Gardens

Now is the time for people in France to ‘scarify’ their lawn

The practice, which should be done twice a year, enables the grass to thrive

Garden clearing obligations to be extended in south of France

Owners who fail to clear undergrowth face fines

What are the rules for installing an electric fence on French property?

Electric fences are not solely for agricultural purposes

practical

Why this widely-used gardening tool can land you a large fine in France

Stores are banned from selling the item

France's Loire Valley arboretum puts heather and magnolias in the spring spotlight

‘The forest is coming awake from its winter sleep... Life is coming back again in colour, scent and sound’

French herbs: How to grow your own and use them correctly

Columnist Sue Adams explains the history and tradition of herbes de Provence and fines herbes

Gardening in France: get set to be dazzled by dahlias

March is the perfect time to plant these sun-loving tubers

Cherry blossoms galore: Europe's largest Japanese garden is in France

Picnic beneath pink trees and celebrate the tradition of Hanami at the Parc Oriental de Maulévrier

What are the rules for burning garden waste in France in 2025?

Spring is a popular time to clean up in garden

Errors to avoid and how to help wildlife as you get your garden in France ready for spring

Gardening with care can make a big difference at this time of year

French property owners and tenants: what are rules for obligatory undergrowth clearance?

Land in many areas must be cleared to reduce risk of forest fires

How to buy, eat and store the best French strawberries

As spring approaches and strawberries come into season, here are top tips for achieving optimal fruity flavour, according to experts

Meet the volunteers vital to the growth of Open Gardens, and find out how you can join too

The association, which raised €22,000 for children’s charities last year, is seeking help with various roles

Lawnmowers recalled in France over risk of blade detaching

The recall scheme lasts until 2027

Can a mobile home remain parked in French home garden?

Sarah Bright-Thomas of Bright Avocats answers a reader query

Bees protected from Asian hornet attacks by award-winning French device

Frédérique Ripet has won a top business award for creating a device that protects hives from deadly attacks

Photos: ‘How we prepare our garden in south-west France for winter’

Part-time paysanne Sue Adams on protecting your precious plants

Do sit-on lawnmowers require insurance in France?

Larger gardens may require tractor-mowers to keep on top of grass

EU faces legal challenge from French lawyer over weedkiller sale decision

Corinne Lepage fighting decision to allow glyphosate to be sold in Europe for another 10 years

Garden waste disposal is free in Dordogne until November 9

Seven Dordogne déchèteries are offering green waste drops that do not count towards residents’ total

How to identify and destroy toxic plants that grow in French gardens

Some can cause illness or even be fatal if eaten

Obligatory garden clearance in France: New campaign clarifies who is impacted

New residents will be told of rules from January onwards

Falling garden leaves: rules for neighbours in France and can you burn them?

Trees should be planted far enough away from garden boundaries to minimise their impact on neighbouring properties

Photos: Three seasonal autumn gardens to visit in France

Summer may be over but there are beautiful places to admire under the Open Gardens scheme

Get involved and join a local gardening club in France

September is the month when people of all ages join associations

How to keep hunters out of your garden in France

They can enter your land unless you take steps to explicitly state that you do not want them to

Checks, fines, help: rules for clearing undergrowth around French home

Both property owners and tenants must clear their land all year round

Explained: French garden rules on cleaning, bonfires, planting and more

Make sure you stick to the (many) rules if you want to maintain good relationships with your neighbours and avoid fines

Are electric lawn mowers popular in France? How expensive are they?

‘Robot’ lawn mowers are also on the increase

‘Unfair’: Anger over €6,000 bill for clearing neighbour land in France

Débroussaillement is the clearing of overgrowth from a property - and in some cases residents are legally obliged to clear a neighbour’s land at their own cost

France embraces the rise of the robot mowers

Automated robots can keep lawns looking clean with just a weekend of work, and basic models can start from less than €1,000

Do I need permission to have a garden party on July 14? Are fireworks allowed?

The law is fairly relaxed but there are some precautions to take, particularly if you do not want to create a rift with your neighbours

Can I move from the UK to France with houseplants?

There are strict regulations since Brexit

Stunning French arboretum to celebrate 10 years of 'Open Gardens'

Sarah Beattie speaks to gardener Nell, whose spectacular Creuse arboretrum is listed as a ‘Jardin Remarquable’

Does French law allow me to remove a tree growing next to my garden?

