Hello from SW France

I'm English, originally from Chester, but my gardening was in Kent. I've now been in France for eleven years and love it. However the seasons and weather are more extreme - colder and wetter in winter, hotter in summer - and the soil is even heavier clay than Kent. I can't get away with all sorts of things here that I could in the uk. The seasons need to be followed more strictly - no planting container grown shrubs and trees in summer for example. So it's a new challenge that I'm enjoying very much.
I love growing a huge variety of plants including veg, fruit, perennials, shrubs, trees, annuals, water plants. A great discovery was the possibility of growing lotus here as they have enough strong sun to thrive and survive the cold in winter. I have a dedicated pond with one huge plant that gives a lot of pleasure. Once I have found out how to do it, I'd love to post some photos. Is it easier if I link to Facebook?
I also have a new lean to to use as a greenhouse, so that is new for me and I am currently building a heat bench with a cable and am looking forward to raising seeds and cuttings.
Always some new project or experiment to do when you are a gardener ;-)
In the veg patch I'm trying a no dig approach with lots of mulch and no walking on the beds in order to have some chance with the heavy clay. So far this seems very promising...
Am looking forward to meeting other members and exchanging ideas and experiences :-)

 

I know you have to build up a few likes and posts first Philomel.
Yoo hooo @Zigs or @fat controller - anyone about please? Can you advise Philomel about piccies?
Whereabouts in SW France are you ?
Jernny

 

Ah thanks for the advice re photos - at least I found that a problem with my iPad was stopping me putting in an avatar - so I've done it using my phone. One lotus photo posted at least :-)
I'm in Hautes-Pyrenées, but right where four departements meet - so also very near Gers, Landes and Pyrenees-Atlantiques. Roughly equidistant (2 hours) from Bordeaux, Toulouse and Biarritz. An hour from Pau, Lourdes, Mont de Marsan and Auch

 

Lovely part of la belle France. Envy you those wild flowers that no longer exist here in England.
Jenny

 

Not sure it'll let you post a link till after 10 posts, but you could give it a go with photobucket

 

Hi philomel and welcome to GC. It's a great forum and you'll get lots of advice and fun on here. I'm another Brit living in France, but I'm in the north and the climate and growing conditions is very similar to the south of England, though often a bit hotter in summer.

 

The immediate surroundings are quite intensively farmed and 'kept clean' though there are reserves with wonderful orchids and the verges have a few plus soapwort and lots of cuckoo flower or milkmaids. The Pyrenees of course has its own fabulous flora that even now I am only beginning to find.
You are near loads of wonderful gardens though, if you enjoy walking round other people's.... Sissinghurst, Great Dixter, Nyman's ooh brings back memories :-)

 

yes , I know all of these ,
Jenny

 

Thanks Zigs and hello eve. Thanks for the welcome. Yes, I'm looking forward to finding my way around :-) lovely to hear it's a friendly helpful forum..

 

I still vividly remember this field of wild yellow orchids in SW France . If only they were still here...
Jenny

 

Hi and welcome

 

Hi ....welcome to GC

 

Ah, Autumn Bliss - always been my favorite raspberry :-)) thanks for your welcome