By Richard Way
With spring finally getting a foothold in the UK, we’re all starting to get busy in the garden. But what if you live overseas?
Moving abroad shouldn’t mean you have to give up gardening, so long as you’re prepared to tackle a new terrain, climate and choice of plants. Here we offer advice and feedback from expats living in Spain and France.
“Do not think for one moment that gardening in Spain is easy – it’s certainly nothing like tending the lawn in the Home Counties,” says Sally Veall, who lives on Spain’s Costa Brava and writes the SpainBuyingGuide.com.
“Spanish gardens near the coast tend not to be flat, as villas are often perched on hillsides. As a result, the best way to create a garden is to use terracing. Many interestingly shaped rocks can usually be found and you should use these to make your terraces with steps linking them. This, in fact, is how the Moors used to make gardens in hilly or mountainous areas.”
The climate in Spain varies dramatically from north to south, and east to west, but as a general rule, frost is rare near the coast. However, winter temperatures can fall to zero degrees. Autumn and spring bring heavy rains and in the summer it can become extremely hot, around 30 degrees on northern coasts and up to or even over 40 degrees in Seville in the south. Your Spanish garden may also have to contend with high winds, especially if you live near mountains.
“Visit your local garden centre,” continues Sally Veall. “These are not dissimilar to the ones in the UK, but are usually smaller. Just walk around and note which plants they are selling. You will find a large number of drought resistant species and frankly, these are what you should go for. You can always add pretty annuals under trees or in shaded pots, but for the main garden, plants which need little water are best. Also take time to go to public botanic gardens and take with you a notepad and pen so you can jot down the names of plants you like.”
Another good tip in areas with a large expat community, is to join a gardening group and pick up ideas from other Brits. There is also the Mediterranean Garden Society, whose members are very helpful.
Adds Sally Veall: “Water is becoming expensive in Spain as it is a finite resource and shouldn’t be used carelessly. In many areas, hose pipes are banned during the summer and there is an extra water charge if you own a pool. Therefore, water usage should be kept to a minimum. Try young plants in the spring as they will need water to establish themselves and the springtime rains can help. If it is dry, then this is the time to use your hose. In the summer, pots will need water every day and if possible use a watering can or if you use the hose, don’t keep it running too long. Always water at night when it is cooler.”
Meanwhile, Languedoc resident and writer of the FranceBuyingGuide.com Alexis Goldberg offers this advice: “Down in the south of France, everything grows pretty quickly – including grass – so it’s important to be aware of the maintenance your garden is going to need. Paving is a popular option and there is plenty of choice of stones to choose from in various garden centres, including some lovely soft Mediterranean colours.”
These days, there are plenty of excellent garden centres in France and many will offer advice on planting shrubs, fruit trees and the like. Again if you are in the south, it is perfectly possible to grow fruit and vegetables; the climate is ideal for them. Many French gardens have old orchards which are already well established and you’ll find it is hard to resist buying an orange or lemon tree – something you simply can’t do in the UK!
Adds Alexis: “French gardeners still plant using the phases of the moon through a Gardener’s Almanac which you can buy in any decent garden centre. It is easy and fun to plant a variety of herbs, either in pots or bedded, and herb plants are often for sale at open air markets.
“Gardening has become more and more popular as a pastime amongst the French and it is relatively easy to find a landscape gardener or general maintenance firm if you require extra help with your space. However, it is often more satisfying to plan your own layout, decide what you are going to plant and where with the help of your local garden centre and take time to get your outside space looking exactly as you want it.”
Richard Way is editor at the Overseas Guides Company.
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