Gardening

We associate March with spring – which has definitely not sprung this year. The bitter north-easterlies are wreaking havoc with any desire to get out and garden. But it just means that when... Read More

With the days slowly lengthening, the garden will soon be springing to life. Snowdrops (and even primroses in my Normandy garden) are appearing and daffodils are showing leaf. So, there’s no time... Read More

Happy New Year to everyone and here’s hoping for a successful gardening year. After a very difficult year for gardeners, (low summer temperatures and so much rain) let’s hope we have a mo... Read More

That time of year is upon us; the season for giving and for (more often than not) overspending, over-indulging and last-minute panic buying. How about some practical ideas for useful and... Read More

As a retailer, maybe I shouldn’t say this, but I really do struggle with this business of putting Chrysanthemums on graves, to the exclusion of all else – like growing them in the garden. It... Read More

Autumn, the season of “mists and mellow fruitfulness” is upon us, albeit a bit short on the mellow fruitfulness – thanks to the very cold and wet spring that stopped bees from carrying out their... Read More

I was having a clear-out in the barn the other day; as I was cutting away at the wretched ivy, which had crept in under the roof slates, I found two beautiful and incredibly well constructed Wren... Read More

The first time we saw the house in Normandy that we went on to buy was in July 1990. After looking at the building, including the huge crack in the gable end from the ridge to the ground, we were... Read More

Well it’s certainly been a frustrating start to summer here in Normandy this year as the good weather has been reluctant to grace us with its presence. Usually the farmers are making hay... Read More

If you’re off on holiday soon, it’s worth having a good old sort-out in the garden to avoid coming back to a wilderness. Dead-head and feed (greedy) roses. The more they’re fed, the less likely... Read More

The first time we saw the house in Normandythat we went on to buy was in July 1990. After looking at the building, including the huge crack in the gable end from the ridge to the ground, we were... Read More

Always look on the Bright Side of Life This “Life of Brian” song keeps popping into my head at the moment. As individuals, we can do little or nothing to change the big issues in this world. The... Read More

The clocks have gone forward; no more dark evenings for a whole six months. Lovely!  On the downside, there’s no excuse now, to avoid attacking the weeds, the planting, the feeding, the mowing. ... Read More

For 3 days every March, the lovely Calvados town of Lisieux plays host to the “Foire aux Arbres”, just as it has done for over 500 years – 2012 marks the 553rd time it has been held.  The centre... Read More

With February’s big freeze behind us, it’s ‘positive thinking’ time. The global financial crisis has badly affected almost every business, but there are always solutions.   At the garden centre,... Read More

Even if you’d barely glanced at a bird before moving to Normandy, you won’t have failed to notice the region’s rich variety. Feeding the birds in winter can not only save their lives, but also... Read More

February in the Garden When those north-easterly winds blow, who in their right mind wants to potter in the garden? Not me – can’t think of anything worse.  It’s a perfect time to plan, though.... Read More