Hello lovely person!

November novelties include; adorable apples, forest-y fragrance, a gutsy goldfinch, delicious decaf, and might I have a word?

Gardening tips for November

November is - hip, hip hooray - the start of the bare root season. You can buy hedging plants and trees more cheaply in the winter when they’re dug straight from the fields, as the grower doesn’t need to pay for compost and pots for them to be sold in containers. It’s always cheaper for bare root plants to be posted too. And that’s why this time of year is exciting for gardeners—more plants for less cash.

So, what could you choose? How about some native hedging to support your local wildlife? Crab apples are an almost universal pollinator with their sweetly scented blossoms. Or if you’d like a super speedy hedge, then I’d recommend hawthorn with its creamy almond scented flowers that turn into garnet berries come autumn.

How about a fruit tree? Please ignore people who tell you fruit trees are difficult to grow because they’re really not. I have a Stella variety cherry tree (£8 from B&M) that grew in a tiny container for years before I got around to repotting it. Every year we get handfuls of glossy fruit for almost zero effort.

But my absolute top recommendation for a fruit tree would be an apple. Specifically the variety Red Falstaff because you only need one tree for an abundant crop (most apples need a pollination partner). You could plant it in a big container, say around 50-60 cm diameter, or pop it in the ground. Apart from watering it thoroughly in its first year, it’ll happily look after itself from then on.

And just two years after I planted our single tree, these are some of the glowing fruits we picked this autumn…

My Red Falstaff from Ashridge Nurseries grows on a MM106 rootstock which will eventually reach around 4m high.

And if you’d like more info about simple ways to grow fruit, remember you could book a Plant Your Own Joy chat with me. Winter’s a great time to make plans for your outdoor space, however tiny it is.

Fragrant musings from the library of scent: Soul Notes by Soul Notes

Soul Notes is, to me, a perfume about softness and light. A perfectly balanced blend of airy coolness and warmer golden rays, all gently diffused through abundant trees. It’s a hammock made of woven branches you discover in the woods; supple birch, amber beech and furry pine. 

Lying back in your bosky cradle, coins of sun dance over your closed eyes as caramel coloured leaves flutter around. A breath of vetiver, one tendril of lavender—a wisp of tea curls from your flask sitting on the mossy ground. Breathing steadily in…then slowly out.

On the Soul Notes website, founder Sarirah asks: when you wear Soul Notes, how did it make you feel about yourself?

And I would answer: calmed, reassured and optimistic. 

Life’s richer with small but meaningful things that give us a wee boost and help us to recalibrate. Maybe a perfect cup of coffee offered unexpectedly, a hug you didn’t know you needed, or a non-judgemental listening ear. And this is the fragrant equivalent—a marvellous emotional support perfume.

Huge thanks to Sarirah for the opportunity to get to know this fabulous fragrance.

What’s one of your emotional support perfumes?

Nature notes for November

Rollercoastering temperatures. Coat off. Coat on. Don’t forget your hat though because that wind has fangs.

Standing in a puddle of sun in the back garden, filing my nails as a goldfinch delicately picks over the compost heap. Our resident robin barks at them, flicking his wings in an attempt to intimidate. The goldfinch blithely turns their back and carries on.

A wander around the nature reserve; grass tinkling with frost, and a smoky backed heron describes a leisurely circle against the scuffed pewter sky. One tawny deer peers out from a thicket, their jaws placidly chomping.

Featured speciality coffee: Jairo Arcila – EA Sugarcane Decaf

And now for something a little different…

Yes, I know that usually I write about bean-to-bar chocolate here, but I discovered something so incredible recently, I had to give my regular confectionary spot the heave-ho and write about coffee instead.

Have you ever tried a decaffeinated coffee that actually tastes of coffee?

We stumbled upon this glorious drink while we were visiting the Rise and Grind roastery in Paisley, Scotland. Expertly guided through the brew bar options by the owner, Sam, I couldn’t resist his enthusiasm for this coffee. And I loved it so much, I bought a bag on the spot.

So, what’s it like?

⭐ Sprightly passion fruit aromas leap out of the cup

⭐ Mouthwatering, juicy and bright with pineapple and passion fruit notes dancing across your tongue

⭐ A refreshing and clean aftertaste with a smidgen of dark chocolate that lingers tantalisingly…

Wellbeing tip

What’s your inner voice saying?

We all do it. Get frustrated with ourselves, especially when the pressure’s on. “You’re so lazy…so inefficient…so careless” etc. etc.

But would you speak like that to a friend who’s a bit (or a lot) overwhelmed? Would you call them a slacker or a hopeless procrastinator? Of course you wouldn’t.

So, the next time you notice that beady critical eye turned inwards, I wonder if you could reframe the situation. Acknowledge you’re undoubtedly trying your very best under difficult circumstances, and using the kind of language you might to a cherished pal.

I wonder… how you might feel afterwards?

On the blog and LinkedIn:

What’s your number 1 tip for staying sane as a freelancer?

Did you know that Samhain is a season, not just the 31 October? So there’s still time to choose some spirited scents.

Who am I, and what do I do?

⭐ As ever, all wibbly words are by me, Rowan Ambrose. The perfume mentioned was very kindly gifted by the brand, and I paid for the coffee myself. Thanks for being here every month—I really appreciate your time! ⭐