Gardening tips

After the intense heat of summer, September marks a real turning point in the Provençal garden: temperatures ease, rain gradually returns, and it’s the signal spring bulbs have been waiting for. Some are ready to go into the ground now, others still need patience, and a few take advantage of this very month to bloom…

Passed down from one generation to the next, or picked up without much thought, some gardening habits die hard — even when science or plain experience proves them useless, or downright counterproductive. Here are five common myths worth dropping for good, for a healthier garden and less wasted effort. Skip the Gravel Layer at the…

Bees, bumblebees and butterflies are especially active at this time of late summer, searching for the last flowers before autumn sets in. You don’t need a large plot to help them: a few simple habits in the garden are enough to offer them food and shelter, while supporting local biodiversity. Here are five easy ideas…

Despite the lingering heat, August is far from a quiet month for garden bulbs. It’s actually a key moment: some need dividing, others are finishing their bloom and need a little care, and it’s already time to think about spring planting. Here are four tasks not to miss this month. Divide your bearded iris About…

In the heart of the Provençal summer, the garden asks for water at a pace that can be hard to keep up with. Yet with a few simple adjustments, you can cut your water use significantly without giving up a garden full of flowers. Here are five effective habits for saving water while keeping your…

In early August the garden seems to pause under the heat, but this is exactly the right moment to prepare surprise blooms for late summer and autumn. Several bulbs are planted now, dry, before the first rains arrive. Here are five reliable choices to plant without delay. Choose the Amaryllis belladonna This bulb produces a…

August is the true starting gun for autumn-flowering bulbs. Now is the time to plant autumn crocus and colchicums so you can enjoy their mauve blooms as early as September. Here’s how to get them off to a good start in your garden. Pick a sunny spot These bulbs thrive on warmth and light. Choose…

August is the perfect time to get your beds ready for a burst of autumn colour. Autumn-flowering bulbs — colchicums, saffron crocus (Crocus sativus), and sternbergias — should go into the ground now, ready to bloom six to eight weeks later, often popping up before their leaves even appear. Here’s how: Pick a well-drained, sunny…

Summer is in full swing, and your dahlias, gladioli, cannas and tuberous begonias are growing strong. In the heat, proper watering makes all the difference between a flamboyant flowerbed and flowers running out of steam. Here’s how to get it right: 1. Water early in the morning or in the evening Never in full heat:…

In the heart of summer, dahlias, gladioli and lilies are giving their very best in the garden. But July’s heat can quickly put them to the test. A few simple steps are all it takes to keep them beautiful and vigorous right through to autumn. With these few simple steps, your summer bulbs will sail…