Gardener

Spring into plant swap season and visit a local French ‘TrocPlantes’

Columnist Sarah Beattie discovers the community spirit of swap events where gardeners exchange cuttings

Open Gardens France: Vibrant borders and crisp hedges in Mayenne

After two years clearing rubbish and brambles, Edward Moss and David Marsh delight in sharing their ‘garden rooms’

Grass cuttings are no longer accepted at some public tips in France

Increasing numbers of public déchetteries are asking you to take care of your cuttings at home

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‘French gardeners love the Britishness of the Open Garden scheme’

Sue Lambert president of Jardins Ouverts talks afternoon tea, No Dig method and finding solace in her garden after losing her son

New obligatory home waste law in France: Eight tips for composting

People must now sort their organic waste into a separate bin

Autumn leaves: Rules on what to do with garden waste in France

It is illegal to burn garden waste in France (except if you are granted special permission by the mairie). We explore what to do with autumn and green garden waste instead

Is it legal to pay a tradesperson in cash in France?

There are rules which dictate how to pay for work at your home

Plea to plant local flowers in your gardens in France

Gardeners can play a significant role in helping to maintain the country’s biodiversity, a new study suggests

Why is the gardener for my French home costing more than I thought?

Tax credits can assist with the cost of employing people at your home

French vegetable gardens offer fresh job prospects

The Restos du Cœur charity is known for distributing food to people in need in France, it also runs a network of community gardens

French garden diary: Sweet William the superpower

We look at the origins and aesthetics of these trouble-free perennials

Jardins Ouverts: Visit a Dordogne chateau and an English-style garden

Green-fingered enthusiasts are spoilt for choice this summer the Open Gardens scheme gives access to stunning gardens and their creators

French garden diary: New roses bred for resistance

We examine the floral options available to gardeners in France

Lovely Limousin gardens to visit in June with Open Gardens scheme

Gardeners across France throw open the gates to their private paradises - we explore two gems in Creuse and Haute-Vienne

Which products can I use to kill weeds in my French garden?

Since July, herbicides and pesticides of a certain strength have been banned in private gardens and other spaces

Holiday home gardens in France fall victim to Brexit 90-day rule

We look at solutions and prices to keep on top of your French second home garden including self-employed gardeners, solar-powered lawnmowers and how La Poste could help

Open gardens in France - show off your garden or visit one near you

The charitable Open Gardens/Jardins Ouverts scheme is looking for gardeners in France to open their gardens, large and small, to the public

France lockdown: Can gardeners work at clients' homes?

The government has published a list of which professional activities can continue to be carried out at clients' homes

France lockdown: Can I go to a home/garden shop 50km away?

Shopping for essentials is permitted, with no travel or time limits

Gardeners in France: why you shouldn't mow your lawn weekly

Landscape gardener Eric Lenoir refuses to systematically mow lawns for clients, saying it is better to let the grass grow.

Warning in France over poisonous plants in shops and in the wild

Common plants and herbs accidentally used in cooking or homemade cosmetics can be toxic and even fatal to humans and pets, the French food safety agency has warned

Why you might see your neighbours gardening naked this weekend

The annual day is intended to remind people of the links between humans and nature, and provide a fun outlet for naturists, of which there are two million in France

It is planting season in France: Why plant bare root?

Cathy Thompson's tips on bareroot planting in your French garden this autumn

Uncertain future for historic Ile-de-France allotments

Expanding Paris is threatening gardens which, for over a century, have been oases of green, reports Mike Diliën

French innovation: Plant pot system reduces water use by 70%

A French company has developed a resource-friendly system for watering plants based on designs first used up to 4,000 years ago in China.

Seed library opens in south France to inspire local growth

A library in the south of France is to open a “seed library”, allowing borrowers to barter and exchange a wide variety of seeds, including for flowers, herbs, and vegetables.

How to prepare for and cultivate top tulips in France

Tulip lover Cathy Thompson on planning ahead and finding a cultivar to suit.

Europe's largest Japanese garden is must-see French marvel

Connexion reveals the fascinating history of the Parc Oriental de Maulévrier and talks to its head gardener.

The best plants to grow in France to deter mosquitoes

As summer temperatures soar across France mosquitoes can become a major issue. But what if you could plant flowers that keep the insects away naturally? You can. We explore the best plants to grow now.

What to do if your neighbours are burning garden waste

In our monthly column Legal Notes, reader questions are answered and explained.

Gardeners in France asked to help hedgehogs in new campaign

People with gardens in France are being encouraged to look out for hedgehogs, in a new campaign to raise awareness of the animal’s continuing decline, with some predictions saying they could be extinct by 2050.

What to do if your pool turned green during lockdown

Owners arriving later than usual at holiday homes, as European travel restrictions lift, may have the bad experience of finding their pool has turned green.

