C'est la rentrée! The mornings now have a distinct freshness about them, which can be a relief from the baking heat of midsummer, but it is a sign that the season is about to turn later this month. La Chasse resumes (sadly), the sweetcorn and sunflower fields will soon be cut and swallows will start … Continue reading September Garden To Do List
Summer is well and truly here. By now gardens are scorched dry, but this year has been a different kettle of fish, with a lack of rain since last autumn too. At this time of year gardening work consists of mainly keeping things ticking over and the pleasure of harvesting. Enjoy the last of the … Continue reading August Garden To Do List
Hedges. We love hedges. They form our boundaries making us feel protected, secure and not overlooked. They frame desirable views and shield unwanted views. They provide winter structure and a summer backdrop. They can provide summer shade. They filter and attenuate strong winds and perform infinitely better over their lifetime than a wooden fence with … Continue reading Hedges
With summer solstice behind us day length is, subtly, now on the decrease, but with warmer days and nights many of the plants we have come to think of as typical garden plants, but which originate from central america, start to romp away and contribute to the garden with their hot, rich colours and textures. … Continue reading July Garden To Do List
Summer is here! Day length is at its maximum and the garden reaches peak growth this month. With many now working from home more often than in the past there is more time to get in the garden, just don't forget to take time to enjoy it too! Here is your June garden to do … Continue reading June Garden To Do List
May is my favourite month in the garden. So full of optimism of the year to come, this is the month when the garden really takes flight. With March giboulées and April's occasional storms, increasing soil temperatures and day length nearing its peak, the garden appears to grow before your very eyes. As the Alliums … Continue reading May Garden To Do List
Welcome to my favourite time of year. The Swallows have returned and Spring is now firmly under way and brings with it the optimism of the year to come. Equinox is firmly behind us and the days are rapidly drawing out. All this means the garden requires more of your attention, but to help you … Continue reading April Garden To Do List
At long last spring finally arrives this month and we have equinox to look forward to. The clocks go forward late in the month and the days become longer than the nights. From hereon in its all go in the garden. Lawns Winter in the Poitou-Charentes can be quite wet and so not only have … Continue reading March Garden To Do List
The majority accept that there is overwhelming evidence climate is changing because of increased atmospheric carbon dioxide caused by human activity. I remember this subject being discussed in school in the 1980's and nearly 40 years later we are still discussing it with the trend in average global temperatures still on the rise. Just 100 … Continue reading Reduce your carbon footprint
By February I am more than sick of winter. The winter blues have thoroughly set in and yearning for warm, sunny days reaches maximum levels. But the signs are there: The tops of spring bulbs tease at what is to come by poking through. Daylight is creeping in the right direction and the nights noticeably … Continue reading February Garden To Do List
