Introduction

[Le Doazac]

Hi,
Thanks for the welcome. We've a living in the SW of France at the moment. I'm trying to establish a veg patch and redesign the garden so will have lots of questions especially associated with what grows where and how to cope with the soil type. It's clay base and gets VERY dry in the summer and VERY heavy and wet in the winter.

[Nicos]

Hi there from Normandy!!...and welcome to the Vine!

Area 82???...very pretty

I'm developing our garden too- over the past 3 years we've varied between 35C and -18C
...and yet we aren't as extreme as you seem to experience.
..not easy is it??...I'm beginning to understand why the French seem just to plant bushes now!


There are quite a few of us Grapes living over here- some in your neck of the woods!

[Bigmallly]

Bonjour & welcome to the vine.

[Jeanied]

Welcome to the vine Le Doazac. I'm sure you will get loads of good suggestions here.

[Glutton4...]

Hello, and welcome to the madhouse!

[stella]

Hi and welcome. I find it very different to grow veg abroad. In Italy the season is very short, the locals dont plant anything till June, very hot and all over by Sept!! Good luck

[Two_Sheds]

Hi,
... the soil type. It's clay base

Clay is very high in nutrients though, it's not all bad. Add as much home-made compost and well-rotted manure as you can get your hands on, to improve the drainage etc

[ginger ninger]

Hello Le Doazac and a very warm welcome to the vine from me as well. xx

[Currysniffa]

Welcome to the vine

[chris]

Howdy! Someday I must look into these areas in France, so I have at least some clue what all your frenchies are talking about!!

[scarey55]

Here you go Chris This map shows the regions and departments of France, rather like counties are in UK. We are in the Auvergne region, Puy de Dome department (63) If you look at the brown area in the middle of the map you should find it. There are probably better maps but this is the first one I came to.

Welcome to the Vine Le Doazac from yet another Frenchie. I've been here nearly 5 years and I still haven't managed to get to grips with my garden! To think, we bought here because we wanted a huge garden/field

[Florence Fennel]

Hello and a very warm welcome to the Vine.

[TonyF]

And a very late welcome from me too, I'm in 24 (Dordogne) and have a garden that is very similar to your, heavy clay at the back, very mixed soil at the front where the ground had been worked a little, 350 metres above sea level on top of a hill with some serious slopes. Been here 6 years now and despite all the problems about gardening, wouldn't change it for anything.

I use raised beds a great deal for the potager and because we have a not far off a hectare of woods too, as much leaf mould and home made compost as possible to break up the clay.

Good things is, as I said to somebody else recently, the plant/tree/flower fairs start next month so a good time to be planning and buying.

[Jardiniere]

Welcome but where exactly are you? Near Saint Michel just south east of Agen? Just guessing - put Le Doazac into multimap!!!!!
I'm in the Lot Valley.....see photos etc

[Le Doazac]

Thanks for all the welcome messages - that's really nice. Sorry for the late post but I'm still finding my way around! Yes, we're in Department 82 with temperatures ranging from -13 in the winter to 35 in the summer. It is truly seasonal which we love. Getting to grips with this garden and the potager (veg plot), are going to be a major challenge to me, especially since I can't claim to be any where near competent. But, I've decided that lots of enthusiasm and advice seeking should make up for that! BTW - have to say it really is lovely here!