Here is a map of our garden kindly drawn by some New Zealand guests in June 2011
Visitors are welcome to walk around and enjoy the two hectares of 'permaculture' gardens at 'Les Mousseaux'. The gardens are bordered on the south by a large wildlife lake and the River Lathan, and consist of a large organic vegetable garden cultivated in deep beds and deep mulch. (We gave up rotavating and digging when we realised this was mainly bringing more and more weed seeds to the surface and caused more harm to the heavy clay than good!) We also have a very large polytunnel which provides both winter and summer crops.
The flower garden was started in 2005 and has begun to mature and we planted up an arboretum from tree seeds sown in 2003, many of which are now flowering. There were a number of mature fruit trees in place already by the pond to which we have added over the years. Fig trees on the south wall of the barn produce two crops a year of delicious figs.
The conservatory was created from the ruins of an ancient 'cellier' of which only three walls remained, constructed into the hillside. We cleared out the trees and brambles, moved tons of old stone, rebuilt one of the walls and put on a polycarbonate roof. The doors and windows came from the local 'dechetterie' (tip). We constructed a small pool and waterfall in the inside corner which is frequently visited by frogs (which surprise visitors with their sudden loud croaking!) An ideal location for a cool glass of wine on summer evenings.
We have two delightful child-friendly dogs (Billy and Bertie), a varying number of cats, six geese, chickens and a Muscovy duck, Donald, who just turned up one morning and decided to stay. We have six or so hives of productive bees with Carniolan bees. Fresh seasonable vegetables, herbs and eggs can be bought and we usually have honey and other products of the hives, such as beeswax candles, handcream and so on, to buy.