The story behind artist Monet's great passion: water lilies

How to mimic Monet’s pond life: Cathy Thompson on a chance encounter and the artist’s passion for water lilies.

RE-OPENS TODAY: Explore the gardens of Les Jardins Secrets

From tumbleweed farm to Jardin Remarquable – Connexion marvels at the extraordinary Jardins Secrets.

Our pick of top 3 Open Gardens/Jardins Ouverts 2020

Despite Open Gardens being halted, Jane Hanks still discovers the passion and skill behind three great jardins.

Why you should plant some pants in your garden in France

People with gardens in France are being encouraged to bury a pair of cotton pants to check the health of the soil, in a new ecological campaign.

Gardeners in France asked not to cut hedges

Environmental associations are asking people with gardens not to trim any hedges or prune trees until the end of July in order to protect birds.

French garden diary: Lilac love has roots in Lorraine

Cathy Thompson has some serious horticultural heritage right on her doorstep

Grower’s digest: April 2020

Tips and tricks for gardeners indoors and out. This month: Space-saving potager, jobs for the garden, and pampered pooches...

Tomato fear as high-risk virus found in Brittany

Gardeners are being warned to be aware of a high-risk and fast-spreading virus affecting tomatoes, peppers and chillies that could devastate all production.

Changing the way the French buy flowers

The Connexion meets two inspirational home-grown floral fanatics trying to change the way the French buy flowers

Grower’s digest – March 2020

Tips and tricks for gardeners indoors and out. This month: go potty for pots, March’s jobs, mud-free soles…..

French garden diary - primrose primula perfection

Cathy Thompson explains her enduring passion for the humble primrose

Incurable tomato virus found in France for first time

A highly-contagious plant infection with no known cure - dubbed the “tomato virus” - has been confirmed in a farm in north-west France, making it the first known case ever in the country.

Invasive worm now in 75% of France, study shows

The invasive flatworm the Obama Nungara has now spread into two thirds of departments in France, according to a new study, with researchers saying it may threaten biodiversity and soil health.

Annual garden bird count in France this weekend

Birdwatchers get ready: French bird protection society la Ligue pour la Protection des Oiseaux (LPO) has launched its annual garden bird counting event for the eighth year running.

French garden diary – Orchids

Science behind orchids’ triumph. Cathy Thompson on micro-propagation plus how to care for indoor beauties

Grower’s digest - January 2020

Tips and tricks for gardeners indoors and out. This month: lemon entry, garden trends and winter bargains....

British couple’s sustainable success with permaculture

The Connexion meets a hands-on couple in Brittany who have achieved permaculture success and improved biodiversity

English rose flower power in French garden

Plant species given Breton lifeline

Jane Hanks visits a unique botanical conservation centre in Brittany that is saving exotic plants from extinction

French garden diary – October 2019

Peat-free composting starts now: October sees Cathy Thompson planning a peat revolution.. and you can join her

Grower’s digest - October 2019

Tips and tricks for gardeners indoors and out. This month: plant your winter bulbs, jam–making, and an elephant’s foot plant

The future of natural weed killers

Cathy Thompson on working without Roundup, plus a recipe for courgette gluts

The fan of forgotten French fleurs

Garden risk

Writing as a lifelong gardener, it appals me that anyone is still using glyphosate-based products, such as Roundup, in the garden and thereby putting themselves, their families, friends and domestic animals at risk.

Grower’s digest - September 2019

Tips and tricks for gardeners indoors and out. This month: an hedge-trimmer, a bulb moment, pear time and another Instagram garden

Open Gardens: dedicated to a Mayenne attraction

The Connexion meets a former doctor who has worked tirelessly to create her dream garden in Pays de la Loire

French garden diary - September 2019

Mrs Bean and autumn planting - Cathy Thompson on her correspondence from Connexion-reading gardeners

Green-fingered ways to adapt to Mediterranean climate

Are you struggling to get your garden to flourish?

Respecting distances in our French garden

We plan to work on our garden and want to know more about distance rules we must respect in relation to planting trees near to the boundary with our neighbour. There is a wall separating our two properties. As long as the roots do not disturb this wall, are we OK to plant quite close to it? F.L

Grower’s digest - June 2019

Tips and tricks for gardeners indoors and out. This month: some shade for the summer, smart gardening and limited mobility gardening

French garden diary - June 2019

A female rose by any other name - Cathy Thompson on variety names and flowers that flourish in her own garden

Can I still use a glyphosate weedkiller in my garden?

I have several containers of glyphosate herbicide in stock which I plan to use in my garden. However I have read conflicting information about this, some of which says that it is banned in France. I thought a ban had been put off for several years. Can you clarify? P.T.