Gardening

La Batonniere is situated in 8 1/2 acres and therefore the care of the grounds requires frequent and careful interventions.  The grounds are divided into 6 distinct areas:

  1. The front paddocks; the two fields separated by the long driveway.

  2. The rear paddocks; these are located behind the property and currently fenced off as one large field.

  3. The formal area; this includes the gravel and circular grass rounds at the very from of the house

  4. The pool zone; this is the area of grass surrounding the pool leading to the pool house and the car port

  5. Rear garden; this is the patch of lawn directly behind the house stretching to the rear paddocks. This zone also stretches to the size of the house leading right up to the wall flanking the stone wall.

  6. Driveway and parking zone; this includes the driveway flanked by the lights and grass verges leading down to the car port.

Gardening

  • Front Paddocks

    These are currently looked after by Jardin de Moulin (Alexandra 06 84 46 95 66) who have the code (1789) for the chain protecting the property. They come approximately one a month.

    Jardin de Moulin can also be called upon to do other large gardening tasks such as tree surgery and landscaping.

    However, there are young fruit trees scattered throughout these paddocks that require periodic pesticide spraying. Click for schedule.

    The cypress trees that line the drive way are new and we would like to be kept up to date on how they are progressing.

  • Rear Paddocks

    These are fenced off and used by our neighbour (William Crechet 06 29 40 50 02) who has also agreed to maintain it.

    \The field is used by their two hobby cows, Cinderella and Peach.

  • Formal Area

    These need to be maintained to a high standard whenever anyone is in residence. This includes making sure the grass rounds are cut neatly, the rose beds weeded and the hedge properly trimmed. The bamboo zone is difficult to keep under control but the bamboo and brambles need to be cut back regularly to avoid a more complicated and costly intervention.

    The gravel will require weeding or use of a powerful weed killer.

    The wisteria should not be allowed to grow so that it prevents closure of the shutters.

    The other green growth at the foot of the house should also be kept under control.

    Ivy should not climb the walls of the house or garage.

  • Pool Zone

    This simply requires keeping the grass cut and tending to the lavender, roses and palm trees. The grass surrounding the pool may need to be strimmed.

    During the summer session this area will probably require cutting at least twice a month.

  • Rear Garden

    This simply requires cutting whilst taking care of the two young trees. The border with the flower bed flanking the patio wall should be kept neat. The hedges need to be trimmed periodically to remain tidy.

  • Driveway

    Any work done in this area should be mindful of the driveway lights as they are easily damaged if driven into.

    The hydrangeas need some pruning from time to time to guarantee their yearly bloom.

    The tall hedges separating the driveway zone from the front paddocks require trimming and they shouldn’t be allowed to get too tall. The small box wood hedges need trimming too and they should be observed for disease as early intervention is necessary. General grass cutting and weeding is regularly required.

    Weeding by hand or with weed killer will also be required.

    The area around the trough should be kept tidy and weed/ivy free.

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