Gardening and Nature Group
Next Meeting: Friday, 13th February in Mayenne
We’re starting the new gardening year afresh with a practical, hands-on session.
The February meeting will be organised around two activity groups, giving everyone the chance to take part, share experiences, and ask questions:
Activity 1: Asian Hornets 🐝
● Current situation.
● Prevention and monitoring.
● Trapping methods and good practice.
Activity 2: Garden Tools 🛠
● Cleaning and sharpening secateurs and other blades.
● Favourite tools and why.
● Things to avoid when buying.
We will divide into two groups for the two activities, and then swap over, followed by a tea/coffee break. ☕
After the break, we’ll come together for a:
● Seed swap 🌱- Please bring any spare seeds, in labelled packets)
● Gardeners’ Question Time ❓– a chance to raise concerns, problems, or plans for the start of the year and benefit from the group’s collective experience.
Where
● The Refectory (ground floor), Maison des Associations, 130 rue de la Visitation, 53100 Mayenne.
Time
● From 2.30 to 4.30 p.m.
What to bring
● Your favourite gardening tool (homemade or bought).
● Spare seeds for swapping.
● Be ready to share advice on planting conditions (sun, shade, soil), plant needs, tips, and tricks that have worked for you.
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 (Gardening) | stephen.bostock@outlook.com | 02 33 66 93 11 |
| Mic Dufrasne (Nature) | mic.dufrasne@gmail.com | 06 77 97 06 18 |
Plans for the 2025/26 Year
| Date | Venue / Time | Topic |
| 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.) | Companion planting, vegetable plot planning and composting. |
| 25 April | Stephen and Julia’s garden, Normandie. (p.m.) | Plant Swap and afternoon tea. |
| 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!
