We have reached that moment in early December when the garden is still demanding attention but Christmas is beginning to elbow its way in beside it.

I am still thinking about tulips and wallflowers while also hanging the wreath and trying to pretend I have a sensible handle on festive preparations. The two sides of life do not always sit neatly together at this time of year.

It is funny how quickly the focus shifts indoors and yet my mind keeps wandering back to spring colour combinations and what I want the pots to look like next year.

Perhaps that is the advantage of gardening through winter: even when the season narrows, there is always something hopeful waiting just ahead.