A window that creaks as soon as the first cold hits, a gutter clogged with fallen leaves, a flowerbed that withers due to inadequate watering: most of the damage to a house and garden does not come from a sudden blow, but from maintenance that is out of sync with the calendar. Anticipating actions at the right time avoids costly repairs and keeps your spaces functional all year round.
Mandatory clearing and watering restrictions: what the law imposes in 2026
Since April 2026, mandatory clearing applies to 52 departments in France. Property owners must keep their land clear around buildings, and this obligation may extend beyond the cadastral boundary, up to access roads.
Failure to comply can result in a fine of up to 1,500 euros. This involves cutting tall grass, pruning low branches, and removing dry brush within the perimeter defined by your prefecture.
On the watering side, local restrictions are multiplying during periods of drought. Several departments now limit the watering of lawns and flowerbeds to certain time slots, or even prohibit it entirely during heightened alerts. Before planning your summer maintenance routine, check your municipality’s water alert level. The vegetable garden itself may also be affected depending on the prefectural orders.
To find qualified professionals or practical resources for maintaining your property, maison-jardin-services.fr brings together service providers specialized in these seasonal interventions.
Seasonal soil maintenance: the action that most gardeners overlook
Have you ever noticed that a well-watered and well-exposed flowerbed still produces weak plants? The problem often lies in the soil, not the surface.
A compacted soil prevents water and air from reaching the roots. Two simple interventions can change the situation depending on the season.
Mulching: a useful cover from spring to winter
Mulching involves covering bare soil with a layer of organic material (dead leaves, branch chippings, straw). This action serves three functions at once: it limits water evaporation, slows the growth of weeds, and nourishes the soil as it decomposes.
- In spring, apply a layer of a few centimeters around the base of your plants to retain the residual moisture from the rains.
- In summer, mulching significantly reduces the frequency of watering, which helps comply with prefectural restrictions.
- In autumn, collect fallen leaves to directly mulch your flowerbeds and vegetable garden before winter.
Scarifying the lawn at the right time
Scarifying involves scratching the surface of the lawn to remove thatch, a layer of moss and debris that suffocates the grass. This operation is ideally done twice a year: in March-April, when growth resumes, and in September, before winter dormancy.
Scarifying a waterlogged or frozen lawn damages the roots. Wait for the soil to dry out but still be pliable. After scarifying, overseeding and adding compost help the grass thicken quickly.
Hedge trimming and pruning: the legal windows to respect
Hedge trimming is no longer scheduled solely according to plant growth. In 2026, the period from March 16 to August 15 is discouraged or even prohibited in many areas to protect bird nesting. This constraint, often unknown to individuals, changes the maintenance calendar.
In practice, focus your structural trimming on two time slots:
- February to early March, before vegetation wakes up and the nesting period begins. This is the time to shorten evergreen hedges and prune fruit trees.
- September to October, after the nesting period ends. You can then perform shaping cuts and remove dead wood.
- Outside of these time slots, limit yourself to occasional cuts of troublesome branches, without heavy intervention on the hedge’s structure.
A sharp pair of pruning shears and a ratchet lopper are sufficient for most residential hedges. For trees over three meters, the intervention of a professional tree surgeon reduces the risk of accidents and ensures a clean cut that heals better.
House maintenance before winter: often forgotten check points
The interior of the house also undergoes seasonal changes. A few checks in autumn can prevent damage that becomes apparent in the middle of winter when artisans are overwhelmed.
Clogged gutters cause leaks in facades and roofs. A cleaning in November, after the leaves have fallen, takes half an hour and prevents damage that can sometimes amount to thousands of euros.
Also check the window seals. A porous seal allows cold air to enter and increases your heating consumption. Replacing an adhesive seal costs a few euros and can be done without special tools.
Ventilation systems (VMC, ventilation grilles) deserve a dusting at the change of season. A dirty ventilation system promotes condensation and mold, especially in humid rooms like the bathroom or kitchen.
Finally, remember to bleed your radiators before restarting the heating. Air trapped in the circuit reduces system efficiency and can create unpleasant pipe noises. This operation is done with a simple bleed key, starting with the radiator farthest from the boiler.
Regular maintenance, aligned with the rhythm of the seasons and new regulatory obligations, protects both your comfort and the value of your property. The most effective actions are rarely the most spectacular: mulching, scarifying, cleaning a gutter, checking a seal.