Cultivation methods

We plant suitable ground layers for small areas and those with moderate footfall. For larger areas we use minerals such as gravel, pebbles and flagging punctuated by perennials and small shrubs, or meadowland.

- The root mat should be broken up when planting
- The soil should always be dug over, which we use as an opportunity to add soil enrichment products
- Planting holes should be three times the size of the root ball
- The bottom of the planting hole is drained to allow the roots to push down into the ground
- We prefer to plant in the autumn, to make the most of the rainy season and allow the plant to establish itself before the summer
- When planting in flowerbeds: plants should have the same requirements
- We don’t persist with plants which are not growing well
- We add natural phosphorous in the planting hole to help the roots to take hold

- Cereal mulch (provides soil nutrients as it breaks down)
- Flax straw mulch (7-8 cm thick)
- Poplar mulch (6 cm thick)
- Grass cuttings
- Mineral layers (differing grain size, 10-12 cm thick)
- Cocoa pods (5 cm thick)
- Black plastic membrane (temporary)
- Wood chip mulch (20 cm thick)
- Planting of vegetation layers (to limit weeding) and evergreen shrubs
- For difficult grasses (couch-grass): Plastic membrane and wood chip mulch

Mulch/cover should be installed before the winter or summer periods

To summarise: Use organic mulch for fast-growing plants, or mineral mulch for small or covering plants.