“The breeze at dawn has secrets to tell you. Don’t go back to sleep”, advised the 13th-century Persian poet Rumi. Gardens especially, are seductive at dawn, when birdsong awakens the trees and the air is cool, heavy and still.

Without question this is my favourite time of day, and almost without exception I am walking the garden, steaming cup in hand, observing and listening. Inevitably, something or someone needs attention or a rescue, and almost always there is time.

Time before the sun takes its toll, and the noise and busyness of the day distract me from peace. This past week, after atmospheric river rain, the morning garden had many new secrets to share.

Dozens of spiders swollen with eggs had spun dewy webs across the footpaths, telling me that neighborhood children would soon be

See Full Page