As the weather gets cooler, thoughts invariably turn to tidying up the garden before winter and making changes to enjoy it all the more next year.
Mulching borders, planting spring bulbs and preparing new ground for growing can come at a price, however. Here’s how you can get on with those green-fingered tasks without burning money.
Plant swaps
A popular way to get free plants or cuttings is at local plant swaps or troc plantes.
“It’s great because it doesn’t cost anything and you meet other passionate people,” says landscape architect Caroline Scott-Perget, who has been designing gardens for over 15 years and shares her knowledge on YouTube channel, Les Jardins de la Tine. She is based in Deux-Sèvres (Nouvelle-Aquitaine).
Mrs Scott-Perget says that even if you initially have nothing to offer, it is worth attending.
“People are quite happy to let plants go. Later you might have plants to exchange in return.”
To find local troc plantes, simply google the term plus the name of your department, or check local “what’s on” Facebook pages.
Be sure to arrive early to get a good deal.
End of season bargains
Bulbs are often heavily reduced towards the end of the season – an excellent time to buy if looking for a bargain, according to Mrs Scott-Perget.
“You can get twice the quantity for the price you would get them for at the start of the season.”
She recommends checking the bags to ensure the bulbs are not mouldy, and to press them to check they are still firm.
Students at horticultural schools and training centers also put plants up for sale at certain times of year for low prices. Take note of when they hold their sales.
Beware of invasive plants
It is important to do your homework when choosing new plants: look online and discuss with different professionals before committing.
“You don’t want to be overwhelmed – you want to be able to keep it under control,” says Mrs Scott-Perget, who warns particularly about some species of bamboo.
“I’ve had clients spend over €30,000 just to get rid of bamboo. And that’s not even the worst of it. If the shoots start creeping into your neighbour’s property, you could end up in court! Most root barriers don’t actually work well against invasive species.
"Always choose cespitose (clumping) bamboo over rhizomatous (running) ones to avoid a gardening nightmare later on.”
Wisteria may look beautiful trailing elegantly up a wall – but be careful. Its roots can cause serious damage to foundations, especially in newer houses with a shallow footing.
“If the roof is low, wisteria can even sneak its way up between the tiles. This fast-growing, high-maintenance plant is best trained on a large, sturdy structure placed well away from any sensitive building elements. Beauty shouldn't come at the cost of structural damage.
“Even some things that are sold as ‘miniature’ are not.”
Invest in good equipment
Spending on the equipment you use regularly is a good long-term investment. Buying quality products means they will last longer. Having the right tools also means you can care for your garden yourself, saving on gardener costs.
However, only buy tools you actually need – a core set is better than spending on things you may only use once or twice.
For machinery you use less regularly, consider borrowing or renting rather than buying. Apps such as Poppins (wearepoppins.com/fr), launched earlier this year by French entrepreneur Lucie Basch, can potentially connect you with someone nearby who has a ride-on lawnmower or electric chainsaw you can use.
The platform, which takes a small commission, displays objects available in your area and lets you book what you need. The aim is to make sharing more popular than shopping.
Finally, don’t throw away tools that have broken without trying to fix them first. You can easily replace things like handles, which can become bent or broken from overuse.
Save on water bills
Collect rainwater in tubs or barrels connected to gutters and downpipes, then prepare the soil well to make the most of your watering.
“You have to make sure the water is going deep into the soil, so good soil preparation with enough compost, loosening up the soil, helps,” says Mrs Scott-Perget. “Mulching will limit evaporation and the development of weeds.”
She adds that if plants are chosen well for the soil type and location, they should not need watering after the first year or two of becoming established.
Recycle
Various things can be used for mulch to spread on the soil surface, including chippings, grass clippings, homemade compost, unused sand or gravel.
In terms of garden decoration and furniture, re-using items can also save a lot of money, explains Mrs Scott-Perget, who has made a bird bath out of old pots and plates and built a climbing structure using metal rebar (usually used to reinforce concrete).
“I barely paid anything for it and it looks wonderful,” she says. “If I had bought something similar in a shop it would have cost much more.”
Think about what you have at home, from saving vegetable peelings for compost, to making use of branches to make structures for climbing plants.
“It’s about being creative with what you’ve got”.
Choosing a gardener
Even if you need the help of a gardener for larger tasks, try to do as much of the more manageable tasks (waste collection, cleaning) yourself.
When it comes to choosing a gardener, do your homework and compare a few different quotes. Personal recommendations are always a good idea, and Mrs Scott-Perget suggests looking for someone who has training. Communication is also key.
If you pay tax in France, you could be eligible for tax credits of up to 50% of your annual garden maintenance costs, up to €5,000, via CESU (chèque emploi service universel), a form of direct employment that helps simplify employing someone such as a gardener.
Alternatively, you can also save money by employing a firm that has an accreditation for services à la personne, which means their work will give rise to a tax credit.
