As the abundant growth of summer fades, autumn harvests ring plentiful, stores fill and garden beds empty.

There are few crops that can be sown in October and will grow overwinter in Ireland, but autumn varieties of onions, (Allium cepa) are one of the select few.

Garlic performs best when subjected to a cold period of one or two months.

WINTER: It was warm enough one afternoon last week for a stroll around the garden, and in one of my favourite stopping places I watched a cloud of midges, out of their winter sleep, dancing in the still, sunlit air.