Gardening and Nature Group
Next Meeting: Friday, 13th March in Mayenne
After an introductory talk re. garden reptiles and amphibians, our March meeting will focus on preparing for the growing season. 🌱
This month’s themes are:
🌿 Companion planting – which plants grow well together and why
🥕 Vegetable plot planning – making the best use of space, soil and light
♻️ Composting – improving soil health and practical composting tips
The session will include some practical themed activities to reinforce the various concepts and natural opportunities to raise questions, share concerns or plans, and benefit from the group’s collective experience.
The group is open to all, and where possible discussions will be supported in both English and French to make sessions as inclusive as possible. Feel free to send in specific questions in advance for more comprehensive responses!
Where
📍 The Refectory (ground floor), Maison des Associations, 130 rue de la Visitation, 53100 Mayenne.
Time
🕑 From 2.30 to 4.30 p.m.
Looking ahead: Meeting on Saturday, 25th April
The annual Plant Swap in 2026 will be in Stephen and Julia’s garden (or their barn conversion if it is raining) from 2.00 p.m. on Saturday 25 April. This is near Bagnoles de l’Orne, a few kilometres over the Mayenne-Normandy border (passports not required).
Please email stephen.bostock@outlook.com to indicate attendance, and for directions and a map. There is room for parking about 8 cars without congestion; you might want to share a car.
There is no charge for EuroMayenne members and partners but please bring a cake, or cakes, or a packet of biscuits. Tea, coffee, and juice etc will be provided.
Please bring any plants or seedlings you don’t want, preferably labelled. We will show you around the garden.
General Information
This group is open to all, and where possible activities and discussions will be supported in both English and French, to help make sessions as inclusive as possible.
Non-members are very welcome to attend for a trial session. If you’d like to continue, you’ll then be invited to join the association. We look forward to seeing you there!
EuroMayenne members can be added to an emailing list for the Group to be informed of events. Please email Stephen Bostock (details below) if you would like to be added to the list.
If you would like to accept a visit by the EM Gardening and Nature Group, please volunteer by sending an email to Stephen Bostock (details below).
There is no charge for our indoor meetings but donations are invited for refreshments.
Gardening and Nature Group Contacts
| Contact | Telephone | |
| Stephen Bostock | stephen.bostock@outlook.com | 02 33 66 93 11 |
Plans for the 2025/26 Year
| Date | Venue / Time | Topic(s) |
| September | No meeting. | – |
| 10 October | La Visitation, Mayenne. | Success, Failures / Wild flora of the Mayenne. |
| November | No meeting. | – |
| December | No meeting. | – |
| January | No meeting. | – |
| 13 February | La Visitation, Mayenne. (2.30 to 4.30 p.m.) | Asian hornets / Garden tools. |
| 13 March | La Visitation, Mayenne. (2.30 to 4.30 p.m.) | Talk on garden reptiles and amphibians. Companion planting, vegetable plot planning and composting. |
| 25 April | Stephen and Julia’s garden, Normandie. (From 2.00 p.m.) | Plant Swap and afternoon tea. (Please see above for more details.) |
| May | (Details to be confirmed.) | Likely to be a public garden visit or a nature trip. |
| June | (Details to be confirmed.) | Likely to be a public garden visit or a nature trip. |
| July | (Details to be confirmed.) | Likely to be a public garden visit or a nature trip. |
| August | No meeting. | – |
Details of Open Garden Days for your diary to follow when available
Full details are on the scheme’s website: https://www.opengardens.eu/index.php
There is a small cost for the charity – normally 5 €.
BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine
If anyone is interested, BBC Gardeners World has a good website; and the Gardeners’ World magazine gives free access to a ‘What to do now’ section. This is a week by week breakdown of things to do for fruit, flowers, veg, in the greenhouse and in the garden in general. There is also a ‘How to …’ section. For gardening equipment you might want to check this Buyer’s Guide, which not only shows you the best possible tools for your garden but also some very helpful tips!