Neighbouring trees can be inconvenient or even dangerous to another property

Box tree caterpillar cases rise in France: How to protect your hedges

Climate change is helping the insect to spread across the country, requiring a multi-pronged approach to tackle the threat

Gardener develops cacti suitable for the temperatures of… Normandy

A gardener in Normandy has started to sell cacti from the deserts of the United States, which he has adapted to grow in the cold clay soils of the region

Are there any rules for having a garden pond in France?

Sarah Bright-Thomas of Bright Avocats answers a reader query

Gardening, DIY: what you can and cannot do on a bank holiday in France

We also look what to do if your neighbours do not abide by the anti-noise rules

How do tax credits for having a gardener at French home work?

Always make sure you use registered people to undertake work at your home

No mow May: homeowners in France asked to let grass grow

‘There is no life in a 4 cm-long lawn’ warns one expert, saying that longer grass helps bees and insects to thrive

Grass clippings: what to do if the tip does not accept them in France

Rennes metropole is the first to bring in a ban - and has ended door-to-door pick ups - but other areas have followed

Can I burn trimmings from my French garden in spring?

Regular upkeep of your garden can result in a lot of déchets verts

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

Are there restrictions on building garden walls in France?

Sarah Bright-Thomas of Bright Avocats answers a reader query

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

How to keep boars off land in France: natural ways or electric fence?

Homeowners are seeing more damage each year as numbers of the animals increase

What are the rules for collecting and using rainwater in France

Indoor use in particular is subject to strict rules

Must I remove ivy growing on my French second home?

Ivy can be attractive but can also be viewed as damaging

Land clearance in France: rules, fines and tax credits for garden work

Spring is coming and neglected gardens will soon get out of hand

Can our neighbour in France force us to replace a hedge with a fence?

Position, height, age are all factors which will need to be considered

Is home composting now mandatory in France?

New rules revolving organic waste came into force earlier this year

‘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

What to do if you cross a boar while out walking in France?

The animals can be aggressive but generally only if they feel threatened

Can I put up a privacy shield in my French garden?

Barriers may have additional requirements for installation, particularly if installed at the border of your property

How to keep hens as part of a self-sufficient life in France

Tips on choosing the right breed, food and shelter from part-time paysanne Sue Adams

Obligatory new home waste rules in France: items not to compost

We look at items that pollute, do not decompose or kill helpful worms and bacteria

‘Dangerous’ trees, scams, vineyards to buy: French property round up

Our recap of recent property articles

Family may have to move as cannot uproot ‘dangerous’ tree in France

100-year-old cedar could destroy home, says family, but local authority officials at standstill over rules

Gardening in France: New Year’s resolutions and jobs for January

Take time to assess last year and get excited about the gardening year to come

Snowdrop display is perfect showcase for French Open Gardens charity

We visit a founder member of the scheme and learn of her obsession with snowdrops or ‘perce-neige’

Rats are not attracted to compost heaps, assures French waste expert

The new food waste law means many people are thinking of composting but worry about vermin and smells

Can we build a natural pond at French home if cannot have a pool?

Reader’s question is about a pond which has filtration by reeds and does not use chlorine

Best plants to add a pop of winter colour to your French garden

We share the winter-flowering plants that can brighten up your garden on the greyest days

Are you (and your council) ready for obligatory compost law in France?

Different areas have different policies - we take a tour of some

Do not put biodegradable plastic bags with compost in France

Many contain chemicals that can only be decomposed by industrial means

French gardens to delight visitors in the bright, cold days of winter

Where to see frosty topiary, magical light shows and tropical glasshouses for a December gardening fix

How to build a snake hotel in your French garden as population falls

Jonathan Kemp makes snakes welcome in his garden in spite of his phobia

Who must cut overhanging branches in French garden?

France’s civil code is strict and can be confusing to navigate

13 tree fairs and arboretums across France to visit this November

No matter where you live, there are events, exhibitions and markets centred around the cultivation of trees - we have listed several for your diary

What can I do to stop my French neighbour’s regular garden bonfires?

Burning garden waste is normally illegal in France. We look at what you can do if your neighbour breaks this rule

Can we claim on house insurance if boars damage our French garden?

