Discover the profound value of vegetable gardens through this insightful book. Beyond their role in providing fresh produce, these gardens offer a window into ecological evolution and highlight agroecology as a vital path forward for sustainable agriculture.
The preface by Louis Albert de Broglie, from the Château de la Bourdaisière vegetable garden, eloquently underscores the significance of these spaces and the groundbreaking innovations emerging from experiments across France—benefiting both humanity and nature.
This book spotlights 20 exceptional gardeners throughout France, each sharing their profound expertise and hands-on experience. These dedicated enthusiasts have crafted remarkable cultivation projects that blend productivity with stunning landscape design.
Each garden tour follows a consistent format: an introduction to the site and its steward, categorized into four key types:
– “Paintings” vegetable gardens, often linked to historic châteaus, boasting rich heritage. Highlights include the Gardens of Villandry (37), Château de Miromesnil (77), Château de Val Joanis (84), and the Floral Garden of Château de Digeon (80).
– Conservatory and collection vegetable gardens, dedicated to preserving plant diversity: tomatoes at Château de la Bourdaisière (37), squash at Château de Montriou (49), heirloom varieties at Jardins de Barbirey (21), and genetic resources at Domaine de la Grange-la-Prévosté (77).
– Square vegetable gardens: featuring medicinal plants at Jardin d'Iris (41), guest-table plots at Château des Allues (73), decorative heirlooms from the International Garden Festival at Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire (41), medieval-inspired designs at Priory of Notre Dame d'Orsan (18), and a historic recreation at Medieval Garden of Bois-Richeux (28).
– Vegetable gardens of yesterday and today. From the past: the renowned Potager du Roi at Versailles (78), Caillebotte's solidarity garden (91), the 1741 recreation at La Roche-Guyon (95), and Amiens' Hortillonnages (80). For today: innovative “new practices” like permaculture at Ferme du Bec Hellouin (27), rare species preservation and organic seeds at Ferme de Sainte Marthe (41), and the ecological food garden at Domaine de Baudouvin (83).
While replicating these gardens at home may be ambitious, you'll gain invaluable inspiration from their unique crops, pro tips on pesticide-free growing, and the passion of seasoned gardeners—sparking your own gardening journey.
Renowned journalist and prolific gardening author (Larousse, Rustica, Ouest France, Fleurus, and more), Bénédicte Boudassou is a true authority in garden journalism.
Their Vegetable Garden Secrets by Bénédicte Boudassou – Éditions Larousse – October 8, 2014 – 17.90 EUR
