Words and pics by Jo Green, a former allotmenteer, forager, amateur herbalist, pickler and jam maker who squeezed her allotment greenery into her tiny garden.

I used to love the Great British Allotment show.
They did a feature on garlands. I wanted to replicate their showy beauty with autumn garden produce.

Pics by Jo Green

At the Anchor pub in Seatown, I remembered seeing a magnificent real hops garland draping over the top of the bar.
They are a joy to work with as they smell so good and are so light. That’s the thing – the more wreaths and garlands you make the more you realize the importance of the wreath strength.
I had been on a woodland walk and noticed a knotted vine looped round the base of a tree. Well, it was almost like the woods had left me a gift so I could hardly refuse. As I said I was hoping to make an autumn garland but had to adapt it to a wreath as, well frankly, I don’t have anywhere palatial to hang such a marvel.
Also, the plants I wanted to decorate the wreath with were making the whole thing droop just a little too much!
I wove in red Virginia Creeper, dried Honesty and Plump Rose hips all from the garden. The rosy apples I have stored in the garage beckoned and added the final studded glory!
I say ‘final’ very loosely. With half term nearly upon us I have been planning to morph the autumnal look into a Hallowe’en theme.

Pics by Jo Green

In the freezer I have jet black crows’ feathers from a thousand walks.
And, as I walk by Jack O’Lantern pumpkins, I wonder how much more weight the frame can take.
We are about to find out!