Poitou-Charentes Gardening

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Poitou-Charentes Gardens and Gardening

Gardening in France

Poitou-Charentes is lucky to have a micro-climate similar to that of the Med, without the horrendous flooding and gales which can strike the southern part of the country. Normally the summers are long and hot, and the winters wet and reasonably mild. This can make gardening particularly enjoyable, as many plants thrive here which would struggle north of the Loire.

In 2006 my husband Cameron Kennedy and I uprooted our poly tunnels (literally!), all our worldly goods and waved goodbye to our five children and four grandchildren in Scotland to start a new life in Poitou-Charentes.

We had been running a plant nursery and landscape gardening business in Scotland, and moving the landscape gardening side of the business to France worked very well. At Kennedy Paysagiste I manage the administration whilst Cameron does the physical hard work!

I will share my gardening ideas and tips with you each month. You will also find details of gardens to visit, some of which are open several months during the year, others which open especially for 'Rendezvous des Jardins' on the first weekend in June each year. With the cost of food rising, many people are turning to the idea of self-sufficiency so we hope to share ideas and information in this field too. And if you have your own suggestions and tips, don't hesitate to email us, we can all learn from each other's experiences.

Sheilah Kennedy

Gardening Glossary

Common gardening plants, tools and terms translated more...

Gardening - Questions and Answers

If there is something you would like to know about gardens, gardening, vegetables, trees, plants, seeds, pest control - and that is just for starters, email Sheilah Kennedy and she will do her best to give you help and advice. more...

Gardening Notes for August

July has come and gone and the poor plants have suffered because of the long hot late spring and summer in the Poitou-Charente area. Our part in the Vienne appears to have suffered more than other areas. more...

Gardening Notes for July

A look at the garden this month Gardening Notes July

Again another wonderful month of the gardening year – but then again aren’t they all! One of the great gardening gurus was asked what his/her favourite plant was and the answer was “the one I am looking at just now!” I know how they felt... more...

Gardening Notes for June

Hints and tips for the gardener June gardening notes 1

With the mix of sunshine and showers throughout May, plants and vegetables have been shooting up in abundance. Here's some hints and tips for jobs to do in June, together with some recycling notes and a question on tunnels. more...

Large gardens and old apples trees

Back in the UK you had a garden the size of a postage size - here's it's a couple of acres (or more!). Here are a few suggestions on what to do, plus advice on cleaning up old apple trees.more...

Gardening Notes for May

Sheilah Kennedy suggests jobs to do this month Tree peony

Sheilah Kennedy suggests jobs to do in the garden now that Spring has sprung! Watch out for aphids, slugs and snails and make sure they don't devour your courgettes, marrows and cabbage! Plenty of handy tips to control these pests! more...

How much do you know about scales?

Fighting the feasting scales Scale insects 1

What do you know about scales? Not the ones in the bathroom on which you stand, but minute insects which can cause serious damage to your conservatory citrus trees. Beryl Brennan investigates the life cycle and treatment of the scale insects devouring her lemon tree..... more...

Gardening Notes for April

Jobs in the garden now Spring is here Physalis

April sunshine, daffodils, tulips and grape hyacinths adding a splash of colour to the garden, buds on the fruit trees, birds building nests. It's an exciting time of the year as nature bring new life. Sheilah Kennedy has jobs for you in the garden this month. more...

Gardening Notes for March

Jobs for March Bird table

The weather in Poitou has been extremely kind during the last couple of weeks; sunshine and blue skies, causing a real flurry of activity with lawnmowers for the first cut of the year. March is a time for setting seeds and sorting out the greenhouse. Here's Sheilah Kennedy's tips for this month. more...

Advice and Handy Tips

Sheilah and Cameron Kennedy moved from Scotland to Vienne 3 years ago. With over 30 years' experience in gardening and landscaping, they are happy to share their knowledge with you, from which plants grow best in the micro-climate of Poitou Charentes to the best use for empty plastic lemonade bottles................ more...

Peace and tranquility in a stressful world

Back aching? Hands always dirty with soil? Need to plant some 'time' seeds so you can keep up with all the jobs in the garden? Not enough time to sit back and enjoy your efforts? Take a couple of hours out and visit the Parc Oriental at Maulevrier - calm and tranquillity personified! more...

Small is beautiful - especially at the height of the summer.

Château de la Guyonnière is tucked away at Beaulieu-sous-Parthenay (79). Not on the main tourist route, it is nevertheless well worth a visit, simply to appreciate the unusual château buildings and the hectare garden created on an island. more...

Hot Tubs, In-Ground Spas & Swim Spas

Warm bubbling water and a cool glass of wine... the perfect combination. In-Ground Spas, Portable Hot Tubs, Swim Spas, plus a stunning range of Cedar Wood Hot Tubs and Garden Saunas. Learn More.

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