for next season, deciding what has worked and what hasn't and adjusting accordingly. In the Physic Garden we have been looking to expand our portfolio of medicinal plants, and are looking into what additions to make for next year. The team have had great fun in year one of the garden trialing many of the herbal remedies on offer. This year the team made a hand salve from the flowers of Calendula and the leaves of Plantain foraged on the estate, which for us gardeners, with our rough working hands, is a godsend. And I have been trialling various tinctures, including one for colds, which will be useful this winter.
there is the preparation work to be done for next season, deciding what has worked and what hasn't and adjusting accordingly. In the Physic Garden we have been looking to expand our portfolio of medicinal plants, and are looking into what additions to make for next year. The team have had great fun in year one of the garden trialing many of the herbal remedies on offer. This year the team made a hand salve from the flowers of Calendula and the leaves of Plantain foraged on the estate, which for us gardeners, with our rough working hands, is a godsend. And I have been trialling various tinctures, including one for colds, which will be useful this winter.
Seasonal Challenges
For us now, the biggest challenge is keeping the place looking tidy. While leaves on the
lawn are not an issue and indeed are very much a benefit, if controlled properly, keeping them out of places they ought not to be such as gutters, paths and drains seems to be an endless job at this time of year. Couple this with the windy weather Autumn invariably brings blowing things over, and you will certainly understand why the team are constantly
keeping one eye on the weather.
Overall though, the estate gardens roll through Their annual cycles of growth and decline, much as they always have. And it is this process which connects us gardeners to our plot, and keeps us in tune with the rhythm of things. While the harvest may be finished and the growing season draws to a close, there is always plenty to be getting on with here in the gardens, and plenty to look forward to for next season.