Grower’s digest - September 2019

Aim high with your hedge fund

As summer fades into early autumn, it is the perfect time to trim hedges and bushes.

A great solution for accessing high ones without using a step-ladder is using an extendable taille-haie (hedge-trimmer) – in France called either sur perche (on a pole) or téléscopique (telescopic).

Brands such as Ryobi (pictured above), sold at Leroy Merlin, come in a range of sizes and prices.

Have your own bulb moment

Bulb or onion planting is made easy by handy gadgets designed for the job.

Gardena sells one made of high quality steel that features a depth gauge and automatic opening using a little joystick.

With a 25-year warranty, it is available in most garden centres or from www.gardena.com .

To plant on a much larger scale, try a planteuse mono-rang à bulbilles d’oignons, available from www.terrateck.com

Pick a pear or two

Readers lucky enough to have their very own poirier (pear tree) will be eyeing the ripening goodies from August to October.

However, do not wait for the delicate fruits to fall to the ground.

Pick by hand by placing a finger on the stalk before lifting the fruit to gently detach it; if ready, it will come off without much effort.

Next step: plan your menu – use them in compotes, jams, crumbles or tarts.

Or for a delicious starter, reach for the Roquefort and walnut oil dressing!

Insta-jardins

Social media app Instagram is a brilliant way to enjoy other people’s gardens in France, with everyone from chateau visitors to chambre d’hôtes owners posting seasonal snaps and quirky updates from their gardens (users can search using the hashtag #jardins or #jardinage).

This month’s image is from the chateau at Saint- Germain-en-Laye and was one of the winners in a photography competition held by Rendez-vous aux Jardins in June. It was taken by instagrammer marieanne_homond