What to look for, what to leave, and how to make the most of what you find

In September, the hedgerows quiety fill while everything in the garden starts winding down.

Where borders are fading and lawns are slowing their growth, the wild edges around us - verges, woodland paths and field boundaries, are doing exactly the opposite.

This is one of the most generous months in the Scottish calendar for foraging. Not because it takes any special skill or equipment, but because so much ripens at once.

A gentle guide to refreshing tired borders and extending interest into the second half of the year.

Once June and July have passed, many gardens reach a familiar turning point.

The early flush of spring and early summer flowers has faded. Perennials that looked full and lush just weeks ago are looking leggy and tired. And somewhere along the way, everything seems to settle into one shade - green.

It's one of the most common things I hear from people at this time of year. Their garden is lacking colour, and they're not quite sure what to do about it.

If that's where you are right now, you're not doing anything wrong. This is simply a natural pause in the gardening year, and it happens to almost every garden around this time. Try to see it as an invitation to step in and make a few small, well timed changes. With the right attention now, your garden can carry colour and interest right through the second half of summer and into autumn.