Troistorrents, in the Val d’Illiez above Monthey, is a municipality of chalets, meadows and forests, with the village of Morgins close to the French border. Here, a garden has to be planned around the slope, the snow and the forest edge. A gardener in Troistorrents can take care of routine upkeep, brush clearing, tree pruning or restoring the grounds before winter, whether you live here all year or only for part of it.
Climate and terrain in Troistorrents
The municipality belongs to Valais and the Rhône valley, whose climate is rather dry and sunny, with little rain and hot summers. Further up the Val d’Illiez the altitude rises: winters are cold and the snow settles in, especially around Morgins. Depending on where you are, the same canton therefore brings summers that dry out the soil and winters that bury it.
The terrain is made up of chalets surrounded by meadows and forests. Gardens are often on a slope, sometimes in full sun, sometimes in the shade of the fir trees. A slope does not hold water the way level ground does: the soil dries quickly in summer, and run-off can wash away the thin topsoil after a storm. The neighbouring meadows need regular mowing to stop them turning to scrub, and the forest edge tends to creep towards the garden.
The gardening year in Troistorrents
Spring
The snow melts later at altitude, so the garden wakes up in stages. This is the time to tidy the beds, pick up branches brought down by the weight of the snow, check the state of fences and low walls, then start mowing again once the grass picks up. Re-seeding a lawn or a restorative pruning is also prepared at this time, once the ground has drained.
Summer
The Valais summer is hot and dry: watering becomes the main concern, especially for flower beds, young plantings and vegetable patches. Watering early or late in the day, mulching the soil and choosing suitable plants all limit losses. Meadows and banks are mown or cleared regularly to keep the area around the chalet open.
Autumn
This is the season for the big preparation jobs. Leaves are raked up, hedges and shrubs are trimmed, trees whose branches come close to the roof or power lines are pruned, and the meadows get a final cut. Seasonal planting is often done now, before the cold sets in.
Winter
The garden is resting, but it needs preparing. Sensitive plants must be protected, outdoor irrigation drained to avoid frost damage, furniture put away, and anything that might give way under the snow checked. Bare trees are easier to assess: winter is also a practical time to spot what needs pruning.
The most requested work in Troistorrents
Chalet garden maintenance
Many owners are not on site all year. Regular garden maintenance stops the grounds from turning to scrub between stays: weeding, cleaning the surroundings, light pruning and tidying before the season begins or ends. The gardener can also call by to check the grounds after snow or a storm.
Meadow mowing
Around chalets, meadows are larger and more uneven than a town lawn. Lawn mowing and care is adapted to the slope and the size of the plot, using suitable equipment. Regular mowing keeps the surroundings tidy and limits the spread of brambles and brush.
Tree pruning
There are plenty of trees in the municipality, and branches close to a roof, a path or a power line deserve watching, particularly after a winter heavy with snow. Tree pruning and removal is best left to a professional, especially as working on a slope calls for caution.
Brush clearing and restoring the grounds
Neglected land quickly fills with brambles, young shoots and tall grass, especially near the forest. As part of landscape design or a restoration, the gardener clears, cleans and reshapes the ground, before possibly replanting or creating new areas.
Hedge trimming
Hedges mark boundaries and shelter from the wind. Hedge trimming is done according to the species and the season, taking birds and growth into account: regular trimming keeps a hedge dense and stops it spilling onto the path or into the neighbour’s plot.
Retaining walls and gabions
On sloping ground, a gabion or retaining wall holds back the soil, creates terraces and makes it possible to build level areas. Drainage and soil stability are important points, which a professional assesses on site.
To check before certain work
Some work depends on rules that vary by canton and by municipal regulation. This is the case for tree felling, hedges on a property boundary and garden constructions such as a pergola, a shelter, a wall or a pool. Before starting, ask the municipality of Troistorrents what applies to your plot. The landscape gardener who responds to your request can also point you towards the steps to consider.
Making a request
- You describe your project online: type of garden, condition of the grounds, what you would like to do.
- A professional landscape gardener from the area contacts you and visits the garden if necessary.
- You receive a free quote and are free to accept it or not.
To get started, you can request a quote.
Around Troistorrents
If your property is in the valley, you can also look at the page for Monthey or Collombey-Muraz. For a wider view, see the page gardener in the canton of Valais, or all areas covered in French-speaking Switzerland.
Frequently asked questions
Can a gardener look after my chalet while I am away?
Yes, this is a common request. Say in your request when you are away and what you expect: mowing, brush clearing, cleaning the surroundings or a check after the snow. The landscape gardener will then suggest a suitable visiting schedule.
Do I need to water the garden in summer in Troistorrents?
The Valais climate is dry and hot in summer, and sloping ground dries out quickly. Flower beds, young plants and the vegetable patch need water regularly. Automatic irrigation can be useful, provided it is drained before the frost.
Can a sloping meadow be mown?
Yes, with suitable equipment and an operator used to steep ground. A slope calls for caution and sometimes a different tool from a standard mower. The gardener assesses the terrain before preparing the quote.
What should I do in the garden before winter in Morgins and Troistorrents?
Rake up the leaves, prune what needs pruning, cut back fragile branches, protect sensitive plants and drain the outdoor irrigation. Put away the garden furniture as well. This autumn round avoids nasty surprises under the snow.
Is the quote really free?
Yes, the quote is free and with no obligation. Your request is passed on to a professional landscape gardener from the area, who contacts you, looks at the garden if needed and leaves you free to accept or not.