In Haute-Ajoie, a municipality created in 2009 by the merger of Chevenez, Damvant, Réclère, Roche-d’Or and Rocourt, gardens often sit in open countryside, between forests and pastures. Hiring a gardener in Haute-Ajoie means handing a professional the mowing of large lawns, hedge trimming, tree pruning or the restoration of a plot that has got ahead of you. Your request is passed on to a landscape gardener in the region, who will contact you to prepare a free quote.
Climate and terrain in Haute-Ajoie
The municipality lies on the French border, in a landscape of countryside and forest, where visitors come to see the Réclère caves, among other things. The climate is that of the Jura: winters are cold and long, snow tends to settle, and late frosts can strike well after the first fine days. Ajoie is nonetheless milder than the higher parts of the canton.
The soils are limestone: they drain quickly, dry out easily in summer and are poorly suited to plants that need acid soil, such as rhododendrons or blue hydrangeas. Choosing the right plants, adding compost and mulching therefore matter more here than elsewhere. In the five villages, many plots are large, open to the wind and bordered by hedges or the edge of the forest, which multiplies the areas to maintain.
The gardening year in Haute-Ajoie
Spring
The ground takes a while to warm up and late frosts remain a risk: it is best to wait before putting out tender plants or sowing directly in the ground. This is the time to clear the borders, prune shrubs that flower in summer, reseed the lawn and do the first mowings, without cutting too short after a long winter.
Summer
Limestone soils dry quickly. Infrequent but deep watering, mulch around plantings and mowing at a sensible height help the lawn get through dry spells. On large areas, the mowing schedule takes some organising: it is one of the tasks most often delegated. Country hedges are trimmed with the wildlife they shelter in mind.
Autumn
Leaves from countryside trees fall in large quantities on lawns and paths: regular clearing stops the grass from being smothered. It is also the season for planting trees and shrubs, a last round of pruning, tidying the borders and preparing fragile plants before the cold.
Winter
The cold is long and snow is frequent. Trees can be pruned while dormant, when the structure of the branches is clearly visible, and branches weighed down with snow above roofs, access routes and fences need watching. A garden at rest is a good time to prepare spring projects: planting plan, earthworks, quotes.
The most requested work in Haute-Ajoie
Mowing large lawns
Country house plots are large, and the grass grows fast in spring. A lawn mowing and care service gives you a tidy lawn without spending your weekends on it, including on slopes or sprawling plots.
Country hedges
Hedges are very much part of the Ajoie countryside: they mark property boundaries and shelter from the wind. Regular hedge trimming keeps them dense, stops them spreading onto the neighbour’s land and makes them easier to maintain over time.
Tree pruning
With forests close by and large trees in the gardens, pruning and felling come up often, especially after a heavy snowy winter. A professional works with the right equipment and can advise you on what should be pruned or removed.
Upkeep of country house gardens
For a second home or a house where you are often away, regular garden maintenance stops the plot from going wild between stays. The gardener visits according to the seasons: weeding, pruning, leaf clearing, restoration.
Garden creation and landscaping
If the plot needs rethinking, garden creation and landscape design let you choose plants suited to the limestone soil and the Jura climate, rather than fighting them.
Worth checking before certain work
Some projects are regulated: felling trees, planting hedges on a property boundary, building a pergola, a shelter, a wall or a pool. The rules depend on the canton and the municipal regulations: check with the municipality before you start. The professional who contacts you can guide you on the steps to take.
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 Haute-Ajoie
Gardeners in the region also work in Porrentruy and Alle. You can also see the page on gardeners in the canton of Jura or browse all the areas we cover.
Frequently asked questions
Does a gardener work in the villages of Haute-Ajoie such as Damvant or Réclère?
Your request is passed on to a professional landscape gardener in the region. Give the village and the garden’s address in the form: the professional who contacts you will then confirm whether they can work at your property.
When should country hedges be trimmed in Haute-Ajoie?
Hedges are trimmed outside nesting periods, and it is best to avoid frosty spells. A gardener will advise you on the right time depending on the hedge species and its condition.
Do limestone soils cause problems for the garden?
They drain quickly and are poorly suited to acid-soil plants. By choosing suitable plants, adding compost and mulching, you can still get lovely results. A landscape gardener can help you select the right species.
Can I have the garden of a second home looked after?
Yes, it is a common request. The gardener can visit at a rhythm suited to the seasons, even when you are away, to mow, prune, clear leaves and keep the plot in order.
Is the quote really free?
Yes, the quote is free and with no obligation. You receive it after describing your work, and you then decide freely whether to accept it.