Gardening in France

When we first came to France, we were not experienced gardeners, but we were enthusiastic. The previous owners told us that the soil was very good and that they had grown vegetables very successfully. We noticed that the soil was quite red and looked very rich. There was a vegetable patch already established, so the first year we decided to buy the seeds and have a go.

Veg. plot

We started with tomatoes, courgettes, potatoes, onions, and a few herbs such as basil, thyme, mint, sage, rosemary and oregano.  I can honesty say we had such a glutton of all these vegetables, we were well stocked for the whole winter. The tomatoes were made into tomato sauce, tomato soup, and tomato tarts and put into the freezer. The courgettes were also frozen for winter use. I blanched the potatoes and part sautéed them, then froze them for later use as well as mash. The onions I just used as I needed them.

As well as vegetables we have strawberries, rasberries, figs, peaches, cherries, pears, plums and apples. Because the apple tree is very young we didn't have a lot. I think there is nothing like going outside into your garden and picking own your vegetables and herbs for your dinner, especially when you have grown them yourself and you know they are organic. There is also a big walnut tree in the garden, and I love walnuts. As I make my own muesli with oats, bran, fruit and nuts, walnuts are great and full of nutrient.

Basket of fruit

At the front of the house there is a small patch for roses, which I love, there are also irises, lilies and geraniums. Around the sides there is four large bushes of lavender.

Rose garden at front of house

Our tomatoes this year

In the summer months it can get close to 40 degs, so water is crucial, here you have to pay for it. So we have three big water containers holding 6000 litres of water. So when it does rain, usually April and May it is very important to collect as much as you can.