Gardening and Nature Group
Next Meeting: Saturday, 25th April near Bagnoles de l’Orne (61)
The Annual Plant Swap 2026 will take place in Stephen and Julia’s garden (or in their barn conversion if it is raining) from 2.00 p.m. on Saturday 25 April. (Tea will be served from 3.00 p.m.)
The venue 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 if you plan to attend and to receive directions and a map.
Parking
There is space for around 8 cars without congestion.
You may therefore wish to share a car if possible.
If the parking area is full, additional parking is available nearby.
Transport
If you would like to attend but do not have transport, please get in touch and we will see if we can help.
Participation
The event is free for EuroMayenne members and their partners, but please bring a cake, cakes, or a packet of biscuits to share.
Tea, coffee, juice and other refreshments will be provided.
For non-members, or for anyone who does not bring cake or biscuits, a contribution of €3 is requested.
Plant Swap
You are very welcome to attend even if you do not have plants or seedlings to bring.
However, if you do have any surplus plants or seedlings, please bring them along (preferably labelled). We will also 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!