It is important to specify what cover is required when buying insurance

Man fined €6,000 for cutting down neighbour’s tree in northern France

He claimed the 70-year-old tree impaired his sea view

Visit epic Terra Botanica - France’s magical biodiversity theme park

Like the Eden Project on steroids, glow-in-the-dark plants and environmental ideas with a Disney twinkle

Gardens

Now is the time for people in France to ‘scarify’ their lawn

Garden clearing obligations to be extended in south of France

What are the rules for installing an electric fence on French property?

Why this widely-used gardening tool can land you a large fine in France

Trending

Driving licences: New rules on medicals, UK exchanges and renewals in France

Crackdown on ‘hiding money offshore’ announced in UK spring statement

Cheap flights to/from France at risk: Ryanair writes to French airports

Rules change for dog walking in France on April 15

Woman in France since age 7 ordered to leave due to residency card irregularities

What equipment is obligatory for a cyclist in France in 2025?

Deadline looms to top up 'extra' back years of UK state pension for Britons in France

France's Loire Valley arboretum puts heather and magnolias in the spring spotlight

French herbs: How to grow your own and use them correctly

Gardening in France: get set to be dazzled by dahlias

Cherry blossoms galore: Europe's largest Japanese garden is in France

What are the rules for burning garden waste in France in 2025?

Errors to avoid and how to help wildlife as you get your garden in France ready for spring

French property owners and tenants: what are rules for obligatory undergrowth clearance?

How to buy, eat and store the best French strawberries

Meet the volunteers vital to the growth of Open Gardens, and find out how you can join too

Lawnmowers recalled in France over risk of blade detaching

Why pampas grass is forbidden in French gardens

Help scientists this weekend by counting birds in your French garden

Now is the time to act against this garden pest in France

Can a mobile home remain parked in French home garden?

How should garden waste be disposed of in France if bonfires are not allowed?

How to deal with snails in your French garden - and can you eat them?

Mairie offers grants for electric leaf blowers to reduce noisy gardening in south of France

How do tax credits work for hiring a gardener in France?

The trees in your French garden have a worth - here is how to value them online

Bees protected from Asian hornet attacks by award-winning French device

Photos: ‘How we prepare our garden in south-west France for winter’

Do sit-on lawnmowers require insurance in France?

EU faces legal challenge from French lawyer over weedkiller sale decision

Garden waste disposal is free in Dordogne until November 9

How to identify and destroy toxic plants that grow in French gardens

Obligatory garden clearance in France: New campaign clarifies who is impacted

Falling garden leaves: rules for neighbours in France and can you burn them?

Photos: Three seasonal autumn gardens to visit in France

Get involved and join a local gardening club in France

How to keep hunters out of your garden in France

Checks, fines, help: rules for clearing undergrowth around French home

Explained: French garden rules on cleaning, bonfires, planting and more

Are electric lawn mowers popular in France? How expensive are they?

‘Unfair’: Anger over €6,000 bill for clearing neighbour land in France

France embraces the rise of the robot mowers

Do I need permission to have a garden party on July 14? Are fireworks allowed?

Can I move from the UK to France with houseplants?

Stunning French arboretum to celebrate 10 years of 'Open Gardens'

Does French law allow me to remove a tree growing next to my garden?

Box tree caterpillar cases rise in France: How to protect your hedges

Gardener develops cacti suitable for the temperatures of… Normandy

Are there any rules for having a garden pond in France?

Gardening, DIY: what you can and cannot do on a bank holiday in France

How do tax credits for having a gardener at French home work?

No mow May: homeowners in France asked to let grass grow

Grass clippings: what to do if the tip does not accept them in France

Can I burn trimmings from my French garden in spring?

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

Are there restrictions on building garden walls in France?

Open Gardens France: Vibrant borders and crisp hedges in Mayenne

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

How to keep boars off land in France: natural ways or electric fence?

What are the rules for collecting and using rainwater in France

Must I remove ivy growing on my French second home?

Land clearance in France: rules, fines and tax credits for garden work

Can our neighbour in France force us to replace a hedge with a fence?

Is home composting now mandatory in France?

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

What to do if you cross a boar while out walking in France?

Can I put up a privacy shield in my French garden?

How to keep hens as part of a self-sufficient life in France

Obligatory new home waste rules in France: items not to compost

‘Dangerous’ trees, scams, vineyards to buy: French property round up

Family may have to move as cannot uproot ‘dangerous’ tree in France

Gardening in France: New Year’s resolutions and jobs for January

Snowdrop display is perfect showcase for French Open Gardens charity

Rats are not attracted to compost heaps, assures French waste expert