Ecublens, to the west of Lausanne, lies next to EPFL and UNIL and combines residential villa areas, co-owned properties and recent developments. A gardener in Ecublens can handle routine maintenance, the creation of a new garden or the restoration of a neglected plot. Your request is passed to a professional landscape gardener in the region, who will contact you.
Climate and terrain in Ecublens
The municipality lies in the Ouest lausannois, on the Lake Geneva side of the canton of Vaud. The climate is milder than on the plateau or at the foot of the Jura: Lake Geneva moderates temperature swings, late frosts are less of a worry and plants start growing early in spring. Winters remain damp, however, with spells of frost and occasional snow.
The landscape of Ecublens is mostly urban and residential. Villa gardens, often modest in size, sit alongside the green spaces of co-owned buildings and the grounds of recent apartment blocks. On recently built plots, the soil has often been disturbed by construction: compacted earth, fill, drainage that needs checking. Before planting or sowing, it is therefore worth having the ground examined, which a landscape gardener does during their visit.
The gardening year in Ecublens
Spring
Thanks to the mild climate around Lake Geneva, the garden gets going quickly. This is the time for the first mowing, for reseeding lawns damaged by winter, for weeding borders and for planting. Shrubs that flower early are pruned after flowering. Late frosts are still possible, so it is better to wait before putting out tender plants.
Summer
Heat and dry spells call for sensible watering, preferably early in the morning or in the evening. Mowing a little higher protects the lawn from drying out. Fast-growing hedges receive their maintenance trim, and co-owned properties are well advised to plan visits during the holidays, when no one is keeping an eye on the green spaces.
Autumn
This is the ideal season for planting trees, shrubs and hedges, as the soil is still warm and the rain helps roots take hold. Fallen leaves need clearing, the lawn should be aerated and reseeded, some hedges trimmed and the borders prepared for winter. Work on terraces, low walls or paths is often planned for this period.
Winter
The garden rests, but the work does not stop. Fruit trees and some ornamental trees are pruned outside frost periods, fences are repaired and spring projects are prepared. Major earthworks and construction are possible as long as the ground is neither frozen nor waterlogged. It is also a good time to request a quote, as diaries fill up once the fine weather returns.
The most requested work in Ecublens
Regular garden maintenance
For owners of villas as well as for managing agents of co-owned properties, garden maintenance is the most common request: weeding, pruning, care of borders, removal of green waste. Maintenance at regular intervals prevents the garden from needing a complete overhaul. In your request, state the approximate area and the frequency you would like.
Mowing and lawn care
The lawns of Ecublens are often heavily used: children’s play, paths, shade from buildings. Lawn mowing and care also include scarifying, reseeding and measured fertilising to keep the grass dense. A tired lawn can often be recovered without starting again from scratch.
Hedge trimming
Hedges of thuja, laurel or hornbeam separate many residential plots. Hedge trimming keeps them dense and at the right height, and stops them spilling over into the neighbour’s garden. A hedge neglected for several years is cut back in stages, depending on the species, so as not to weaken it.
Garden creation on a recent development
A new house or building often leaves a bare or disturbed plot. Garden creation lets you start on a sound footing: soil preparation, choice of species suited to the exposure, paths and planting. A landscape gardener can also propose a more complete landscape design, with paths and seating areas.
Timber or stone terrace
In modest-sized gardens, the terrace extends the living room outdoors. The choice between timber and stone depends on use, exposure and how much upkeep you want to commit to. A well-laid timber or stone terrace requires a stable base and proper drainage of rainwater.
Automatic irrigation
For gardens you leave over the summer holidays or for the shared areas of co-owned properties, automatic irrigation is a real convenience. It also saves water when properly set up, with zones and schedules suited to the planting.
What to check before certain work
Some work is subject to rules that depend on the canton and the municipal regulations: felling trees, planting hedges on a property boundary, building a pergola, a shelter, a wall or a swimming pool. Check with the municipality before starting. The landscape gardener who takes on your request can advise you on the procedures to expect for your project.
Making a request
- You describe your work online: type of garden, approximate area, needs.
- A professional landscape gardener in the region contacts you and visits the garden if necessary.
- You receive a free quote and are free to accept it or not.
To get started, request a quote.
Around Ecublens
If your project is in another municipality, see the canton page: gardener in the canton of Vaud. You will also find the list of all areas covered in French-speaking Switzerland.
Frequently asked questions
Can a gardener look after the green spaces of a co-owned property in Ecublens?
Yes. Describe the spaces concerned and the frequency you would like in your request. A professional landscape gardener in the region can offer regular maintenance with a schedule of visits, adapted to the seasons.
When should I plant a hedge or shrubs in Ecublens?
Autumn is generally the best time: the soil is still warm and the rain encourages rooting. Spring is also suitable, once late frosts have passed. Avoid periods of frost and intense heat.
Does the soil of a recently built garden cause difficulties?
It may be compacted or disturbed by construction, which hinders rooting and water drainage. A landscape gardener examines the ground, can loosen or improve it, then chooses suitable plants before planting or sowing.
Can garden work be done in Ecublens in winter?
Yes, as long as the ground is neither frozen nor waterlogged. Tree pruning, fence repairs and some terrace or garden masonry work are suitable. Planting is better done in autumn or spring.
Do I need permission to fell a tree or build in my garden?
It depends on the canton and the municipal regulations. For a tree, a boundary hedge or a structure such as a pergola or shelter, check with the municipality before going ahead. The professional who takes on your request will be able to advise you.