Last Thursday, 24 April, we held another successful Gardening Day here at Château de la Boutinière, and it was such a pleasure to welcome guests to the château for a day of practical work, good company and time outdoors in the spring sunshine.
The focus of the day was very practical. We wanted to bring a bit more colour back to the château pots and continue working on the wedding garden so that everything will be looking its best for our summer weddings. After the winter we have had, it felt especially good to be outside again, doing the sort of work that starts to make everything feel ready for the season ahead.
There was plenty to get on with. Pots were replanted, the area around the château was tidied and refreshed, and work continued in the wedding garden, where weeding was very much needed after the wetter months. These jobs are never dramatic, but they make all the difference. Bit by bit, the grounds begin to look cared for, welcoming and ready to be enjoyed.
One of the nicest things about days like this is that there is always time to stop, sit down together and enjoy the setting. We had a lovely lunch and barbecue, with tea, cakes and plenty of conversation along the way. That balance between working hard and enjoying the day is very much part of château life.
It was also lovely to see colour returning to the front of the château in the large urns and pots. Those touches may seem small, but they change the whole feel of the place. After so much effort spent on restoration, repairs and preparation, it is these softer details that start to make everything feel alive again.
The wedding garden, too, is slowly coming together as we prepare for the summer season. Every Gardening Day helps us move one step closer, and we are always grateful to those who choose to spend their time with us and be part of the process.
Our next Gardening Day will be on 22 May, and we are looking forward to carrying on where we left off.
