Down to Earth: It’s time to embrace autumn’s glories

“For me, these elements are encapsulated in a bite of a crisp apple, which transports me into a nostalgic daze. . .” From turning leaves to cropping apples, autumn is full of natural glories, writes Cambridge designer Robert Barker

In recent years, I have noticed there are certain aspects of my personality that only surface at certain times of the year. I am particularly aware of this in autumn. It is as if, when I turn the page of the calendar from September to October, certain things about myself bubble up from below.

For example, I am not a big fan of the colours red and orange being used within planting designs. They rarely work in harmony with the English climate, or the classic pastel colours of pinks, blues and purples, and instead of looking vibrant they end up looking a bit sad - not exactly the aesthetic outcome we want for our clients.

But when October arrives that opinion gets very blurred. How can anyone not completely fall in love with the oranges, reds and yellows that burn with such intensity in the leaves of trees and shrubs this time of year? Even though the direct sunshine decreases in October, we can often get some sunny days and, set against clear skies, the multitude of different hues can take your breath away.

Trees are also responsible for awaking something else within me this time of year - and that is an obsession with apples. For 11 months of the year, I have an almost role-reversal with my children when it comes to food. They both love eating fruit, especially my daughter who could eat a whole punnet of grapes or strawberries within a few minutes. Instead of me having to force them to eat something - usually they struggle with anything green! - they have to encourage me to eat fruit. . . except, that is, when it comes to apples in October.

This is provoked by the ripening fruit on the trees, the spirit of the harvest season, and the crisp cool days that shorten into autumnal nights. For me, these elements are encapsulated into a bite of a crisp apple, which transports me in a nostalgic daze.

Of course, you don’t have to grow your own apples to experience one of the joys of autumn, but to harvest a recently dropped apple in your own garden is something special. If you have the space and would rather ‘grow your own’ than head to the supermarket then there are lots of options. Taste is, of course, down to personal preference, but personally I like the nuttier varieties like ‘Egremont Russet’, ‘Herefordshire Russet’ and ‘King of the Pippins’.

You won’t be surprised to hear that, come October 20, you’ll find me heading to Cambridge University Botanic Garden for their annual Apple Day celebrations; a chance to see, taste and learn about apples of every possible variety. I encourage everyone to do the same or similar - to indulge themselves in the joys of autumn.

See robertbarkerdesign.com for more.