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Everyone knows about the “spring flush”, with blooms dropping from the trees and new leaves on everything from apple trees to lettuces. Gardeners and good cooks know the “autumn flush” is even better. The air is cool but the soil is warm — and plants love it. Blooms last longer in autumn. Give your roses lots of tucker and water, prune back dead flowers, and the display of new blooms will be as glorious as spring’s. In cool climates, autumn’s red, gold and orange leaves are as spectacular as spring blossoms.

Camellias begin to bloom in autumn. Water them well, as long as the soil is well drained, but only feed them when daytime temperatures are 20 degrees Celsius or higher. The plant roots can’t make use of the tucker when it gets too cold, and too much unabsorbed fertiliser can burn them. Well-fed flowers last longer, both on the bush and in the vase.

Don’t dig root crops like carrots and beetroot until needed — they’ll be sweeter for the cold. Potatoes can be left, too, though remember they will sprout in late winter to spring. Potatoes should be sown fresh each year from new seed potatoes. The ones from last year may well have been infected by viruses carried by aphids, and will rot or be too hard to boil and mash. Let beans dry on the vine — pick them for dried bean soup and stews during winter. Pick rose hips for winter teas and syrup.

Autumn for me means pumpkins. The large old- fashioned ones like Queensland Blue, Big Butter or Turk’s Cap last the longest, especially if you cure them on the shed roof or concrete patio for a week or two. This will toughen their skins. Store them on their sides, so moisture doesn’t collect in the dimple around the stems and on the opposite side from the stem. Keep them cool and dry and they’ll last for months.

Autumn has the best apples and pears, too, as does winter. The longer a fruit takes to mature, the richer its flavour. White-fl eshed Democrat apples, sweet Lady Williams (a descendent of Granny Smith, but sweeter and maturing later), French Crab or Stürmer Pippin (the latest maturing apple of all) are relatively safe from fruit fly — they mature in cold weather when fruit fly activity has ceased. Hard-fleshed winter pears are also usually pest free. They can be eaten raw, but are best stewed in white or red wine, or even water and orange juice, until beautifully soft and sliceable.

Autumn is also the time that early varieties of Valencia orange ripen. They’ll be sweeter and softer after the first frost but, if you live in a frost-free area, pick them as soon as the birds decide they want to feast on them. Oranges only turn deep orange naturally in cold weather. Commercial ones are treated with ethylene, so they become orange.

Tahitian limes begin to ripen in autumn, too. Those grown in cool climates are ripe when they turn yellow — lemon-coloured but with greenish flesh. Most commercial limes are grown in frost-free areas, where they don’t turn yellow in the cold. Sadly this means that too many limes are picked too early, when their skin is lime green. Wait until a few drop from the tree, a sure sign they are ripe whether they’re yellow or green.

Pomegranates ripen now. Early in the season, the seeds are soft enough to scoop into salads. Once the seeds harden, it’s time to harvest the juice. Cut the fruit in half and use the kind of hand juicer you’d use for orange juice, then freeze the deep-red liquid in ice-block trays. I love pomegranate juice added to cold water in summer, but in winter it is the most wonderful of teas, hot, sweet and reviving.

Elderberries are easy to grow and difficult to pick. The large round heads of fruit are on stubborn tough stems, and each berry has to be picked individually. Don’t try to juice them with the stems still on them, as they are toxic and so bitter you are unlikely to be tempted. It’s worth the trouble, though — elderberry juice has been shown to shorten the time influenzas and some other viruses affect you. I freeze elderberry juice into small ice blocks, but you can also simmer it with sugar to make elderberry syrup. (I prefer my elderberry not so sweet.)

Spring may have more flowers. Autumn is just as colourful but more delicious.

Article featured in WellBeing Magazine 217

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Autumn feasts

Your Seasonal Horoscope July to September

by | | Curated Content

July 30th 2025
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WellBeing Magazine
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Discover your zodiac’s path this quarter—love, luck & transformation await in the July–September WellBeing horoscopes.

Cancer

Late June-July is rare and special for you since fortunate Jupiter accompanies the Sun in Cancer, all set to smile on your sign for a year. The Full Moon on July 11 accompanies a happy link between the Sun, Moon and Pisces eclipse axis. This clarifi es changes whose time has come. No time to hide in your shell but to embrace the new on off er, as a once-in-12-year opportunity. Add to this, the Water harmonies of early August, then the meeting of Venus and Jupiter in Cancer on August 11 to 14. Blessings fl ow readily now. The New Moon on August 23 extends them even further.

Leo

Messenger Mercury is in Leo, from late June to early September, its presence extended by retro motion. This cycle makes the Sun’s passage through Leo from July 22 special, refl ective, deep. The Leo New Moon of July 25 gathers the energy of the three-way outer planet harmony, creating a fourth harmony, a cradle for the New Era planets. This defi nes your new era of radical change. On August 1, Mercury meets the Sun in Leo, sparking with insight and fresh clarity. A pattern that has mystifi ed you becomes clear. Then comes August 11 to 15 when Mercury hooks up with Mars and energises your plans. Now through September, dreams and receptivity deepen.

