Confined for a whole weekend at home, you still wonder how to occupy the days.
A siesta?
Why not.
A series or a TV show?
It is an option.
A good book?
A great idea.
What if you chose to go green, without leaving your home and without needing a certificate ... In a garden, there is always, whatever the season, something to do.
Same on the balconies and even in your apartment, as long as you have a few green plants.
Already, the apologies are coming out “I don't have a green thumb”, “I don't know how to do”… To help you, we asked for seasonal advice from Alain Baraton, the head gardener of the Palace of Versailles, columnist on France Inter and on France 5 and author of numerous books.
So we put on boots or at least the pants that fear nothing and we find our roots.
IN THE GARDEN: autumn work and preparations for spring
The dead leaves are collected with a shovel.
It may not be the most pleasant, but it is a must in autumn: you have to start by picking the leaves on the lawn.
“It's true that it's pretty,” comments the gardener.
But we must not forget that these leaves form a film that prevents water from evaporating.
The result if nothing is done: mosses and fungi will proliferate on the lawn.
A good opportunity also to build up some compost for the spring.
By my tree.
Fall is also a good season to plant trees.
“We can do it now or wait a bit longer, until November.
On the other hand, it is good to prepare the hole at least 15 days in advance.
This allows the earth to stabilize, to aerate and this will facilitate the recovery of the tree.
Golden rule: whatever the weather conditions, you must water abundantly at the base after planting.
"
Prune for the winter.
There too, there is work, according to Alain Baraton.
“You have to cut all the shrubs that bloomed during the summer.
Short or long, it depends on the species.
It is also the last moment to trim your hedges.
Roses also need attention.
But you have to limit yourself to cutting the dead branches and giving them shape, just tackling the ends.
"
The last mowing.
The grass is a bit tall.
Take out the mower: "And quickly, otherwise the ground will be too heavy."
Afterwards, you put the machine away but you do a little maintenance beforehand: cleaning, sharpening the blades, greasing if necessary.
She will be ready for spring.
"
Plant if you want.
Winter is approaching but there is still time to prepare for spring.
“If you want to enjoy tulips or daffodils, you need to plant your bulbs quickly.
After that, it will be too late, ”warns Alain Baraton.
And in the vegetable garden?
“You can harvest squash, leeks… but also sow the last radishes that you can harvest in a month.
"
AT HOME: adapting plants to the change of season
Prepare for the cold.
Even with global warming, you better be careful.
“If you have plants in planters on your balcony or at the window, such as geraniums, pelargoniums, consider preparing wintering sails or simple pieces of cardboard in case of sudden frost.
It is now necessary to almost stop the watering, just to wet the soil if it is too dry.
And wait for the return of spring ”, assures the gardener.
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Pot change.
For houseplants, especially if they have gained volume during the summer, now is the time to give them space.
“This is the right time to repot them, to allow them to grow better.
But be careful: the rule is to take a pot slightly larger than the old one, the size just above.
Otherwise, it is mainly the roots that will develop.
For watering, it is necessary, as on the balcony, to space them out during this period.
Go for example from once a week to once every 3 weeks.
"
The question that kills.
Before we ask him, Alain Baraton prefers to take the lead.
“The one I heard 100 times during this period is:
why is my ficus losing its leaves?
In 90% of cases, the answer is simple.
The heater has just been turned on and the plant is too close to a heater.
You just need to move it a little.
"
“The Illustrated Amorous Dictionary of Gardens”,
by Alain Baraton was released on October 22.
Ed. Gründ.
228 pages.
29.95 euros.