Balcony Tomatoes and Community Gardens in France
Ask a neighbour for plant advice, talk about watering and pests, and find a spot in a French community garden.
Many French city dwellers garden on a balcony or in a jardin partagé, a shared plot run by a local association, while jardins familiaux (allotments) are rented from the town and often have long waiting lists. Compost, pots and seeds come from a jardinerie or the garden section of a DIY store. Gardeners wait until mid-May to plant tomatoes outside because of late frosts, and in dry summers the préfecture often restricts garden watering.
- 1
J'aimerais faire pousser des légumes sur mon balcon.
I'd like to grow some vegetables on my balcony.
- 2
Qu'est-ce qu'on peut planter en ce moment ?
What can you plant at the moment?
- 3
Les tomates, il leur faut beaucoup de soleil.
Tomatoes need lots of sun.
- 4
Il faut les arroser tous les combien ?
How often do I need to water them?
- 5
Arrose-les le soir, pas en plein midi.
Water them in the evening, not at midday.
- 6
Il me faut un pot plus grand.
I need a bigger pot.
- 7
Où est-ce que je peux acheter du terreau ?
Where can I buy potting compost?
- 8
Les feuilles jaunissent.
The leaves are turning yellow.
- 9
Je crois que je l'arrose trop.
I think I'm overwatering it.
- 10
Elle a besoin de plus de lumière.
It needs more light.
- 11
Je peux prendre une bouture ?
Can I take a cutting?
- 12
T'as des graines à échanger ?
Have you got any seeds to swap?
- 13
Les escargots ont mangé toutes mes salades.
The snails ate all my lettuces.
- 14
Attends la mi-mai pour planter dehors.
Wait until mid-May to plant them outside.
Tip: Late frosts can hit much of France until the middle of May.
- 15
L'été, y a souvent des restrictions d'eau.
In summer there are often watering restrictions.
- 16
Y a un jardin partagé près d'ici ?
Is there a community garden near here?
- 17
Je suis sur liste d'attente pour un jardin familial.
I'm on the waiting list for an allotment.
- 18
Elles poussent bien !
They're coming along nicely!
- 19
Tu peux arroser mes plantes pendant que je suis pas là ?
Can you water my plants while I'm away?
- 20
T'as la main verte !
You've got green fingers!