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After last week's excitement about the ladybird party on the BBC allotment, I was delighted to learn that the UK Ladybird Survey had a stand at this year’s Gardeners' World Live.There’s always a few wildlife charities at the show and each year I

Aquatic planting basket, 20cm diameter x2Aquatic compost or heavy loamEngineering bricks x2Prepare your container by filling in any holes in the bottom with waterproof sealant. Leave to dry, then paint the inside of the pot with waterproof paint. When that is dry

at a pond margin. It can be divided or grown from seed in spring.Myosotis scorpioidesThis miniature water lily spreads about 30cm (12in), with each flower and leaf being just 2.5cm (1in) in size. Given a sunny position it will flower from June

At certain times of the year, as I look out over my back garden, I see a huge heron perched on the chimney stacks of the next street. It's an infrequent, but fairly regular visitor and I often wonder what is attracting it. Our garden pond, up

the pig deliberately throws out tasty morsels to attract squirrels for an early morning gossip. The cats spend all day long waiting to charge out through the cat-flap after them, but always to no avail.When I first saw the jay, it startled and flew up

in daylight until nearly 10pm, I now find that it is dark outside whilst I sit at the laptop and do a bit of writing. Now, as I sit with the French windows wide open, it really is very dark out there, but every now and then I catch a glimpse of a pale shape

, deer numbers have been increasing almost unchecked, and we now have more of them in the UK than at any other time in the last 1000 years. I just wonder what sort of comments this post would attract if I suggested reintroducing wolves might be the answer

June - August20 minutesRue, Ruta graveolens 'Jackman's Blue'Miniature patio roses x2Pale green thyme, Thymus pulegioides 'Foxley'Garlic chives x3Small lavender, such as 'Munstead' x3Window boxCrocksPeat-free multi-purpose compostPlace the crocks

summer cutting patch.Growing summer-flowering plants to attract bees.Planting ideas for late-summer colour.Learn how to plant up a summer hanging basket.

My two compost bins are being very productive. As well as yielding their first crop of usable compost, now spread over back and front gardens to great effect, they are also home to a heaving mass of wildlife. Every time I open the lids a great cloud