Growing Tomatoes on a French Balcony
Turn your balcony into a mini garden: buy compost and planters, ask for tips and swap courgettes with your neighbour.
Garden centres like Truffaut, Jardiland or Gamm vert sell everything for balconies, and many cities have jardins partagés, community gardens where you can rent a small plot. French gardeners wait until mid-May to plant tomatoes outside because of late frosts. In dry summers the préfecture often restricts watering, so check your département's rules before turning on the hose.
- 1
Je voudrais faire pousser des tomates sur mon balcon.
I'd like to grow tomatoes on my balcony.
- 2
Quelles plantes aiment le soleil ?
Which plants like the sun?
- 3
Mon balcon est exposé plein sud.
My balcony faces south.
- 4
Il me faut un grand sac de terreau.
I need a big bag of potting compost.
- 5
Je cherche une jardinière.
I'm looking for a planter.
- 6
Arrose-les le soir.
Water them in the evening.
- 7
Arrose pas trop.
Don't water too much.
- 8
Les feuilles jaunissent.
The leaves are turning yellow.
- 9
Il y a des pucerons sur mes rosiers.
There are aphids on my rose bushes.
- 10
Je peux planter des herbes aromatiques maintenant ?
Can I plant herbs now?
- 11
Je sème les graines quand ?
When do I sow the seeds?
- 12
Il gèle encore la nuit.
It still freezes at night.
- 13
Attends la mi-mai.
Wait until mid-May.
- 14
Tu peux arroser mes plantes pendant mon absence ?
Can you water my plants while I'm away?
- 15
L'arrosage est limité à cause de la sécheresse.
Watering is restricted because of the drought.
- 16
J'ai une parcelle au jardin partagé.
I've got a plot in the community garden.
- 17
Prends des courgettes, j'en ai trop !
Take some courgettes, I've got too many!
- 18
Tu as la main verte ?
Have you got green fingers?
- 19
Mon basilic est mort.
My basil died.
- 20
C'est trop agréable de manger dehors.
It's so nice eating outside.