Virgo

July 11 to 15 is fateful, propitious. Yet, Mars is in Virgo through July and early August, energising desires, maybe reactions! Beware alienating someone special when Mars meets the eclipse axis, while squaring off to Venus on July 21 to 23. Your ruler, Mercury, goes retro from July 18 to August 11. Revisit now your spiritual, contemplative practices, which will emotionally sustain you. When Mercury meets the Sun on August 1, you gain a glimpse of a new era. While you are good at navigating change, do not try to micro-manage. A propitious New Moon in Virgo on August 23 reminds you to follow the flow.

Libra

Venus-ruled Libra, you seek love, friendship, relationship, balance. Yet life is changing rapidly and July opens with both Saturn and Neptune in your partner sign. Demands that seem unfair, bad behaviour from loved ones, unrealistic hopes can tilt the balance in July and August. Yet Venus helps you hold the balance in early July, then outer planets Uranus and Pluto become a helpful Air sign team from July 7 through August. If you allow surprises to thrill you, and dig deep for the emotional pain beneath strange behaviour, you will safely ride one of the most profound learning curves of your life.

Scorpio

Receptive by nature but also private, Pluto’s passage through your family sign is probably testing you emotionally. Try to find one non-judgmental friend who can listen, rather than swallowing this. July 7 through August brings Uranus to assist, with a lightness of touch, surprising shifts that awaken something new. Also, lover Venus moves through fellow Water sign, Cancer from August 1 to 25. Loving intervention or just healthier family dynamics easily flow from this. Most notable is August 10 to 16, when Venus joins wise Jupiter in Cancer. Potent timing for gatherings! August 23 is a Virgo New Moon, which promises to gradually expand your networks.

Sagittarius

Your beneficial ruler, planet Jupiter, is now “exalted” in Cancer for a year. Jupiter opens the door on happy families but also urges you to consider your future security, to invest in your life. No rush but a few dates are relevant. The Cancer New Moon on June 25 aligned with Jupiter may have seeded ideas. Then the Leo New Moon on July 25 channels Pluto’s energy within a four-way Fire/Air harmony, inspiring action. When Venus meets Jupiter from August 10 to 16, opportunity could come knocking. Both good timing and the luckiest coupling of planets mean it is worth paying attention. Slow down to enhance awareness.

Capricorn

The Full Moon in Capricorn lights up the sky on July 11. Goals seeded at your December 31 New Moon now mature, evoking well-planned action. July 11’s Full Moon benefits from a new Uranus cycle in a happy link with three outer planets, including your ruler Saturn. Venus is next to Uranus at the Capricorn Full Moon, so love and females are catalysts for your new era. Additionally, Water/Earth harmonies from the eclipse axis encompass the Sun and Moon: You are riding the “Dragon”, the time has come. The next stepping stones are two New Moons. First July 25, then August 23’s New Moon in Virgo define your progress.

Aquarius

The New Moon on July 25 channels the energy of Pluto in Aquarius. Now your relationships can make a seismic shift for the better. Make time to accommodate this! Lines of communication open, old hurts can evaporate. It is not about words but about affection, stoked by the joyous Fire of Leo. The new era outer planets offer a transformation that can become a steady flow. At the Full Moon in Aquarius on August 9, make sure to revisit, renew, remember. Both of your ruling planets — Saturn and Uranus — are part of that new era harmony that blesses you now, potentially for months and years to come.

Pisces

July 11’s night sky showcases a Full Moon in your friendship sign — a wonderful date for a gathering. The eclipse axis is currently in Pisces, forming a bridge of Water harmonies with the Sun and Full Moon until mid-July. Good timing for work and pleasure. Conversely, July 21 to 25 requires caution, not a week for important events, with Venus and Mars in conflict. Yet, August 1 to 6 is wide open for emotional satisfaction. When, from August 11 to 14, Venus meets Jupiter in Cancer, dreams and memories are stirred, expanding love and connection. The New Moon in your partner sign on August 23 moves everything along.

Aries

If you seem to be chained to big concerns or lofty goals, July–August offers release. July 11’s Full Moon evokes a helpful climax, grounding you in Earth/Water harmonies. When Saturn in Aries begins a long retro cycle on July 13, you have an opportunity to surrender burdens. Allow Jupiter in Cancer to wash your troubles away, to confirm family love. An earthy Mars midwife, emotional healing based on acceptance combined with attention to the small things that can be done. Uranus helps you see the humour in everyday events, while a fiery Leo recharge from July 25 to August 22 opens a new path.

Taurus

Venus in Taurus met Uranus on July 4, then departed your sign. This means roll with any surprises in early July, without losing faith. Your leading planet continues as guardian, now emphasising your security. A good idea slowly develops. On July 7, Uranus, after eight years in Taurus, also moves on, where change is happening now in financial matters. With strong outer planet support, Uranus prompting something new could be successful. July 25 is a good start but keep a strong safety net. August 23 brings the Virgo New Moon to begin a period of creating order. This earthy harvest soothes your soul.

Gemini

Venus, now Morning Star, and ultra-slow Uranus both enter Gemini in early July. Through July, Venus adds grace to the once-in-a-lifetime Uranus presence. An awakening experience, shock, sudden insights that shift previous assumptions, and confounding expectations are some faces of Uranus. Exercise restraint and caution from July 21 to 24. All Geminis will be highly charged from a three-way harmony Uranus holds with outer planets for three years. With guru Mercury retro from July 18 to Aug 11, it is time to review relationships and daily routines. New creative thrust, maybe new love, flows. August 12 to 27 has high potential for happiness.

Article featured in WellBeing Magazine 217

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